[zaidpirwani]

Hi,

I have just registered on this forum, was browsing for good stuff, found many, but need to ask this question, I know that this may have been answered already here, but am just being lazy (getting late for school).

I have made my own PCB Milling machine, I can operate it MANUALLY with a joystick, it can drill and move on the PCB, now all I need is a software and the method to connect it to my computer, please guys help me out.

My hardware and all electronics are ready, I have got H-bridges connected to the motor through Opto-couplers, I can also put opto sensors to get the location of the DRILL HEAD, I can use a uC, but I think there is an easy way out there to connect my machine to my computer and start making PCB's.

I have good grasp over many software, none of which falls into this category, I can export to gerber files, I am sure that I can get to it, if I am guided in the right direction.

FYI, I am currently using Windows XP, and planning to update to Windows 7, but I can have a separate XP machine for the PCB milling/routing (what is my machine actually called, CNC milling machine or CNC PCB routing machine??)

Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Zaid Pirwani
IIEE - PCSIR
Karachi

[eSilviu]

Hi,

I have made my own PCB Milling machine, I can operate it MANUALLY with a joystick, it can drill and move on the PCB, now all I need is a software and the method to connect it to my computer, please guys help me out.

FYI, I am currently using Windows XP, and planning to update to Windows 7, but I can have a separate XP machine for the PCB milling/routing (what is my machine actually called, CNC milling machine or CNC PCB routing machine??)

Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Karachi

If you want to use parallel port, there are many software available.
I would go to USB instead, because most USB controllers doesn't have the deficiences of parallel port (interrupts and limited speed).
For free you can try CNCdudezUSB (http://www.cncdudez.co.uk/cncdudezsoftware.html)
next (as price) will be USBcncController (http://www.planet-cnc.com/)
and next (that I know) is EdingCnc controller (http://www.edingcnc.com)

Hope it helps you!

[zaidpirwani]

If you want to use parallel port, there are many software available.
I would go to USB instead, because most USB controllers doesn't have the deficiences of parallel port (interrupts and limited speed).
For free you can try CNCdudezUSB (http://www.cncdudez.co.uk/cncdudezsoftware.html)
next (as price) will be USBcncController (http://www.planet-cnc.com/)
and next (that I know) is EdingCnc controller (http://www.edingcnc.com)

Hope it helps you!

Thank you very much, yes it did help me out, I am checking the free one.....

can you please give some links on the parallel port software and also a little more about the limitations of the parallel port....

Regards,

Zaid pirwani

[eSilviu]

Thank you very much, yes it did help me out, I am checking the free one.....

can you please give some links on the parallel port software and also a little more about the limitations of the parallel port....

Regards,

Zaid pirwani

search for Mach3, Kcam, turboCNC, EMC

[zaidpirwani]

search for Mach3, Kcam, turboCNC, EMC

thanks again, will reply in a day or two after I get a hold of all the stuff you have sent my way.....

[Jesse B]

EMC2 is free and runs on Linux; there is an Ubuntu Live CD with it pre-installed, IIRC.

Kcam runs on Windows, and is also free; there is also a version that you can purchase, which I'd imagine has more features.

TurboCNC runs on DOS; the download is free, but there's an activation fee associated.

Mach3 runs on Windows, and costs money.


Generally speaking, a Parallel port would be the [easiest] way to interface your machine. USB can be done however, and encourage you to try it out if that's what you want to do.

Best of luck,


- Jesse

[zaidpirwani]

EMC2 is free and runs on Linux; there is an Ubuntu Live CD with it pre-installed, IIRC.

Kcam runs on Windows, and is also free; there is also a version that you can purchase, which I'd imagine has more features.

TurboCNC runs on DOS; the download is free, but there's an activation fee associated.

Mach3 runs on Windows, and costs money.

Generally speaking, a Parallel port would be the [easiest] way to interface your machine. USB can be done however, and encourage you to try it out if that's what you want to do.

Best of luck,

- Jesse

I was trying to get this done on Windows, but will check EMC2

KCam has now become SHAREWARE

Don't want to run on DOS< so no TurboCNC

Will try the Mach3....

