Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Cnc PCB drilling machines z axis linear pot

Alan Marconett KM6VV wrote:

> Hi Bill,
>
> OK, I just had a flashback! We do CNC, I wonder what it would take to
> do CNC wire-wrap? I've done wire-wrap for a long time. It could be
> coordinate-assisted, or full automatic. I've always liked the
> "Manhattan" approach. If the pin locations were mapped with their X,Y
> coordinates, and the wrap level Z as three fixed levels... This could
> be interesting!

Gardener-Denver made semi-auto and full-auto wire wrapping machines.
The tricky part is loading the wire end into the wrapping bit. I have seen
some full-auto boards, and the hallmark is that the ends of each wire
are wrapped in opposite directions. I think this is a clue that the machine
feeds wire off a roll, and winds up a twist in the wire at one end, and then
undoes the twist at the other end. It has to automatically strip the ends
of the wire, and cut to length, too. I have also seen a special bit that
strips the wire as it wraps it.

There is also CNC stitch-bond (ultrasonic thermal welding) of wire similar
to wire wrap, and it can also use something like magnet wire.

There is also multiwire technology, where magnet wire is laid down by CNC
tools into soft epoxy. One outfit then has the board CNC drilled and
plated like a through hole plated board. Another scheme stitch bonds the
wires to pads on the board.

It would be pretty neat to have capability like that.

Jon