Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] PCB routing with CNC milling machine....

On Mon, 2003-10-27 at 10:46, Jon Elson wrote:

> The Gerber file IS "gcode", alias RS-274D. It is in a very specialized
> style,
> with suppressed leading zeros and no decimal point.

OK, good to know that.

> The original Gerber
> photoplotters used off the shelf CNC controls to move thew XY stage,
> and therefore were programmed in Gcode.

That makes sense.

> But, you probably want to
> cut the circuit traces with a cutting tool, not draw the pattern by flashing
> light onto litho film.

My software package can generate reverse images in Gerber format for a
different kind of processing, ie the Gerber commands would be for
everything that isn't a trace... I think.

> That takes a conversion program, there are several around.

Any that are open source ? I haven't been able to find one...

Kim

> >Has anyone produced one off PCB boards on a CNC mill ? How satisfied
> >were you with the result ? I'm not talking about surface mount stuff
> >here, just DIPs, T0220s, TO3s, etc. I'm just sick of point to point
> >wiring !
> >
> >
> It is a slow process. The commercial machines (LPKF, Quick Circuit) use
> a 50,000 RPM spindle, and a pretty expensive carbide V-cut tool that wears
> out quickly.
>
> Somebody posted a message a while ago saying they were doing PCBs
> for something crazy like $1/sq inch. You can't even get the blank
> material for that little. I saved the file somwhere, but I can't find it at
> the moment. If I turn it up, I will send a message.
>
> Jon
>
>
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--
Kim Lux <lux@...>