Homebrew PCBs

Love the new concept.

Javaguy said ...
> Sounds interesting, but as mentioned in another post it is
> surprising a vinyl cutter could cut through copper. Is this
> standard 1/16 inch 1 ounce FR4?

AlienRelics said ...
> Re: Produce Quick & Cheap PCBs with a CNC paper cutter
> Having manually cut isolation with an Xacto, I'd have never
> guessed the relatively minor downforce from a CriCut or
> other vinyl cutter would be enough to cut all the way through
> the copper.

It does seem a bit unlikely that it would be up to the job but remember copper is a soft metal and if the carbide blade stays sharp it should do the job.

Also what may not be obvious to those who do not have a scrapbooking wife who yearns for such a cutter is that the CriCut has a bit more muscle than a basic vinyl cutter.  It is rated to cut card stock as well so has a larger downforce and rigidity than a pen plotter turned cutter.

Never mind the consumer machine, consider the implications of using such a blade in a small XYZ router with just a bit more downforce and rigidity and this might be the future of instant PCB DIY manufacture.

Kalle
--
Johannesburg, South Africa