Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] PCB Milling with Protel?

Hello Jon,

Tuesday, July 23, 2002, 6:24:51 AM, you wrote:
(comments inbetween)

JE> Protel 99SE is a US $9000 package that has VERY sophisticated editing
JE> features for both schematics and PCB layouts. The autorouter handles
JE> up to 16 layers. The resolution is all floating point, you could actually
JE> design ICs with it, and a number of people design MCMs in it.

JE> This is about 12 generations more advanced than the old Autotrax, which was
JE> a toy.
JE> Protel 99SE also will read in a gerber file and reconstruct the PCB from it.
JE> It will output Gerber files in either RS-274D or RS-274X formats.

Protel 99SE does read Gerber files but prefer it's own generated. Other
gerbers can be imported, but that requires sometimes, some 'tweaking'.

JE> It also has signal integrity, SPICE simulation and PLD design in it.
JE> It does full forware and back annotation between PCB and schematic.

JE> Just to set the record straight.

JE> Jon

And as per topic:
Protel can be used for milling. Sfter the board design is finished, make a
copy of the board (just to be on the safe side). switch to the desired
layer, Set the design rules (clearance) to the desired 1/2 milling tip
width, select everything on the current layer, From the Tools menu select
'Outline Selected Objects', Clear Selection, Export the result to (say) DXF,
'tweak' it if necessary and MILL.

IMHO it is much easier to print each layer to PS, 'tweak' it in Corel
(fonts, Logos ...), and print it again to PS. Send it to the print shop and
for almost no money you have the film for producing PCB. My last PCB was
DIP 32 pin to TSOP I 32 pin (the late has the 0.5mm pitch) adapter for my
favourite E/Eprom burner.

--
Best regards,
Zoran A. Scepanovic

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