Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Yes, I did use a Dremel extension but the one that Dremel supplies in some kits and you can buy separately is too stiff and is a fairly significant load on the machine by itself though the handpiece bearings may be better for low runout. Please see my website I posted above. There's a list of parts I'm using. My Dremel tool is Model 4000 but many of the others should work (but probably not the battery operated one). With the extension attached, I get about 30K rpm.

Yes, dust could be a problem The flexible hand-piece holder coupler I had to make has a plastic "nose" that rides against and pneumatically seals to the copperclad. I am experimenting with evacuating this coupler with a flexible hose for removing the dust.

The weight of the Dremel tool itself isn't relevant here as the flexible extension minimizes this. I also use a spring to neutralize the extra weight of the hand-piece. See the video. I will also update my website soon. I am working on acceptable_degrees_of_success (my call) for


1. Making of the hand-piece coupler a relatively easy to accomplish task. (I had to use a lathe for the 1st version :()

2. Registering the top and bottom images for double sided PCBs (almost there)

3. Being able to cut out the PCB and large routing outlines. (not started)

4. Labeling the parts on the PCB (almost there)

5. Dust collection (in process)

6. Document minimum repeatable trace & line widths. (not started)

7. Work out a few small "kinks" in the Silhouette Cameo software with the GREAT support team there.

8. Converting the Excellon drill file to a Silhouette readable code. (not started).

9. Use the normal drag-knife in the cutter to produce stencils for solder paste, NAMES, solder mask, etc. (not started)

Note - the Silhouette Cameo does not read G-code so a Drill file to G-code to ? may be a difficult route. The Pro version of Silhouette Studio does accept .svg vector files. Using the Silhouette's software, you cannot specify with in-line code, the spindle speed, rapid speed, feed (speed) or vector order. You can globally specify feed rate and rapid rate. Given these constraints, I've still managed to produce some very usable PCBs using my fairly quick and easy method.

Just to understand, my overall goal was to produce a list of parts that require no modifications (or VERY little), free software (today it's EagleCAD and what comes with the Silhouette), no programming knowledge and an easy to follow recipe to produce a usable PCB.

Thanks for your interest.

Mike


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