Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Jeremy Taylor" <jt@j...> wrote:
> it's usually the CAM software not the hardware when it comes to 
macros, I
> think one would need 4 axis hardware though, with the forth being 
the
> specialty drive for the dispenser, you could use G81 to position, 
and place
> a M code between each G81 entry, have the M call the 4th axis 
movement sub
> routine. You use the Z and R variables to control depth of plunge, 
and safe
> height with G81.
> This could all be done easily and freely using Eagle lite, and 
Mach2 demo
> (although I highly advise actually buying the software in the long 
run- then
> you can actually have enough room to mill stuff, but the demo 
allows plenty
> of room for canned cycles. , at least for the boards that fit in 
eagle lite
> : )
> 
> I really think this topic probably would be better suited to the 
cnc group,
> but since the people involved with this subject frequent the same 
places,
> the topics blur the lines.
> 
> 
> JT

I agree, but the group where this would fit well, 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNC-PCB_Design/

is not a very old list and does not have the quantity of list 
members.  But the idea is that it will become the list that covers 
all the things specific to PCBs

There are lists that are more CNC oriented and I have found that many 
newbies feel overwhelmed by them.  Also, someone who wants to make a 
PCB type machine is not as interested in how to re-build a Bridgeport 
milling machine or making a plasma cutter.

But to be honest, the underlying principals both mechanical and 
software are all the same.

Dave