Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Current playing field

On 01/26/2016 11:55 PM, Lester Caine lester@...
[CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] wrote:

> Exactly the same here. I take the the various hole
> dimensions in thou and manually place them on using
> vCarve. I could create a DXF output of the PCB, but
> invariably there is no hole on the PCB artwork that
> actually matches the correct position on the face plate,
> so one has to approximate rather than just plugging in he
> exact number.

No, since I design the boards myself, I know the EXACT
dimension of everything. The board makers have to maintain
insane levels of accuracy so that drilled holes come out in
the center of the copper pads, so everything is quite
precisely where I designed it to be. So, I can transfer
those coordinates off the PCB design to the mechanical
layout. For a rectangular cutout, all I have to specify is
lower left XY coord, X and Y size, total depth and depth
step, end mill size and amount to be left for the finish
pass, and feedrate. So, 9 numbers. Then, the program
generates the G-code. I can do this way faster than typical
drawings, and then you'd have to go from a drawing to
generate G-code, with pocket routines and offset lines for
the finish toolpath. I doubt many programs could be more
simple than Bobcad/CAM in doing this simple 2.5D work via
CAD. I know it is way faster for me to do it the
conversational way.

Jon