Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Eagle PCB mill output

On Thu, 19 Feb 2004 10:35:25 +0000, you wrote:

>On Thursday 19 February 2004 04:09, turbulatordude wrote:
>> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Greg Nuspel" <nuspel@t...>
>>
>> wrote:
>> > Can some one help me figure out how to output g-code from Eagle
>>
>> software. I
>>
>> > know it has to be a ULP, SCR or CAM process or some combination.
>>
>> The Gerber files are what you are looking for.
>>
>> The data is ASCII and typically does not have decimal places so you
>> need to do something to scale the file.
>>
>> The problem is that your G-code will cut the traces and leave all the
>> copper. This is exactly the opposite of what is needed. You need to
>> cut the copper and leave the traces.
>>
>> Look for ISOLATION or TRACE ISOLATION software.
>
>the correct answer is "dont bother" milling PCB tracks is a rather silly way
>to make PCB's anyway. All you need is: 1 pack of 'LaserStar' paper that you
>can print the PCB mask onto, a UV lightbox (cheap), 1 bottle of developer, 1
>bottle of ferric chloride. With htat you can make MUCH better PCBs than you
>ever will on a mill, in half the time. It's quick and neat, and just as
>professional looking as the ones you get from a PCB house. Use your mill to
>drill the component holes instead.

I'll agee, but a caveat is that the pcb mask must be as opaque as
possible, the UV lightbox may end up being daylight fluorescents
(depends on the board), and I'm not sure about half the time. The PCB
milling bit does wear very fast, from what I'm told.

Having said that, if you want a board that's a 5 volt 3 terminal
regulator with bypass capacitors, I'd think about milling it if you
can. If you want 20 of them, PCB. If there's other stuff, then
probably PCB.

I suspect that there's projects for which CNC is appropriate, and for
those for which it's not.

Harvey