Re: gEDA-user: CNC Milling

[Matthew Sager <matthewsager@xxxxxxxxx>]

   I have heard of people using a regular CNC mill or mini mill like a
   sherline.  The real trick is to have a very fast spindle speed ~50,000
   RPMS.  I have a PCB mill that I built, but I still have to finish my
   stepper motor drivers.  The hardest part is the file conversion for
   driving the milling.  I use gcode files to drive EMC (linux cnc
   software for controlling a machine).
   I have been working on a program to convert generic gerber files to
   gcode files that most CNC software understands.  However, it is not
   quite ready for production use yet.  I am still working on the logic
   for converting all the shapes that touch into the largest outside
   path.  If you want more information about converting gerbers to gcode
   take a look at source forge or send me an email and I will point you
   to what I know.
   Matthew

   On Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 6:56 AM, spuzzdawg
   <[1]spuzzdawg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

     I've been thinking for a while about CNC milling as a means of
     board fabrication over chemical etching.
     The limiting factor for the idea is cost. Every premade PCB mill I
     have found has been well over $3000UAU.
     One LPKF mill I found, which was advertised as their 'budget' model
     started at $20,000AU. Does anyone know
     of any 'cheaper' PCB mill manufacturers and if so do the play
     nicely with PCB gerber files. It seems like
     most mills I've found require their own proprietary, windows only,
     software or a conversion from gerber to
     g-code.

References

   1. mailto:spuzzdawg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


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