Homebrew PCBs

> 1) What is this product and where to get it
> "self adhesive film "

It's thin 11" X 8.5" sheets of self-adhesive plastic film. You can 
get them for laser printers and copiers or for inkjet printers. Print 
on the sheet like paper, spray a protective coating over it if 
necessary, cut then peel off the backing and apply. Bought mine 
(opaque white for laser) several years ago from a place called Pearl 
Paint but they no longer stock it. A Froogle search indicates a place 
called Mister Art having it in stock. Here is a link for laser ready 
products, they should also sell inkjet ready equivalents;

http://www.misterart.com/store/view.cfm?store=001&group_id=3700

> 2) I notice this is a servo control being built, can you share some 
> details about this?  The reason I ask is that I am about to convert 
> a machine over to CNC using servos. I have not yet purchased the 
> servo drivers yet, so I am curious.

A simple plug-n-play setup using drivers from here;

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11

Before getting the above I also bought and evaluated one of these 
which just about everyone seems to use and recommend;

http://www.geckodrive.com/item.htbml?order_id=0&item_id=G320




--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lcdpublishing" 
<lcdpublishing@y...> wrote:
> Hi Derek,
> 
> Great pictorial!  I have two questions...
> 
> 1) What is this product and where to get it 
>        "self adhesive film "
> 
> 2) I notice this is a servo control being built, can you share some 
> details about this?  The reason I ask is that I am about to convert 
> a machine over to CNC using servos. I have not yet purchased the 
> servo drivers yet, so I am curious.
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "derekhawkins" 
> <derekhawkins@y...> wrote:
> > Most of us are probably using CAD software to design our PCBs but 
> if 
> > you're still scribing patterns for drilling and cutouts directly
> > to metal during case construction then you should consider 
> creating 
> > CAD templates, printing and pasting them to the metal instead. 
> Even 
> > if you don't intend using a CNC setup, these templates make things
> > more accurate for component placement and allow for efficient 
> > repeatability in case of screw ups. Also, the same template can 
be 
> > used as the basis for a dimensionally accurate "decorative"
> > finish.
> > 
> > Freeware PCB CAD software abounds and while they may be 
> intentionally 
> > limited when it comes to actual PCB design, generally, there is 
no 
> > limitation when used for something like case design if you choose 
> the 
> > right one. In other words, provided devices such as pads 
> and "known" 
> > components are not being used, your design can be any size.
> > 
> > The link below is a set of pictures demonstrating the use of CAD 
> > software and printed templates to CNC drill and center drill 
> > (equivalent to center punching but under CNC) a 12" X 6"
> > sheet of aluminum that becomes the front, back and base of the 
> case. 
> > Holes over 1/8" were drilled manually after center drilling.
> > Cutouts were nibbled using templates as bounds. Finally, a 
> decorative 
> > finish printed on self adhesive film was then used for the front 
> and 
> > back.
> > 
> > http://www.pbase.com/eldata/caseconc