@JayDMDigital if you only ever use huge traces then it might not matter, but i make much more precision cuts, down to .005" traces and isolation, and you have to drill the holes first below 0.015". this is the way it is done in industry also. it prevents a host of problems, most notably ripping of the via pad off of the board. you also are using a pretty low feed rate which is another reason you may not have experienced this issue.
@anthonyandriano Never had a torn trace due to drilling but yeah, this is just DIY hobby one-offs not production :D I have learned to use the fattest traces I can to aid in hand soldering though ;)
I will try drilling first next time to see if I notice any difference. Thanks.
@JayDMDigital i mean if you havent had an issue yet then there is no reason to change it up, but if you try to go smaller you might want to consider drilling first. ive cut a few boards on my cnc router for .5mm pitch parts and the vias that go with them do not stand a chance if they arent drilled first.
I can't figure out how to export a dxf file of my layout (using ExpressPCB) into Vectric Cut2D (my CAM software). I was able to export a layout of the holes, but not the traces. Do you know how I might do that? I want to use my CNC milling machine to mill PCB's. As of right now I'd have to etch them and then use the mill to drill. I'd like to mill the entire board. Any tips? How much did you pay for the Eagle CAD? Is the PCB G-code an extra option?
@shotgunndunn, I've never used the ExpressPCB so I don't have much to offer there. Eagle is free for hobby/educational use but is restricted to 2 layers and roughly a 3x4 board size. The PCB - Gcode is free. Pcb - gcode dot org
Great project. I just got a CNC machine myself, somewhat in the dark as to what software to use. For now i'm using mach3 and LazyCam. What software do you use for the PCB design and material removal? I noticed some remove all material but the trace, and others just outline all traces. Is there a name for these modes?
@milesmano I use Eagle CAD with PCB-Gcode. I use the isolation (it mills a path around the wires) now. But this video shows a "rubout" of all copper that is not part of the circuit. It takes forever unless you have a tool change with can be risky and really not needed. There is a pcb milling forum on cnczone dot com that I hang out at if you want more details.
I would have liked a up close look at the finished product.
benmc62 6 months ago
@benmc62 Youtube seems picky on providing links in comments (anti-spam I'm sure) so I sent you a link to my Picasa album.
JayDMDigital 6 months ago
fyi the holes are supposed to be drilled first
anthonyandriano 11 months ago
@anthonyandriano - why? I have always drilled the holes second and it doesn't matter.
JayDMDigital 11 months ago
@JayDMDigital if you only ever use huge traces then it might not matter, but i make much more precision cuts, down to .005" traces and isolation, and you have to drill the holes first below 0.015". this is the way it is done in industry also. it prevents a host of problems, most notably ripping of the via pad off of the board. you also are using a pretty low feed rate which is another reason you may not have experienced this issue.
anthonyandriano 11 months ago
@anthonyandriano Never had a torn trace due to drilling but yeah, this is just DIY hobby one-offs not production :D I have learned to use the fattest traces I can to aid in hand soldering though ;)
I will try drilling first next time to see if I notice any difference. Thanks.
JayDMDigital 11 months ago
@JayDMDigital i mean if you havent had an issue yet then there is no reason to change it up, but if you try to go smaller you might want to consider drilling first. ive cut a few boards on my cnc router for .5mm pitch parts and the vias that go with them do not stand a chance if they arent drilled first.
anthonyandriano 11 months ago
I can't figure out how to export a dxf file of my layout (using ExpressPCB) into Vectric Cut2D (my CAM software). I was able to export a layout of the holes, but not the traces. Do you know how I might do that? I want to use my CNC milling machine to mill PCB's. As of right now I'd have to etch them and then use the mill to drill. I'd like to mill the entire board. Any tips? How much did you pay for the Eagle CAD? Is the PCB G-code an extra option?
Thanx,
shotgunn
shotgunndunn 1 year ago
@shotgunndunn, I've never used the ExpressPCB so I don't have much to offer there. Eagle is free for hobby/educational use but is restricted to 2 layers and roughly a 3x4 board size. The PCB - Gcode is free. Pcb - gcode dot org
JayDMDigital 1 year ago
Great project. I just got a CNC machine myself, somewhat in the dark as to what software to use. For now i'm using mach3 and LazyCam. What software do you use for the PCB design and material removal? I noticed some remove all material but the trace, and others just outline all traces. Is there a name for these modes?
milesmano 1 year ago
@milesmano I use Eagle CAD with PCB-Gcode. I use the isolation (it mills a path around the wires) now. But this video shows a "rubout" of all copper that is not part of the circuit. It takes forever unless you have a tool change with can be risky and really not needed. There is a pcb milling forum on cnczone dot com that I hang out at if you want more details.
JayDMDigital 1 year ago
The machine was designed and built by hand by a retired toolmaker. It runs off of a PC running Mach3. cnczone is your best resource for building one.
JayDMDigital 1 year ago
Thanks.
JayDMDigital 2 years ago
sweet
hjvanderlinden 3 years ago