Homebrew PCBs

> I'm not a software guy. I hate fiddling with software to get things 
going. 
> I'd rater
> apply solder paste 10 hours by hand than trying to get software to 
work 
> for 10 hours.
> 
> How long would you estimate it 
> takes to get all the software going?
> 
> How long would it take to get the 
> drilling software running if my 
> layout software produces excellon drill files?


For an fast programmer and a fixed file type and a fixed output code, 
this could be pretty fast.  couple of days to a couple of weeks.


> Is this possible with free software only?
> 
> How long would it take to get the 
> software running, and roughly adjusted 
> for solder paste dispensing ?
> Assume a rx274 file as a output 
> with different size "dots" for different 
> paste amounts in the
> right places.

To adjust the software, I think it would be a matter of a few boards, 
or a dozen pads.

The key is to dispense the EXACT same amount from a new tube as from 
the middle and the end.

 
> I know this is nearly impossible 
> to estimate but i need to know if it is 
> like "oh yes, that would be simple, 
> I know how I would solve that" or "that's 
> tough, nobody
> has tried this before".
> 
> Which software would i need for solder 
> paste dispensing, is it possible 
> with free software?
> 
> If possible i would like to download 
> software first, have a look at it 
> etc. I don't want to build the machine 
> and then the whole thing fails because of 
> software problems.


AS far as I know, it is not currently available from free software 
for the whole process.

As I see the process, it would be to take the gerber paste file and 
possibly the NCDrill file and merge them.

Then, take that output and generate another file for paste dispensing.

I see the simplicity of drops on specific locations, but it may be 
that a line paste, like how an inkjet works, might be better.  the Z 
would drop as the X line was being moved, and at the drop of the Z, a 
constant dispensing occured. then rate of movement would determine 
quantity of dispensing.


My bottom line on the idea is to build the CNC driller.  that machine 
will work now, for software that is available now.  the paste 
dispenser will be an add-on for that by the time you are done 
building.

And while building, start collecting the parts for the dispenser add-
on.

Who knows, Ballendo may offer this as an option on his machines 
pretty soon !

Dave