Re: SuperCam & PCB Trace Milling Software

> I haven't ran across the Donuts. I'm thinking of possibly importing
> "traces and pads" using Vector's PLC (Point, Line Circle) language.
> Just thinking, a "stick figure" drawn in CAD, .DXF exported, file
> "edited" by a program could generate real traces and pads, etc.

That

> could be imported back in. A little similar to a "net list", but XY
> coordinate data that would represent the routing. I'll have to see

if

> Vector can EXPORT PLC's as well.

Vector is not able to export PLC data. It can save DXf or Bobcad 12
ascii files. Either of which can be processed, admittedly not as
straightforward as a PLC file.


If you developed a series of point coordinates(in Excel say) that
located pads and donut centers(drilled holes too!), you could plc
them in & paste with snap to place standard pads on each point,
keeping track of different types by layer names.

To develop trace width, plc in the centerline of the traces, while
they are all still selected, Draw offset curve-left, repeat-button,
then switch to the right. A simple PLC with about 4-5 Vector clicks
populates the board with to size geometry. If you designed your pads
and donuts with the tool radius added and also added it to the trace
offsets you would have all the boundaries designed for the tool
path. You could use the hatch or pocket functions to remove large
stripped areas and then take a finish pass along the lines you
previously added.

If you didn't use compensated geometry, the Vector offset curve
function is designed to work with multiple independent entities.
Just select in the order and direction to get an offset curve that
winds around the traces, then a pad, then more trace, then a
donut,then a trace, etc. It will not be necessary to trim the
geometry into closed contours to make the offsets. You should also be
able to offset such that it won't gouge an adjacent pad, if it
happened to be drawn too tight for the cutter size that you selected.


Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService

PS We just received a Tru-Type Centerline font that is suitable for
metal engraving. It will work with Bobcad or Vector, and probably
any Cam program that can make toolpaths from Tru-Type fonts. This is
a sample with the characters: ABCDabcd123

http://www.vectorcam.com/CNC2Try.zip

Unzip the font & copy it to your C:\windows\font directory, or use the
File-Install new font to add it to your system. The font file is
CNC2Try.ttf

Note: Because of the way that most Windows programs display fonts,
these will not look nice in a word processor. However if you place
them in your CAM system, they will be quite clear and precisely
formed.