Electronics Production Group Assignment

Inspired by the idea of one of my instructors (Ferdi) to produce high speed pcb's without tool changes I decided to experiment a bit with a 0.2-0.5 mm V-point tool.

The test parameters are as follows.

To make the traces: Output section

To make the traces: Process section

To make the outer cut I used the same parameters in the output section and only changed those in the process section.

Here is a video of the milling process and the result.

The result is very promising but there is still room for improvement, more experiments will be done soon to better adjust the parameters.

Making process¶

It’s worth mentioning that there are three processes we do for a PCB:
- Traces
- Holes
- Outline

G-code generation¶

For it we used the FabModules - an only tool.

FabModules1

input format > Select image.png > Select the image from the PC.
output format > _Roland mill (.rml)

Output format is going to depend on the milling machine you have.
process > Select process to configure.

For traces: PCB traces. For holes and outline: PCB outline.
In output tab select machine to use.
Fill in the text boxes.
Press calculate.

FabModules2

After that, press save.

Mill process¶

Preparation¶

Put the copper board on the of the machine.
Put on the machine the appropriate Collect for the bit we are going to use (bit shafts come in different diameters).
Put the bit on the collect and adjust it.
Using the VPanel software, adjust the Home point.

XY will be the bottom-left corner of the board, Z axis will be when the bit slightly touches the board.

ZAxis

Ways to find the Z-0

Using Continuity of the multimeter, putting one tip on the bit and the other one on the board.
Using your hearing power:
1. Start bit rotation.
2. Slowly lower the tool until you hear a different sound (a soft milling).
Using your vision power:
1. Start bit rotation.
2. Slowly lower the tool until you an small amount of chip (a soft milling).

Milling machine¶

Import the the Code in the VPanel.
Press Output to start milling.

PCB done:
ProcessFinish

Test pieces¶

As usual it’s necessary to make a test beforehand; in this case with the end mills you’ll be using, a simple like the follow one let you know the trace thickness you can do, you can also determine the optimum cutting speed and spindle:

Images: