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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Excellon Drill Files

From: "Zoran A. Scepanovic" <zastos@...>
Date: 2007-01-30

Hello Phil,

Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 12:53:06 AM, you wrote:

> I looked, but didn't see any option to scale the units in FreePCB for the
> drill files. But I suppose if you multiply the X/Y step sizes (and jog
> distances) by 1000 in the gcode interpreter configuration it would have the
> same effect. Then you just have to think in terms of mils instead of inches.
> Then the global search and replace could fix up the drill cycle codes. It
> might work. I'll have to look at it again.
> --


OK, let me put it this way:
Most common format for number format in drill files is 2.3 but
different programs generate different headers in their output files
where should be stated are suppressed leading or trailing zeroes or
no zero suppression.

So for everybody, please send me a small drill file (besides Protel
99SE which I'm using) so that I can figure out different headers,
and write a freeware Excellon->GCode translator.

Also, please include your wish list, i.e. canned drill cycles or
pure G0, G1 mooves, Spindle controll, Stop for tool change.....

In Files/CNC/Conversion_Programs/ folder of this group you can find
a program that I wrote quite long ago in M$ QBasic.

Just checked the output of KiCAD, it spits out coordinates with
decimal point, and can do it in Inch and Milimeters, but also
without decimal point leading/trailing zeroes suppressed,
fortunately, all relevant information are present in the header.

--
Best regards,
Zoran A. Scepanovic
zastos@...

∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗
If the input editor has been designed to reject all bad input,
an ingenious idiot will discover a method to get bad data past it.
∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗

Please be advised what was said may be absolutely wrong,
and hereby this disclaimer follows.
I reserve the right to be wrong and admit it in front of the entire world.



Local time: 18:29


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