PCB boards
Posted by
Arne Chr.Jorgensen
on 1999-10-30 11:57:08 UTC
There is programs that can do this milling. I just can't find it right
now, but I am not sure that you would get a easier job, than to etch
it. To drill all the holes is nice, but you do need a good drill and
bits. I can't remember the brand, but I German firm makes a lot of the
drills for professional use. They are 3 phase motors, spinning up
about 60K rpm. Very nice.
I made one myself, - I used a RS450 or something they use in these
model cars. Made shafts, and use a solenoid for the Z axis. This was
current controlled, so I could control the force it would put on it. I
didn't get the best results, because I used plain drill bits, and the
would easy wobble around. You need hardened bits with thick shafts, and
the are expensive, and very brittle. My machine was not stiff enough to
get high precision, but I had already etched the boards, and the copper
around the holes, would guide the drill bit. But with these more
expensive bits, the alignment must be good, in fact they are better when
you don't have etched out the hole, but left the whole pad untouched.
I have heard that some prefer to drill it before they etch it.
I made all myself, so I didn't bother with G-codes. I made a controller
that would accept HPGL as a normal plotter. Well, I have not made any
PCB board for years, so I have taken most of this machine apart, -
wanted to use it for a test of EMC.
( I wonder if there is a program called Z-router or something similar -
that convert files ? )
I don't know if any of this was of any interest, - I just chat away.
But there is something for anyone that would try something similar,
that is to use a coil motor, or solenoid type of feed. You would like to
ramp the current, and it can be difficult to control it. ( I used a
solenoid ) It will move easy and fast in "air", and punch the board
when it hits. If you just limit the current, you may not have enough
force when it is needed. Well, - have to go, - guess you understand
what I mean. In my situation, it was working okay, but I had to find
some balance between the force and velocity it would move against the
board. The other thing that caused some trouble, was to align the board
and secure it.
//ARNE
now, but I am not sure that you would get a easier job, than to etch
it. To drill all the holes is nice, but you do need a good drill and
bits. I can't remember the brand, but I German firm makes a lot of the
drills for professional use. They are 3 phase motors, spinning up
about 60K rpm. Very nice.
I made one myself, - I used a RS450 or something they use in these
model cars. Made shafts, and use a solenoid for the Z axis. This was
current controlled, so I could control the force it would put on it. I
didn't get the best results, because I used plain drill bits, and the
would easy wobble around. You need hardened bits with thick shafts, and
the are expensive, and very brittle. My machine was not stiff enough to
get high precision, but I had already etched the boards, and the copper
around the holes, would guide the drill bit. But with these more
expensive bits, the alignment must be good, in fact they are better when
you don't have etched out the hole, but left the whole pad untouched.
I have heard that some prefer to drill it before they etch it.
I made all myself, so I didn't bother with G-codes. I made a controller
that would accept HPGL as a normal plotter. Well, I have not made any
PCB board for years, so I have taken most of this machine apart, -
wanted to use it for a test of EMC.
( I wonder if there is a program called Z-router or something similar -
that convert files ? )
I don't know if any of this was of any interest, - I just chat away.
But there is something for anyone that would try something similar,
that is to use a coil motor, or solenoid type of feed. You would like to
ramp the current, and it can be difficult to control it. ( I used a
solenoid ) It will move easy and fast in "air", and punch the board
when it hits. If you just limit the current, you may not have enough
force when it is needed. Well, - have to go, - guess you understand
what I mean. In my situation, it was working okay, but I had to find
some balance between the force and velocity it would move against the
board. The other thing that caused some trouble, was to align the board
and secure it.
//ARNE