Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Laser "route" Printed Circuit Boards

Hi Alan;

If you are routing it with something like a Dremel, my guess is you are work hardenering the copper (which work hardens very easily) I know Dremels are real popular for guys making PC boards on homemade machines, but IMO you might try a slower rotation- much slower.

Another thing (again, if you are one of the Dremel users) . I tried engraving some stuff with a dremel and just could not get prescise lines. I could not figure out why until I disassembled the Dremel. It turns out that there is a soft rubber bushing in there the font bearing sits in! Obviously this does not help precision!

-Will

----- Original Message -----
From: Roland Jollivet
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Laser "route" Printed Circuit Boards



Hi alan

Knee jerk response is; If you want to use a CO2 laser, the power would have
to be a bit higher than if the substrate was a wafer of steel. Shiny copper
is THE best surface for reflecting CO2 laser beams and laser mirrors are
made of this for that reason. But maybe that means using 50W instead of 20W
??

What would the effect be of the burn on the fibreglass substrate? A thin
burnt surface between tracks is going to be conductive, maybe not at DC
levels, but definately at RF.

Notwithstanding, those teeeny vias you see on PC cards are laser drilled.

Regards
Roland

2009/11/1 Alan Rothenbush <alan@...>

>
>
>
> I have a T-Tech PCB milling machine that works just great making PCBs for
> "standard-sized" components.
>
> For some of the surface mount stuff, though, it's a wee bit iffy; end mills
> of small enough diameter break and V shaped cutters cut too wide a swath.
>
> It occurs to me that laser beams are nice and thin, and that if we can
> laser cut thick steel slabs, we should also be able to laser route thin
> copper sheets.
>
> It seems like a guy _should_ be able to mount a small laser on the Z axis
> for outline milling the traces and then drill using the existing spindle.
>
> Is this nuts?
>
> If not, any getting started information gratefully appreciated.
>
> Alan
>
> --
> Alan Rothenbush
> Client and Research Services
> IT Services
> Simon Fraser University
>
>

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