Electronics Production¶
Summary¶
Characterize Design Rules¶
The Fab Lab uses the Roland Monofab SRM-20 machines for PCB manufacturing and that is what was tested in this assignment.
Trace Width Testing¶
Mods Toolpath Setup¶
For the trace width testing we used the MIT Mods program to generate the toolpath. We started by opening up a new “Mill 2D PCB” instance under the Roland SRM-20 menu in the software. Then we imported the PNG in the “Read PNG” block. The software loade the data which was transmuted to the blocks downstream. Then leaving all of the default settings, we clicked the calculate button on the “mill raster 2D” block. This calculated the toolpath.
File used for the toolpath.
Using Mods to import the png file and create the toolpath.
Note the default settings for a 1/64” endmill used are
Cut Depth (in.): .004 Speed (mm/s): 4
For the toolpath we used an offset of 4 and stepover of .5 diameter.
Then we could click on the view button in the same block so we could see the traces. It showed the 4 distinct toolpaths surrounding the geometry of the board.
Viewing the toolpath.
The toolpath looked correct, so we switched the toggle switch further downstream in the workflow to allow the file to be saved. When we toggled that on, it exported an .rml file to the downloads folder on the computer.
Turning on the save button in Mods.
Machine cutting¶
Then we were able to do the machining of the PCB. We went to the machine and started by vacuuming it out from the previous job. Then we wiped down the spoil board to free it from debris. We chose a new FR1 double sided PCB board and cleaned it with some alcohol and a paper towel.
Wiping down the board.
Then it was time to zero our axes and run the job. We turned on the SRM-20, inserted the USB into the computer, and opened up the VPanel software. This is the software used to move the machine and run jobs. We installed the 1/64” bit into the spindle and had the shank of the mill pushed up far into the collet. Then we lowered it to within a 1/4” of the copper and moved it to the front left corner of the piece. Once there, we clicked the zero X/Y button in the software. Then we moved the axes about 10mm in both X and Y so the bit was inset from the edge of the piece. Then we loosened the setscrew on the collet and lowered the bit until it contacted the surface of the copper. Then we tightened the setscrew while lightly holding the mill down onto the copper.
Installing the board.
Then it was time to zero our axes and run the job. We turned on the SRM-20, inserted the USB into the computer, and opened up the VPanel software. This is the software used to move the machine and run jobs. We installed the 1/64” bit into the spindle and had the shank of the mill pushed up far into the collet. Then we lowered it to within a 1/4” of the copper and moved it to the front left corner of the piece. Once there, we clicked the zero X/Y button in the software. Then we moved the axes about 10mm in both X and Y so the bit was inset from the edge of the piece. Then we loosened the setscrew on the collet and lowered the bit until it contacted the surface of the copper. Then we tightened the setscrew while lightly holding the mill down onto the copper.
Result of the traces milling.
Setting up the thru cut.
The we made a new part. We moved our X/Y zero point above the first cut in the Roland software. Then we ran the file with the traces to make a new trace pattern. Then we loaded the cut file and ran it. In just a few minutes the path was done and we gently lifted the finished board from the doublesided tape.
Finished cut board.
Sending to Board House¶
During the Electronics Production week of Fab Academy 2026, our group decided to manufacture our printed circuit boards using the JLCPCB service. JLCPCB is one of the most popular PCB manufacturing companies, widely used by engineers, makers, and hardware developers because it provides high-quality PCB fabrication at a relatively low cost and with fast production time.
After finishing the PCB design in our EDA software, we generated the Gerber files, which contain all the necessary information for manufacturing the board, including copper layers, drill files, and board outlines. These files were then uploaded to the JLCPCB online platform.
On the JLCPCB website, we configured the manufacturing parameters such as the PCB thickness, number of layers, board dimensions, solder mask color, and quantity of boards. The platform automatically analyzed our Gerber files and provided a preview of the board to make sure everything was correct before placing the order.
Once we verified the design and manufacturing settings, our group placed the order for the PCBs. Using JLCPCB allowed us to experience the real industrial workflow of PCB fabrication, from design and file generation to online manufacturing and ordering.
3D rendering on JLC of the board that we could order.