Week 8: Electronics Production

Click to access the group assignment

This week, I learned how to produce a custom PCB using a CNC milling machine. The process included file preparation, toolpath generation, probing, milling, and component soldering.

I started by importing my Gerber files into Cube 3D CAM Pro. This software allowed me to visualize the PCB design and generate G-code for the engraving and cutting operations.

After importing the Gerber files, I previewed the traces and outline. This helped me confirm the alignment, scaling, and overall board layout.

Generating Toolpaths in Cube 3D CAM Pro

• Engraving: V90 engraving bit (~0.1mm depth) for isolating traces
• Cutting: 1.0mm flat end mill (~1.8mm depth, multiple passes)

The copper-clad board was fixed with tape on a sacrificial layer.

Machine Setup Sequence:

1. Click HOME ALL
2. Wait for all indicators to turn green
3. Click GOTO PARK 2
4. Click ZERO ALL
5. Change the bit and begin probing

Bits used:

• V90 Engraving Bit
• 1.0mm End Mill

I used surface probing to determine the Z-offset of the copper board.

Started engraving traces with V90 bit.

Re-probed after switching to the 1.0mm bit.

Traces and outline milled successfully.

Cleaned PCB ready for component soldering.

First soldering attempt had some issues.

Successfully fixed the solder joints in a second pass.

Testing the Board Functionality

Uploaded code with Arduino IDE to test LEDs and buzzer via button input.

Code

#define LED1 4
  #define LED2 5
  #define BUTTON 10
  #define BUZZER 9
  
  void setup() {
    pinMode(LED1, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(LED2, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP);
  }
  
  void loop() {
    if (digitalRead(BUTTON) == LOW) {
      digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(LED2, HIGH);
      tone(BUZZER, 1000);
    } else {
      digitalWrite(LED1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(LED2, LOW);
      noTone(BUZZER);
    }
  }

Summary

• LEDs light up when button is pressed
• Buzzer makes sound at 1000 Hz
• Button uses internal pull-up and is responsive

Final video

Hero Shot

Hey! Welcome to my Fab Academy website! My name is Nadieh Bremer and I’m a freelancing Data Visualization Designer with my company “Visual Cinnamon”, although officially I’m a graduated astronomer ・ﾟ✧

Together with our instructor and 7 other students, I’m a student of the 2021 class at the Waag Fab Lab. Which is located in a wonderfully old, beautiful (and drafty) building in the heart of Amsterdam.

Check out the Weekly Assignments to find my extremely extensive documentation of the things I’ve learned, failed at, and overcome during each week of the Academy. Or see my Final Project, called NOVA, which is a jigsaw puzzle that incorporates light!

I’ve also written a summary blog post that goes into how a typical week looks and what you’ll learn during each specific week.

Below you can see some of the things I’ve made over the weeks (^▽^)

Below is the short video I made for the (online) graduation event in August 2021. I hate having to video record myself saying something in the camera. Instead I spelled “YAY” with the many different items I made and used during the twenty weeks and added a “❤️ Nadieh” written on two pieces of paper.