Homebrew PCBs

Hi all. I downloaded the deskpcb software and it seems to do a good 
job. I was wondering if anyone else has given it a spin. If you have, 
here are a few questions that maybe you can help me with. In the 
create g-code section there are a few parameters that I can't figure 
out: Tool # - what are the definitions of these tools? I'm also 
getting an error on that says 6 traces could not be routed. Is this 
because there is something I'm doing wrong with the initial layout, 
or perhaps my trace size? I'm using a 60deg. bit from think & tinker 
and some 2 sided board I got from them as well. As a final question, 
what is the best way to line up the board after you flip it over to 
cut the back side?

Thanx,

Doug

I am not sure about the errors, but it may be that you have a tool 
bit size in the program that it too large for the traces.  for 
instance, if your bit size is listed as 0.1", and you have 0.1" 
between chip pads, you cannot cut two lines around a pad and still 
have any pad left.  you certainly cannot put 2 or 3 traces between 
pads either.  if your bit was listed as 0.01", you could easily put a 
trace between pads.

as for lineing up the boards.  make a template, use the board 
mounting holes, drill them exactly to size, put pins in the holes 
that are a tight fit

use or put 4 more holes for verifying. one in each side, near the 
edges, these could be actual thru holes for traces, or just alignment 
holes.  These should be done with the software controlling the 
drill.  Since you know their exact locations, when you flip the 
board, you can posistion the drill over the holes and verify the 
exact alignment.

There may be other ways, but this works for me.

Dave




--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "dougfennell2000" <dfennell@m...> wrote:
> Hi all. I downloaded the deskpcb software and it seems to do a good 
> job. I was wondering if anyone else has given it a spin. If you 
have, 
> here are a few questions that maybe you can help me with. In the 
> create g-code section there are a few parameters that I can't 
figure 
> out: Tool # - what are the definitions of these tools? I'm also 
> getting an error on that says 6 traces could not be routed. Is this 
> because there is something I'm doing wrong with the initial layout, 
> or perhaps my trace size? I'm using a 60deg. bit from think & 
tinker 
> and some 2 sided board I got from them as well. As a final 
question, 

> what is the best way to line up the board after you flip it over to 
> cut the back side?
> 
> Thanx,
> 
> Doug

thanx, I'll give it a try.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...> wrote:
> I am not sure about the errors, but it may be that you have a tool 
> bit size in the program that it too large for the traces.  for 
> instance, if your bit size is listed as 0.1", and you have 0.1" 
> between chip pads, you cannot cut two lines around a pad and still 
> have any pad left.  you certainly cannot put 2 or 3 traces between 
> pads either.  if your bit was listed as 0.01", you could easily put 
a 
> trace between pads.
> 
> as for lineing up the boards.  make a template, use the board 
> mounting holes, drill them exactly to size, put pins in the holes 
> that are a tight fit
> 
> use or put 4 more holes for verifying. one in each side, near the 
> edges, these could be actual thru holes for traces, or just 
alignment 
> holes.  These should be done with the software controlling the 
> drill.  Since you know their exact locations, when you flip the 
> board, you can posistion the drill over the holes and verify the 
> exact alignment.
> 
> There may be other ways, but this works for me.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "dougfennell2000" <dfennell@m...> wrote:
> > Hi all. I downloaded the deskpcb software and it seems to do a 
good 
> > job. I was wondering if anyone else has given it a spin. If you 
> have, 
> > here are a few questions that maybe you can help me with. In the 
> > create g-code section there are a few parameters that I can't 
> figure 
> > out: Tool # - what are the definitions of these tools? I'm also 
> > getting an error on that says 6 traces could not be routed. Is 
this 
> > because there is something I'm doing wrong with the initial 
layout, 
> > or perhaps my trace size? I'm using a 60deg. bit from think & 
> tinker 
> > and some 2 sided board I got from them as well. As a final 
> question, 
> > what is the best way to line up the board after you flip it over 
to 

> > cut the back side?
> > 
> > Thanx,
> > 
> > Doug

Hello,

I just downloaded the DeskPCB and I would like to ask everyone here 
as to what type of PCB router is used?  I would like to know if there 
are any plans available to build my own PCB Router or if there are 
any for sale that is not to overly priced?

I need to create my own PCB's and want to do it via machining instead 
of the old way of etching.  

I thank all of your for your help,

Jon Bevar
Founder of RoBasic Research 
"Robotic Basic Research & Development"

Hi,

You need to look at the CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com there are a great number of other sites not connected with this list but they are buried in my computer somewhere and will take some time to dig them out. If you need them I'll do it over the weekend.

Regards,

Terry


  Hello,

  I just downloaded the DeskPCB and I would like to ask everyone here 
  as to what type of PCB router is used?  I would like to know if there 
  are any plans available to build my own PCB Router or if there are 
  any for sale that is not to overly priced?

  I need to create my own PCB's and want to do it via machining instead 
  of the old way of etching.  

  I thank all of your for your help,

  Jon Bevar
  Founder of RoBasic Research 
  "Robotic Basic Research & Development"



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