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LDmicro Forum - PCB router short cut

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PCB router short cut (by Samukelo Shezi)
Hi Jonathan

May I request a short cut to your router. I find myself having to "Google" everytime I need to refer. I am expecting to start building it around March next year. And please help with info about the necessary software. Thanks a lot.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 16:44:20
(no subject) (by Jonathan Westhues)
That page is really obsolete. If you're interested in building a small CNC machine, then it would be better to get something like Gecko drives and servos, and use Mach3 software to drive it.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 16:52:59
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
I already bought some 3 x NEMA 34 stepper motors, and some 4 axis drive card from ebay. They were expensive, can I still use them or you totally discourage their use?
Sat Nov 7 2009, 17:08:03
(no subject) (by Jonathan Westhues)
Mach3 should be able to drive that too. And steppers definitely work, and they're cheaper; just not as much speed/power.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 17:16:36
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
Ok! Thanks prof. One more thing I would like to ask you, please: CO2 laser engravers. I read about them in the net. Can they do the PCB routing?
Sat Nov 7 2009, 17:22:55
(no subject) (by Jonathan Westhues)
I'm not aware of any processes to make printed circuit boards with a CO2 laser. The powers to cut or ablate metal tend to be extremely high, especially for something as reflective as copper.

Lasers are used to pattern non-metallic conductors; for example, laser ablation is a standard prototype process for indium tin oxide (transparent conductor) parts, like touchscreens.

PCB routing isn't really that useful, except for specialized applications (like RF work, where you may want to test many iterations of a board). It's easier to buy from a cheap Asian supplier, and get a real board with chemically etched traces, plated through-holes, solder mask and silkscreen, etc.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 18:14:29
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
If I understand you correctly, you mean I can buy my PCB ready made from an Asian supplier. Any internet addresses? I am asking you to spoon feed me now!
Sat Nov 7 2009, 18:38:12
(no subject) (by Jonathan Westhues)
Sat Nov 7 2009, 18:55:08
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
Thanks a mil. I'll give it a try. Though I can't help being curious what became of your router. Seemed like it worked well.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 19:01:38
(no subject) (by Evan Raftery)
I fell on the floor then.
PCB in Autsralia is $340.00 delivered
Much better priced.

I saw good prices on futurelec too but don't know quality & lead time.
Sat Nov 7 2009, 22:13:57
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
Ok. Thanks.
Sun Nov 8 2009, 01:13:49
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
I see the page of the router is still existant, please don't delete it.

Why don't you put your personal photo's on the picture page?

You live near Seattle? Know anything about Bruce Lee? The house he used to stay, his grave?
Sun Nov 8 2009, 15:23:19
(no subject) (by David R)
Hi this is the router that I made,
The controller is A 877 programed with ldmicro using halve stepping it works very will.
I use eagle and pcb-gcode to make the cnc file.
Regards
David
Mon Nov 9 2009, 03:08:34, download attachment CIMG2069.JPG
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
Wow! That's impressive indeed. I saved the picture on my PC. What's PCB gcode? A software or file format Eagle generates?
Mon Nov 9 2009, 07:33:59
(no subject) (by David R)

It is A ulp plugin for Eagle
www.pcbgcode.org/
Mon Nov 9 2009, 14:23:28
(no subject) (by Samukelo Shezi)
Thanks Dave!
Mon Nov 9 2009, 15:30:37
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