Homebrew PCBs

Hello,

Thank you all for the replies. I've gotten a few offlist as well. 
Many are not saying which of the three or four machines I've 
mentioned hold the most promise for them...

The 1000 buck machine is a very capable cnc machine, and not limited 
at all to pcb work. You can put a router or other type of spindle on 
it without problem. I designed it to be assembled in one of two ways: 
high gantry with 3-3/4 clearance, and low gantry (2-1/4") aimed at 
the pcb work. (I'm planning to sell these into several different 
markets. Woodworkers, crafters, sign shops, schools, engravers, 
plastic fab, etc.)

Forgot to mention that dragknife vinyl cutting will be an option with 
both machines. Like the roland Sticka series. Tangential cutting may 
come later, as I'm currently looking at how I can make my more 
expensive machine pretend it's a pick and place for smd work. That 
requires a c axis to orient the components. I'm looking for close up 
pictures and explanations of commercial pick and place feeders. 
Perhaps of the older types, that weren't as sophisticated. I need 
info on both vibratory and tape reel types. Also on the older non-
machine vision techniques for part orientation after vac pickup...

Because once we get the pcb part licked then we need to get 
the "populate 'em" solved.<G>

And I'm playing with the toaster oven process, to complete the pcb 
equation... May be offering a kit in that area as well...  

The 500 dollar pcbdrill/engraver is really not designed for the 
entire multitude of tasks that the other machines can do. It is 
slower and more lightly constructed, with a smaller overall size. 
Most importantly, it has a small clearance (1-1/4") between the 
gantry and table. This keeps the moment forces low and is part of the 
reason it can be made and sold for $500. But you can still work on 
3/4 wood or plastic, making signs or other "needed for electronic 
projects" parts like panels and housings.  

It will have no problems drilling and milling pcb's, and will 
probably do most, if not all the things the mdx15 can do. But it's 
not a 1000 buck or $3K, or $5k machine... 

And these aren't yet ready for sale. But they're close... The larger, 
more expensive machine could be had within a month. The others have 
no firm timeline as yet. But you can help me change that! 

I need some feedback about the questions I asked in the earlier 
posts. What size and speed do you want/need from a 500 dollar pcb cnc 
machine?   

Resolution and repeatabiltity are no problem. The machines are all 
leadscrew driven with antibacklash nuts. steppers are at least 800 
steps per rev, making for 4000 or 8000 steps/inch. I already 
mentioned ballpark feedrates, but would like your feedback on that as 
well.

Thank you again for the replies. I was worried that there was no 
interest from this group of potential kit CNC users!

Ballendo 


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...> 
wrote:
> I know I'm interested.
> 
> Steve
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "ballendo" <ballendo@y...> 
wrote:
> > Ron,
> > 
> > I tend to agree about the overall value of PCB milling. It's 
still 
> > worth it for some projects, but for many it just doesn't make 
sense 
> > when the board houses have improved their prototype pricing and 
> > delivery. BUT...
> > 
> > A CNC machine in your pcb lab is FAR more than just a pcb 
miller...
> > 
> > At the barest minimum it's a pcb DRILL. And a front panel 
engraver. 
> > Panel cutouts for switches and displays, etc. is a no-brainer. To 
me 
> > the biggest mistake the folks at LPKF and T-tech make is that 
their 
> > machine is for drilling/tracemilling ONLY...
> > 
> > I have a 15x15 machine for $5K, which is the equal of the LPKF 
and T-
> > tech machines. (But can do much more than just pcb stuff, and 
it's 
> > not a kit.) 
> > 
> > The kit machines I was really asking about are lower priced...
> > 
> > My thousand buck kit CNC machine (12x12x4") is useful in many 
ways, 
> > ONE of which is pcb trace milling(which IS useful for small 
simple 
> > boards.) It can also do PCB drilling, and has a resolution 
> > of .000125, so detail is no problem. You can work on things as 
thich 
> > as 3-1/2 inches, and up to 18 inches wide. The machine itself has 
a 
> > 20 x 24" footprint.
> > 
> > I'm pretty sure I can offer a 500 buck pcb drill with capability 
for 
> > board size of 6x8, maybe 8x12 inches. It can do some other CNC 
type 
> > things, like panel cutout and engraving, but it's really aimed at 
> > just being a low-cost CNC drill option... Spindle is set up for 
1/8 
> > or 3mm shanks.  
> > 
> > The main thing is that these kits would be COMPLETE. And go 
together 
> > in an hour or two. No searching for components, power supplies, 
> > software, soldering or anything else. Just a screwdriver, 
hexwrench, 
> > and your hands. 
> > 
> > But it doesn't seem as popular as I'd thought, based on responses 
> > here so far... 
> > 
> > Now that I've let my target pricing out of the bag, perhaps there 
> > might be interest?
> > 
> > Balllendo
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Ron Amundson" 
> > <ron_amundson@h...> wrote:
> > > I used to have an entry level LPKF, the machine cost US$11,500 
and 
> > with all
> > > the tooling and options it came in at US$19,200.<snip>