Re: newbie - pcb type machine

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "_____________"
<ach_ibo@l...> wrote:

>
>
> Thank you for the reply Brad. I will check out some PVC. however, i
> don't plan on spending much (if any) money on this project, and

buying

> a booklet that shows me how to put a CNC machine together won't

really

> help that much, i already know how to do the main parts, the big
> problems i am runnning into are that i have different kinds of

stepper

> motors, and i am an EE student, but i have never used steppers

before.

> So i will probably have to make my own interface. Also, I am not

good

> at computer programing, but i believe i will have to write my own
> program for running my machine since i can't find any free ones that
> are to my liking, although i haven't seen all that are out there

yet,

> so no offense to anyone with aewsome freeware.
>
> Adam

Stepper drivers are simple for this project. If you use 1/4-20 all-
thread, you can use full step drivers as a 200 step motor times 20
rotations per inch is more than high enough resolution for drilling
PCB's.

IF your motors are only 7.5 degrees per step, you can still use full
step drivers and get 960 steps per inch. Again more than accurate
enough for hobby pcb work. And deffinatly main stream for learning.

As for software, there are some very good free versions to try.

If you like Linux, EMC is free.

If your PC is under 330mhz AND you prefer DOS, you would be better
off with Turbo-CNC

If you have a little more CPU power, Mach2 has a demo version with
limited lines.

Cnversion from your PDB layout program is also done by a free
conversion software. ACE is common, but there are others to try as
well.



Dave