8. Electronic Production¶
group assignment: • characterize the design rules for your in-house PCB production process
At fablabwinam we use. Roland Monofab SRM-20. Spindle speed goes up to 9300
• submit a PCB design to a board house
individual assignment: • make and test an embedded microcontroller system that you designed • extra credit: make it with another process
Refining my design in week 6
I updated my MCU to Module_XIAO_Generic_SocketSMD in schematic design then updated y pcb editor and did routing again. Also I updated GND traces to 0.8mm, i first changed the net class to power and not default then edit under track via properties.
3D simulation for new design
Ploting and Export SVG
under files, plot ensured i selected svg and not gerber, then selected F.Cu and Edge.Cut.and i secified my output directory to keep files organized.
Prepare to cut using CAM Modsproject
I used inksape to resize edgecuts and traces, since svg was exporting using the sheet size. From here i export as svg to mods
In modes you have to invert to so that it removes unneccessary layers
For edge cutting, use 1/32 endmill under cut and for traces i use 1/64 
Cut Depth,tool diameter,maximum cut depth.. For traces i used this
For edgecut i used this
Simulation
After this i click calculate or go to home, then it downloads a rml file.
Vpanel and Cutting I used vpanle to control the machine. I used the xyz cordinates to set my origin. After installing bit, i set Z on the surface of the board, and x,y on the xy cordintates from where i want my cutting to begin from.
Surfacing To ensure a flat surface, I fixed an MDF board using double-sided tape. I used a 3.175 mm flat endmill single flute , then i modelled the spoil board in fusion with x 200mm and y 150mm
with a high stepover and created a surfacing toolpath in Fusion (1 mm depth) matching the board size. The machine milled the surface evenly until flat, after which I mounted the PCB with double-sided tape, ready for cutting.
I used the following settings
Select this tool
Using double sided tape,
Cutting
Got this error while printin my first file
and realized it was a unit mismatch from mods.
Tried numerous cuts, with failres, edge cuts crossing traceses etc.
Started cutting with traces, then i zero only z and continue with edge cut.
Soldering
Since my design has alternating pins, now i had to bend my pins to do surface mount soldring,
Testing continuity, Before and during soldering i was continoulsy testing contiuity using multimeter to see if there is unwanted connection. I used solder paste to ensure heating first and started with the pins,
I secured the board using hot glue, to ensure the header pins are strong enough
This is my complete soldered board, and ready to program it
Surfacing file.