Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Help: PCB Trace Milling Software

Hi Folks,

I bought the Ztrace software a couple of years aga. It does work,
though it usualy takes a few attempts to get it to produce what you
want. It also does some goofy stuff sometimes. Other complant is no
user interface, you type a command line with option switches, so it can
be a little obtuse. Also you have to use a dongle on your parallel
port, which can be very annoying. However if you can tolerate all that
it can produce some good outlines for PC boards. The output is HPGL,
which for me has never been a problem being I use DanPlot, which can use
HPGL.

My opinion is mixed on Ztrace, but they may have a improved version.
Making a cutter and keeping it fine enufe for cutting the board has
proven the hardest!

Edward Rupp

Building my fourth CNC!
Loveland Colorado

ballendo@... wrote:

>
> Mike-Does anyone know of available software that will convert
> >standard Gerber (RS-274X) photo plot files you get out of printed
> >circuit board CAD software into G-Code for mechanical PCB trace
> >milling?
>
> Mike,
>
> DDT (digital design technology) puts out ZTRACE for just this purpose.
> Available on web as demo(you'll need to know a little about apertures)
> ~$300. They also sell PLOTCAM (hpgl driven machine control)~$200. the
> two together will do what you are asking. I don't have the url. Try
> altavista.
>
> Ballendo
>
> P.S. These were written by Rocket Scientists! REALLY! Florida NASA
> guys!
>
>
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