[cynic]

Hello All

I have just finished the first beta of some PCB isolation milling software which converts Gerber and Excellon files into GCode suitable for the isolation milling of circuit boards. The software is called Line Grinder. If anybody would like to try it out I would be happy to have feedback, bug reports etc.

Line Grinder works on Windows systems, and is both free and open source.

Of Itself So - Line Grinder, Gerber to GCode Isolation Milling

[Drools]

this looks interesting. I will give it a try. I was able to get the gerber files for Mardus-Kreutz open source driver. Thanks I will let you know.

[cynic]

Just a note to say Version 01.00 of Line Grinder is now out. Major changes

- Added support for more Gerber code types
- The user is now prompted to create a File Manager if one does not exist.
- The requirement for defined reference pin pads on the PCB is now optional. If you were getting "No reference pins could be found on the PCB" messages with the last version you now have the option to open the Gerber File anyways.

If your Gerber File will not open - please let me know. There are lots of Gerber "standards" and I would like to support as much as I can.

Of Itself So - Line Grinder, Gerber to GCode Isolation Milling

[Drools]

none of the files I have are gbr files, this is what I have.

They are in Gerber RS-274X created by Altium 2010 software.

“A typical set of RS-274X file extension names is:

.GBL - Gerber Bottom Layer
.GTL - Gerber Top Layer
.GBS - Gerber Bottom Solder Resist
.GTS - Gerber Top Solder Resist
.GBO - Gerber Bottom Overlay
.GTO - Gerber Top Overlay
.GBP - Gerber Bottom Paste
.GTP - Gerber Top Paste
.GKO - Gerber Keep-Out Layer
.GM1 - Gerber Mechanical 1
.GM2 - Gerber Mechanical 2
.GPT - Gerber Top Pad Master
.GPB - Gerber Bottom Pad Master”
There is more info on this page: Gerber File - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Best regards,
Kreutz

[chuck99z28]

I'm giving it a try

[mefiu]

Hello,

this is my first post here, so 'hi' everybody.
I've just started to give a try to LineGrinder and DesignSpark PCB.
It took me some time to work out the 'mm/inch' settings between these two applications (IMHO it should be one-place-only setup for Line Grinder to set mm or inches).
But after all solved, I've got stuck with "No Reference Pin pads" error:

11/16/2010 14:06:39 LineGrinder.GerberFile: SetReferencePins: No Reference Pin pads were found in the Gerber file. The File Manager thinks they should have diameter: 0.9

Have Reference Pin Pads been placed on the PCB schematic?
11/16/2010 14:06:39 LineGrinder.frmMain1: OpenGerberFile Error in call to GetReferencePinList. Error message is>No Reference Pin pads were found in the Gerber file. The File Manager thinks they should have diameter: 0.9

Have Reference Pin Pads been placed on the PCB schematic?

I cannot go any further. Double checked the settings (ReferencePinPadDiameter value and other places according to the docs) but still LG cannot find this pads...

Am I missing something here?

[cynic]

Hi

I take your point about the mm conversion - that could be awkward to do. As for the issue you reported, do you actually have any pads of diameter 9mm defined on the PCB?

If you do, and the Line Grinder software is not finding them, I am happy to take a look to see what the bug is. Email me via the address on the Of Itself So website.

Cheers
Cynic

[mefiu]

The File Manager thinks they should have diameter: 0.9

do you actually have any pads of diameter 9mm defined on the PCB?

9 mm?
I tought 0.9 stands for 0.9mm...

[cynic]

Sorry, typo, I meant 0.9mm

[mefiu]

Hey, new LineGrinder is available.
Check here for release 01.03 changelog:
I'm not an author but a happy user of LineGrinder and DesignSpark PCB

[Drools]

Thanks for the note, I have been testing it once in a while.
I'll give the new version a try.

[Need TECH Help!]

Hello all,
I have just tried the latest lineGrinder and cant get it to Generate Gcode. Gerber opens fine, but when i press Generate Gcode, i get an error window, see below picture.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Troy

[cynic]

The error you are seeing is probably Line Grinder reaching some windows process maximum. This can happen on large plots. I suggest reducing the "Isolation Plot Points Per Application Unit" setting to 50% of the default value and trying to open and convert the file again. This will make the resulting generated isolation lines slightly more granular - but for most plots you will not be able to visually tell the difference. If that doesn't work try 25% - the default value is set quite high in order to achieve maximum resolution. It can take quite a bit of reduction before thigns start to look a bit pixelated.

[Need TECH Help!]

Thats what it was. The maximum i could set it to is 1500. Thanks much.
Troy

[Need TECH Help!]

Got another It is a incomplete trace to a PCB. Its missing the pad at the other end. The rest of the trace does not get completed till way down in the Gcode. Also note the way this GCode runs. Its 'hit and miss'. Here is a screen shot of toolpath from Mach3, and the part of Gcode.

Thanks,
Troy

[cynic]

>It is a incomplete trace to a PCB. Its missing the pad at the other end.

I have had a look at the Gerber file (thanks for that) and the reason that the pad is not drawn is because it is implemented as a G02 arc command. G02 and G03 Arc commands are not supported yet by Line Grinder. It is a bit disconcerting that this version did not throw an error when it saw them.

On the positive side, I have been working on G02 and G03 arc support - it is quite tricky which is why there is a larger gap than usual in getting this version out the door. Hopefully I should have it ready over this weekend or possibly the next if it slips a bit. In the meantime, as a workaround, many PCB layout programs have the ability to "not generate" arc commands perhaps there is such an option in the one you are using.

>The rest of the trace does not get completed till way down in the Gcode. >Also note the way this GCode runs. Its 'hit and miss'.

Yes, this is a known issue. It is related to the way it builds the lines back up after figuring out all the intersections. I have not addressed it yet because, although inefficient, it does actually run over all the lines and there are other things (like arcs) which are more pressing.

[Need TECH Help!]

Thanks for the info. I havent found anything in DipTrace that will allow me to export G02 & G03 as lines. No worries, as i found out how to export the DXF correctly so i can use my CAM software.
Still, let me know if i can help in testing, i really like the look of LineGrinder.
Will you be posting updates to LineGrinder here?

Thanks,
Troy

[libero0000]

hello,
If possible, I ask, at who uses DesignSpark, the configuration of Gerber setup to export to the "linegrinder 01.04". I followed the online help to create the 'reference pin pad' and the 'Gerber output form'. But I can not find how to set the 'Gerber setup'. i have the error 800 occurred when adding line number 25.
thanks

[libero0000]

hello,
Sorry, I was not precise, I have the error 800 when I try to open the bottom copper (it is a circuit to one side only).
thanks

[dustooff]

Hi all,
I have a problem with my linegrinder setup.
At the settings page, when selecting different 'file managers'
the properties dialog doesn't match the selected manager, but the
previous manager.
So if I have managers - top, bot, drl, msk, edg. and upon opening
the settings tab, the 'top' is shown, then select say 'edg' the lower
sections of the properties dialog are still as 'top'. And from then on
changing 'manager' selection shown values for the previous.

any thoughts, or questions?

regards
Andrew.