Hi John,
Not sure why you say it takes lots of lines of code to do round pads!
Although I'm working from a Gerber file (thinks pads and traces), the
resultant actions to draw a round pad are actually quite simple (I don't
generate an intermediate Gcode file... yet). There are from 1 to 4 arcs
(for 0 to 4 traces into pad), plus a line per side of each trace, up to
the next pad, or a "bend" in the trace. So a simple "dog bone" of two
pads and a trace between would result in two arcs, and two traces! And
if I understand you correctly, you'd draw 7 short lines per pad, plus
two traces?
This actually gives me an idea. If the "short lines" used to draw the
pads could be identified by software (a "filter" based on length?), then
they could be replaced by arc's. sort of like a "constant contouring"
algorithm. Then you'd get round pads!
OR, since you're using CAD, and you always start/stop the little line
segments always start on 45 deg. points of a circle (I guessing here),
I'd suggest just specifying a arc from/to the required points at each
pad! That should be simple enough!
Of course all this assumes you would want round pads instead of
octagonal pads. What are your thoughts? I know you've done many boards
with your "system", and you have your reasons!
Alan KM6VV
P.S. Hate to mention it, and I don't know your tax setup, but just "not
making money" isn't enough to make you "non profit". As far as I know
(I'm not a tax consultant), just selling services/products makes you a
business (you just report little or no income from the business on your
schedule C). Just some thoughts, and hope this didn't offend. :>)
crankorgan wrote:
> <SNIP>
> Dave is using round pads. They look nice but the cause
> lots of lines of code. This can come back to bite you if
> you have to rework the code. Almost one hundred lines of code for
> each pad. I use an eight sided pad. Daves machine is very tight
> with the use of the antibacklash nut-spindle and machined guides.
>
> John