Re: Servos and Controller boards

Hi Lee,

There are several ways to make your own PCB. The real DIY job
basically requires you to take the following steps:

a) First of all you will have to make the layout (also
called "artwork"): a drawing of how the PCB will look like. For this
you can use several applications, many of which can be downloaded
for free evaluation purposes. An easy tool is EAGLE Layout Editor
from CADsoft. Please visit www.cadsoft.de and download your free
version.
b) Print the artwork
c) Transfer the artwork to the unprocessed board
d) Process the board with chemicals
e) Drill the holes and finish the PCB
Please visit the following site for a more detailed explanation:
http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/PCB/PCB.html

If you never made a PCB before, it will require you to make some
investments: UV-sensitive PCB board, chemicals, UV-lamp, etc. Only
do this if you think you will make more PCBs in future (initial
investment can be around $50-$100 or more).

Another way to get your own PCB is by hiring a company do
the "dirty" work for you. You will have to draw the layout and they
take care of the rest. The result can be a high quality board
without all the hassle of using chemicals etc. I found a company
that can do it really cheap: $51 for three identical PBCs with a
limited size and they even offer you a free PCB-design tool! Just
visit:
http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/Costs.htm

I did not use this company yet, but it really looks promising to me!

I hope this will answer your question.

One last remark: like Dave Fisher indicated, do not underestimate
the complexity and the labour involved. A "first time right" PCB is
a unique thing if you have no experience.

Regards,
Eric

--------------->END<------------------

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Trend" <fredit@c...> wrote:
> on a seperate note, I am trying to develop a simple pcb for a
project (I
> don't believe anyone has one exacually like i want), about how
much does it
> cost to have a pcb made?
> Or, could I do it myself some how? (besides with a cnc.. I don't
have one
> put together yet ;( )
>
> thanks-Lee
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Fisher" <dave@d...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 8:58 PM
> Subject: RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Servos and Controller boards
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "caudlet" <info@t...>
wrote:
> > > I don't think I would attempt to design, layout and build a
servo
> > > motor controller. Because of the closed loop design there is
a lot
> > > more to it than just twisting a motor with DC.
> > <snip>
> > > I don't think you can "stick" build them for much less than
> > > that even if you work for free.
> >
> > Unfortunately, the days of home brew circuitry and 'lashups' are
> numbered -
> > Technology has advanced so much (possibly for the better) that
the
> simplest
> > of circuits to build on the kitchen table can prove to be more
of a chore
> > than the enthusiastic hobbyist would want.
> >
> > Most control circuitry these days is based around digital
techniques -
> > albeit it's only nought's and one's BUT an understanding of
logic is
> > required PLUS most of the logic stuff is 'glued' together with a
micro or
> > PIC, of which another understanding is required. All this is
fine stuff
> and
> > good exercise for the brain. Now we need the analog bit - not so
easy as
> > logic - FAR more permutations of signals and sums ! After the
learning
> > curves of logic, micro or PIC software and analog circuitry, we
come to
> the
> > point to actually make something. First we need an assembler /
simulator
> to
> > write our code, on a PC of coarse, then we need to layout a
circuit
> board -
> > another software package to source and learn. Now we have to get
our PCB
> > made and drilled. Hoping that the board we designed is OK, we
can now
> source
> > the components, assemble the board (you ever tried to solder a
surface
> mount
> > IC ? - lucky if I can even see em !) and test - Damn - I forgot
to program
> > the PIC ! Rush out and buy a PIC programmer, and so it goes on.
> >
> > I agree with Tom, but please, don't let my thoughts put anybody
off
> > innovation - after all if we never attempted to build or design
anything
> we
> > would all still be in the dark with square wheels !
> >
> > Having been in the electronics business for over 30 years, and
seen the
> > quality and price of some of the servo amps (Rutex - Geko etc) I
can only
> > advise anyone just starting out on the CNC hobby route NOT to
even think
> > about building their own controllers or amps - What your Dollar
buys today
> > in terms of servo amps and controllers is FANTASTIC value,
rolling your
> own
> > could be more expensive and time consuming than you think !
> >
> > Rgds
> >
> > Dave Fisher UK
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> > http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
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> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this
to be a
> sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are
there, for OT
> subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
> >
> > NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY
POSTING THEM.
> DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
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