--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "AnaLog Services, Inc."
<wireline@...> wrote:
>
> Interesting observations. Does anybody have pics of milled vs.
toner transfer PCBs on their website? How decent is possible with the
toner transfer process really? If one is willing to buy the
commercial product rather than trying to use conventional paper, can
better results be had?
>
>
>
> Anything to do with PCBs? IMO, you'll be better off using traditional
> methods to create the board then using the mill to drill. PCB milling
> is usually popular with the following types;
>
> 1. Those unsatisfied with the toner transfer board creation process
> and cannot manage the photo process for whatever reasons.
>
> 2. Those with an underutilized mill/router.
>
> 3. Those in the business of selling mills/routers or selling plans
> for such.
>
> 4. Environment conservation freaks who see the chemicals used in
> traditional board creation processes as one more doomsday ingredient.
>
I would add a little refinement to the above.
if you want the best boards, the finest lines, the most professional
you can do at home. use pre-sensitized boards, use a photo resist set-up.
If you want the cheapest from start to stop, use TT.
The PCB milling has it's advantages.
#1) drilling the holes in precise locations.
#2) cutting the boards to precise sizes.
#3) environmentally friendly
notice, I did not list anything to do with making traces ?
A small CNC machine to drill the holes is just great. smaller holes
can be used for many things as they are so well aligned.
slots can be routed that would otherwise be a mess to do by hand.
Now, assuming you have the CNC machine, what else can you do ?
you can also mechanically etch boards. A side benefit. I would not
recommend to anyone that they dispense with any of the other tools in
their box and only use one.
I think that in Stefan's #3 above, what happens is that we lose focus
on my #1 and #2 and get all excited about the abilities of a CNC machine.
The CNC is a great addition to a shop, especially if one does any
repetitious work or any enclosure holes that could be done on a CNC
machine.
Dave