Thanks, really appreciate it...

[capri01]

hi Zaid,

its been really a great effort to design your own machine from scratch. I was curious to know about your cnc hardware since PCB drilling requires a considerable amount of accuracy and, Would you provide more details on the joystick?

Thanks and Regards.

[zaidpirwani]

hi Zaid,
its been really a great effort to design your own machine from scratch. I was curious to know about your cnc hardware since PCB drilling requires a considerable amount of accuracy and, Would you provide more details on the joystick?
Thanks and Regards.

Hi capri01,

Actually this is more of a mechanical project for me then an ELECTRONICS one, as I am in Industrial Elctronics, in my first year of studies, I made this machine cause I wanted to, am very fascinated by CNC's and just needed to do something MECHANICALLY, hence all the parts were made by me and my colleague at the institute.

My hardware is quite simple, the base moves on x-axis and the y-axis is hanging over top of it, with z-axis moving ON y-axis, will soon share some pics and videos after it is all complete and the CNC part starts working.

currently, by using joystick I meant that I was only controlling the motors by using an OLD ATARI JOYSTICK, just to see where the motors were going, nothing fancy...

Though am still a little lost, now am in need of the MOTOR CONTROLLERs as well a PC Interface card and a software, can you help me in that matter, as my OLD motor controller won't work, am getting new motors and other stuff....

do you have any idea or do you know of any good motor controller (only 3 axis) along with a good PC interface card and software...

Regards,

Zaid Pirwani

[zaidpirwani]

Hello,Zaid,
Glad to answer you here.
For the controlling software, i recommend Ncstudio software to you,and the drawing software is protell 99,we manufactured the pcb drilling and milling machine,so i am familiar with the machine,your machind can be called pcb cnc router,pcb drilling and milling machine,if you have any question,please feel free to contact with me.
My msn and email is jcutcnc@live.cn ,skype is lasercncmachine .
Looking forward to your more questions.
Best regards
Sincerely,
Doris

Hi Doris,

Since I am gonna buy some new motors (steppers), need advice on the stuff to buy for the motor drivers and the controller (interface card), I have basic knowledge of Electronics but am on my way on getting it to the advanced level..... I currently need help with making the controller to connect my machine to PC, software for the communication and stepper driver(compatible with the controller).

Just to mention that I am in Pakistan, cannot order anything from the outside, will build everything myself if just guided right.

Thanks and Regards,

Zaid Pirwani

[davidmb]

CNC Control using EMC2
PCB Design using Cadsoft Eagle PCB design software, there is a plugin that allows you to generate a GCODE file to produce the pcb on a CNC machine.

EMC2 is free, there is a non-profit version of Eagle that is also free, plugin is free also.

[capri01]

Hi Zaid,

The Stepper motors and Controller i have got from Hungry, http://www.hobbycnc.hu and it worked so good for me that i didn't have to ask anything in this forum since my membership in sept, 2008. i am having a problem in hardware due to non-availability of parts. from the software point of view, you need CAD or PCB design software like eagle
then a converter to convert your raw files to G-code. then you can use Mach3 the best software for newbies with lots of visuals & more, you may check your local market for the Stepper motor controllers, one i know is in Lahore. "Electronics 2000" but i have no idea what kind of controller they are selling, beside that i have seen so many Schemtics for Stepper motor controllers on the internet. like ULN2003, L297/298, and many more. all you need is a chip with step and direction inputs and that you can connect with your Printer Port, how? you are an electronics student and i am an accountant CNC is Purely my hobby, you may find help in this forum by searching older posts. The worst part of my machine was to get and Assemble the Hardware (Dont ask for the Pics cuz i am 2000 miles away from my machine).

BTW, what kind of linear rails r u using? I will be visiting Karachi in the end of this month, so if there is a chance I can see your machine, i would love to see it.

Regards

[mcphill]

Eagle (http://www.cadsoft.de/) for schematic and board design, PCBGcode (http://www.pcbgcode.org/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcb-gcode/messages?o=1) to generate the code from the board design. Eagle has a free option that is limited by through-holes and board size. It does get "spendy" if you want to make large boards...

