Week 8 — Electronics production

This week’s topic: Electronics production.

Group assignment

In Shenzhen Chaihuo, our group documented the full in-house PCB CNC process from CAM verification to board inspection. The key objective was to avoid common failures such as incomplete isolation, trace shorts, and tool breakage from incorrect zeroing.

Work objective

We turned the PCB milling flow into a checklist that classmates can repeat: secure stock, choose proper cutter, set XY/Z correctly, run cautiously on first pass, and validate board quality after cutting.

1) Stock loading and fixture control

Copper-clad stock was cleaned and fixed to keep the top surface stable and flat. Clamp positions were checked against toolpath boundaries before spindle motion.

Copper clad board placed and clamped on cnc bed — Process photo A - Copper-clad setup with fixture clearance checked.

2) Tooling choice and spindle preparation

The group compared isolation and outline cutters, then matched actual tool diameter with CAM definitions. Tool insertion depth and collet clamping were checked before touch-off.

Changing pcb cnc tool — Process photo B - Tool replacement step before zero-setting.

Spindle tool change close view — Process photo C - Spindle-side detail of tool installation check.

Comparison of milling and cutting heads for pcb cnc — Process photo D - Cutter-type comparison for isolation versus outline tasks.

Milling cutter head used for isolation routing — Process photo E - Isolation-routing cutter used for trace separation.

Cutting cutter head for board outline — Process photo F - Outline-cutting tool selected for board profile pass.

3) Positioning, touch-off, and zero validation

XY origin was aligned with CAM reference and Z was touched off on board surface using the lab method. This is the highest-risk step for depth-related errors, so we verified before running.

Adjusting cutter position above board — Process photo G - Initial cutter positioning before precision zeroing.

Initial state before touch off — Process photo H - Pre-touch-off state used for alignment confirmation.

Touch off operation for work zero — Process photo I - Touch-off and zero-setting step before machining.

4) Production run and post-check

After first-pass verification, we completed milling and board outline cutting, then inspected the result for copper residue, burrs, and potential shorts between traces.

Finished pcb board after cnc process — Result photo - Board state after milling and outline process.

Safety reminders

Never clear chips by hand while spindle is rotating; stop motion first.
After stock or tool change, re-check clamping and re-verify zero.
Use dust/swarf control and keep electrical cables away from moving axes.