--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "mikezcnc" <eemikez@c...>
wrote:
> I see no reason to use EDM for PCB mechanical etching. It sounds
> like an insane idea. Mike
Why is that Mike?
While I love cutting metal with a variety of machines, I don't see
why using EDM would be bad for this application. It could be a
relatively fast process provided the power supply and electrodes are
worked out properly. The programming process that one fellow has
proposed is to work from a bitmap image which means
the "programming" would be fast and easy. Wouldn't require any
software to create the mill paths.
So, as much as I love cutting metal, I am just as eager to burn it.
However, ideally, what I would love to see is an additive process as
opposed to subtractive. In other words, instead of removing copper
where we don't want it (thus wasting the resource), applying the
copper to where we need it - much more resource responsible.
Some chemist somewhere has got to figure out a way to make copper
into a liquid form that can be "painted" onto a circuit board and
make it stick there. This would be the ideal method in my opinion
as it wouldn't waste resources (Copper), it would be efficient (not
adding something and then remmoving it), and it should be easy to
make a CNC machine apply the copper traces (using a wide variety of
in-expensive software).
So, I guess my perspective is that chemical etching or cutting away
the copper is insane ;-)
Chris