Here is some of the work I have done with that combination:

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/mcpi...ball/pcb-work/

[zaidpirwani]

Hi Zaid,

The Stepper motors and Controller i have got from Hungry, http://www.hobbycnc.hu and it worked so good for me that i didn't have to ask anything in this forum since my membership in sept, 2008. i am having a problem in hardware due to non-availability of parts. from the software point of view, you need CAD or PCB design software like eagle
then a converter to convert your raw files to G-code. then you can use Mach3 the best software for newbies with lots of visuals & more, you may check your local market for the Stepper motor controllers, one i know is in Lahore. "Electronics 2000" but i have no idea what kind of controller they are selling, beside that i have seen so many Schemtics for Stepper motor controllers on the internet. like ULN2003, L297/298, and many more. all you need is a chip with step and direction inputs and that you can connect with your Printer Port, how? you are an electronics student and i am an accountant CNC is Purely my hobby, you may find help in this forum by searching older posts. The worst part of my machine was to get and Assemble the Hardware (Dont ask for the Pics cuz i am 2000 miles away from my machine).

BTW, what kind of linear rails r u using? I will be visiting Karachi in the end of this month, so if there is a chance I can see your machine, i would love to see it.

Regards

Hi, so are you from Pakistan.... ?

I am just a beginning student, it hasn't even been me more than a couple of months at my university, I am at IIEE, undergraduate student for Industrial Electronics, in second month of FIRST YEAR.

I am just being a little bit lazy, that's all, otherwise I would have searched this forum first,I have got permission to use the machinery at IIEE and hence have got the mechanical stuff working, I made the screwed rods and nuts for them myself, using simple tracks with ball bearing alongside for support.

Have got Rs. 5000/= from IIEE to work on this, so cannot order from outside Pakistan, I just now want to get a motor controller and an interface card, as currently this is more of a mechanical project for me rather than electronics project, though I intent to study CNCs for long, as I am very fascinated by them.

I just need schematics for the interface card and the motor controller, though have already found some GOOD motor controllers, now only the INTERFACE CARD is remaining, which I have found as well, but am having second thoughts before actually making the card, maybe I will post my schematics here and get them approved first.....

Sure you are welcome to see my machine if you arrive her.....

Regards,

Zaid Pirwani
http://ZaidPirwani.com

[capri01]

Hi Zaid,

Well for Rs.5000/= i advise you to:

1. Use Used Stepper Motors from Dot Matrix Printers. (You may find many in Scrap)
2. Make your own Controller using L297,298. it will eliminate the need of interface Card.
3. Make your own Drilling Bits.
4. Use a good torque DC motor or make a spindle using Belt & Pully.

Look for epson doxmatrix or other heavy carriage printer they may have a stronger stepper motor.
Check website http://www.technologicalarts.com/myf.../xyzsmsch1.pdf for L297/298 schematic as a 3 axis controller. Read a good discussion about L297 http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/...num=1138310274

Use drilling bits as cutters/endmills, buy HSS drill bits and grind them to your need. http://www.majosoft.com has been an attraction for me cuz it has so many useful tips.

Look for a high torque high speed DC motors because AC motors or routers will be too heavy for Z Axis to lift.

Regards

[Jay C]

Eagle (http://www.cadsoft.de/) for schematic and board design, PCBGcode (http://www.pcbgcode.org/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcb-gcode/messages?o=1) to generate the code from the board design. Eagle has a free option that is limited by through-holes and board size. It does get "spendy" if you want to make large boards...

Here is some of the work I have done with that combination:

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/mcpi...ball/pcb-work/

One update to what MCP said. The PCB-Gcode group abandoned yahoogroup and has a site at www.pcbgcode.org.

[Burnit0017]

Greetings, checkout FreePCB, Kcam, free downloads and works on windows. I hope to see some pic’s.
Best regards

[mcphill]

One update to what MCP said. The PCB-Gcode group abandoned yahoogroup and has a site at www.pcbgcode.org.

Last post on PCBGcode.org: 11April2010

Number of posts on Yahoo! board since 11April2010: 59

I have never had a post on the .org responded to...

[Jay C]

I stand corrected then