Re: gEDA-user: Converting RS274D to RS274X

[Jesse Gordon <jesseg@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Gene Heskett wrote:
> On Sunday 13 April 2008, Jesse Gordon wrote:
>   
> :)  Yes, but a utility to extract, and make gcode out of the copper pattern 
> removal, would be a very useful utility. 

I thought about that, but it's far above my math skills.

-Jesse
>  Even if we have to edit the output 
> to insert the scale factors and other housekeeping functions a gcode file 
> should contain, we would be a long way down the road to automating the 
> process.  For my own machine, an HF Micromill, it would be slow indeed as my 
> max spindle speed is 2500 rpm.  Depth of cut control when changing tools is 
> also a major problem because tool projection depends on how tightly the 
> collet is pulled.
>
> This, for pcb carving work, would demand we take it someplace where the tool 
> can be measured by setting it down on a homing switch and rezeroing the Z 
> axis before continuing.  But the outline cutting, done with a 10 mill bit or 
> smaller, would be code very similar to running the copper pattern through 
> potrace.
>
> I have seen boards where the copper wasn't disturbed except for the removal of 
> the outline, which of course leaves large areas of copper that isn't 
> connected to anything, and which may not be what the circuit needs because of 
> stray capacitance.  There are no doubt other considerations, but they are 
> only more lines in the software.  And this way is chemistry free.
>
>   



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