Homebrew PCBs

> if you can get the pin out from your printer I am certain linux cnc will
do this.
> however I donot know what code the cricut uses if its just gcode or eia or
ascii?
> The point being you would may  to use some other toolpath software such as
> pcb to gcode. The linuxcnc site has links and the software, i think
probotix has
> links for the pcb software I think that pcb is free, I recall in the
ubuntu software
> center there being a bunch of electronics software. You can dual boot
alongside
> windows and the installation is not that difficult, tuning without the
stepper
> specifics may be trial and error, im kind of curious  though how fast does
this
> thing feed? a dremel turning 30000 rpm with a carbide tool should peel off
> copper at a pretty good clip. Unless the problem is stepper resolution IE
steps
> per revolution thats the reason for excessive feed, maybe. linuxcnc may
still
> allow compensation for this in the acceleration and velocities section. If
you
> need any help email me and ill give it my best good luck


LinuxCNC (or anything else for that matter) won't talk to the CriCut, you'd
have to add your drivers and bypass all the electronics.  Most of these
things use some form of HPGL, or mangled a bit to provide security
(presumably that's how it was reverse engineered).

A couple of stepper drivers would be under $20 each, and the Eagle PCB
software has an add-on to generate g-code for LinuxCNC et al, so it's not a
huge challenge.

Then you just need to figure out how to keep the PCB flat while cutting
(double-sided tape etc) and buy a good set of earmuffs to block out the
sound of a Dremel running for an hour or three.

Tony