Re: Eagle drill-files (was: faster steppers)

Hi Henrik,

Thanks for the information. I didn't realize that you could lay out a
board without entering the schematic first. That would help, as I'd
prefer to use Orcad for the schematic, library and net lists.

Stepster understands .DRD (Excellon?) files?

I haven't figured out anything in Eagle yet, other then viewing and
printing, but I was told it could do Gcode. Now where did I put the
manual I just printed out?

Alan KM6VV

Henrik Olsson wrote:

>
> Alan,
> Well, I didn't draw the schematic in Eagle so I can't help you there. I used
> CircuitMaker5.04 but unfortunatly I lost my own-parts-library so the
> schematicfile won't open now so all I got is the JPG :-((
> I can't say if Eagle can import .dxf or orcad files but I can tell you how
> to make exellon drill files so that you can drill the board on your CNC:
>
> 1: Layout the board and save it.
> 2: Click File/Run and select DrillCfg.ulp - click OK
> Now you have DrillRack file in the same directory that the board is.
> 3: Click File/CAM Processor.
> 4: In the CAM Processor, click File/Open/Job and select Exellon.cam
> 5: Click File/Open/Board and select the board. You must have generated the
> DrillRack-file.
> 6: Click Process Job.
>
> Now you have file in your board-directory that ends with .drd which looks
> something like this:
> %
> T01
> X1121Y874
> X1121Y974
> etc.
> etc.
>
> The X&Y cordinates are in mil's so you may have to make a separate .ini file
> for your controler. I use Stepster to drill my boards. The only thing I need
> to do is edit the generated board.drd file like this:
>
> 'Canned drill cycle. first hole at 1121,874. deep: 130, clearence: 30
> downfeed 50
> %
> T01
> G81 X1121 Y874 Z-130 R30 F50
> X1121Y974
> X1121Y1074
> X1121Y1174
> etc
> etc
>
> The above steps is for Eagle3.55 but I don't think it's any different in
> v4.0.
> I haven't come up with a good way to align the board on the machine table so
> that the drill 'hits' the center of the pads. So what I do is that I mirror
> the board in Eagle before I run the CAM processor and the drill the board
> before I etch it - much easier.
>
> I didn't know it could output G-code direct. If you find out how, let me
> know.
>
> Good luck!
> /Henrik Olsson.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> > Hi Henrik,
> >
> > The latest Eagle 4.1 (?) will read the board file just fine; do you
> > happen to have the schematic (.SCH) file also? I saw the .JPG file.
> >
> > What I really wish Eagle would do is allow imports from Orcad or
> > .DXF's. I'm gonna check their download area again. I seem to recall a
> > "user" file area. Something there?
> >
> > I also want to generate a Gcode file from the board layout. ONCE I
> > figure it out.
> >
> > Thanks again for the files.
> >
> > Alan KM6VV