[Swede]

I tend to create a few smallish boards for my experiments, and am tired of paying $60 for 2 or 3 prototype boards. Now that I have a little CNC mill, I'd like to rout my own traces.

The web is FULL of resources but most seem either complex, expensive, or both. Has anyone executed this from start to finish, with recommendations for

1) PCB layout software
2) toolpath/hole drilling software

With an eye for simplicity and relatively reasonable cost?

Thanks all.

[abasir]

Hi Swede,
I tried that but my diy cnc wasn't rigid enough to do it

For my test, I was using Eagle freeware for the schematic/board. Exported it to GERBER (tracks) & EXCELLON (drills) format then converted to G-Code by KellyCAM (shareware). Actual routing was done using TurboCNC.

IIRC, new version of Eagle has 'outline' script allowing you to create isolation toolpath. You can export that to HPGL format and use HPGL/GCode converter (avoiding the need for KellyCAM).

Failing to mill my board, I just used my diy cnc for drilling the holes and cutting/trimming the PCB. With UV method this is what I do to make PCB at home (some double sided but not-plated through).
a. Do the board on Eagle and print the design on transparency.
b. Export the drill locations to EXCELLON format and convert that to GCode
c. Cut the blank PCB then cnc-drill the blank PCB.
d. Align the transparency to the drilled hole, exposed to UV, wait and then develop the PCB
e. Start soldering ....

That's how I do it now. For my normal board (3x4") with about 300 holes, the process takes less than 1 hour.

Cheers...

[Swede]

Thanks Abasir, that's exactly the type of information I was looking for. I'll keep plugging on this, I'd really like to have this capability.

Swede

[abasir]

Glad to be of help. Have fun.

[davesaudio]

what happens when its "not rigid enough"?
yet one can drill holes ok?

does it help to slow down feedrate? or is it typically a
"wobble" problem at the cutter?

just bought a cheap laser printer to try the toner transfer method
so far so good- first couple came out fine

I would like to get away from chemicals completely but still collecting parts.

[anoel]

Swede, Eagle PCB http://www.cadsoft.de/ is nice and I think that there is a tool out there to convert Eagle PCB files to G-Code at.

ftp://ftp.eriskouma.com/pub/cnctimer/gcode.zip

For smaller PCBs (Fewer than 25 parts or so.) I've been drawing them in Something like Corel Draw and saving it out as a DXF.

[abasir]

Originally posted by davesaudio
what happens when its "not rigid enough"?
yet one can drill holes ok?

does it help to slow down feedrate? or is it typically a
"wobble" problem at the cutter?

just bought a cheap laser printer to try the toner transfer method
so far so good- first couple came out fine

I would like to get away from chemicals completely but still collecting parts.

My diy lacks xy rigidity, i.e, xy forces will make my router skew (wording?). Straight lines are okay but the cutter lags when changing directions.

Drilling involves vertical forces (and rapid xy moves) only thus it works as such.

In my case, slowing down feedrate doesn't helps and I wouldn't want to wait for hours just to finish a simple board

I also use the toner transfer but for very simple board (no tracks between IC pins, etc).

[abasir]

Originally posted by anoel
ftp://ftp.eriskouma.com/pub/cnctimer/gcode.zip

Thanks for the link. I didn't know the scripts exist. Once I get my new diy is up, I'll surely try the milling method again.