Homebrew PCBs

I've been milling boards for over a year. It works very well, though 
the learning curve is a little steeper than you might think. I use an 
AccurateCNC 360, which is good enough for 10 mil traces and can be 
used for even finer traces with some care. Double sided is easy, 
drilling is a snap, and being able to mill the edges of the board 
gives a very clean cut. I'm not sure whether a simple homemade mill 
would work as well, but over a smaller area it should work. The 360 
is about 9K (I think), very pricey for the hobbiest, but it can also 
be used for milling plastic and even non ferrous metals.  Support for 
this machine is unbelievably great!! The company goes way out of it's 
way to provide support and repairs, even out of  warrantee, and they 
reply to email extremely promptly. I blew the spindle driver while 
cutting plastic, and they replaced the driver with a newer one that 
won't blow at no charge. While they had the machine, they completely 
checked the calibration and added some hardware to make cutting 
plastic and softer materials much easier. Again at no charge.

The usual disclaimer - I have no financial interest whatsoever in 
their company, just a very satisfied customer.

Mark


At 08:49 PM 3/17/2010, you wrote:
>Well Mat - I was hoping someone would respond and get a discussion 
>going on CNC milling of PCB.  I have been reading about it and it 
>sure sounds slick - the videos look good.
>
>Double sided should be a snap.  Drill holes are automated.
>
>It all "sounds" good, but like you I'd like to know more.
>
>Ken H.
>
>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "mat_henshall" <mat@...> wrote:
> >
> > I am considering getting a small DIY 3 axis CNC router, something 
> like this:
> >
> > http://zentoolworks.com/
> >
> > To, amongst other things, make PCB's with. Clearly a useful tool 
> for drilling holes, but I have seen youtube videos (eg 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQotB1aQBQ) of people using this 
> type of device for milling the pcb itself.
> >
> > I currently use UV Sensitive PCB method for making prototype 
> boards which is OK, but is time consuming, can be error prone and messy.
> >
> > Anybody got any thoughts on milling PCB's? Good, bad the ugly?
> >
> > One though that occurred to me is that after making it, spraying 
> some form of solder resist to the board and then using some sort of 
> polishing bit to remove the resist where needed might be a nice touch?
> >
> > Mat
> >
>
>
>
>
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