> On the other hand, once it's setup and debugged, it's repeatable, fast, ....
I think I heard someone say that about all of the other methods before ;-)
Not sure if it is a good idea to use just one bit for milling and
drilling, since milling is usually done with sturdy V cutters that are
much too large to make useful holes and hole drills don't take side
loads without breaking.
I think you are not yet aware of many problems associated with
milling, neither am I since I have no mill.
Anyway, making a mill is definitely more involved, and buying one
definitely more expensive, than chemical methods. But it's been done
many times before so why not try it if you think it's the right way
for you.
ST
On Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 4:14 PM, gandolfreefer
<
synchronousmosfet@...> wrote:
> Thanks, Stefan,
>
> Yes, there are two worries that I mainly have about using a 3D router:
>
> burring and minimum trace width/clearance.
>
> I'm pretty sure surface mount would be "out"...but maybe not.
>
> On the other hand, once it's setup and debugged, it's repeatable, fast, and the automated hole drilling is not to be sneezed at; I find the hole drilling part by far the biggest hassle and would love to have it done automatically....I suppose, if nothing else, I could just have the 3D router just do the drilling, that would be a huge time and hassle saver....
>
> However, if the hole diameters were standardized to one size (in some circuits this is doable, even if it isn't optimal), one bit could do it all: routing and drilling...all in one multi-stepped set of passes. That would be pretty cool. It would have to be a carbide or even diamond bit, at a very high speed, maybe even with water cooling, but I'm sure it's achievable.
>
> And, now that I think about it more, actually larger holes would, of course, be achievable: just program it in to to mill the hole out larger. It might be useful to make the table 4D, with rotary capability as the 4th dimension.
>
> I was hoping someone on this list had already mastered the craft of routing boards instead of etching them. It might have to be me...
>
> Best, Charlie
>