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Hello Everyone,
Recently, Yahoo has change it's policy on sharing user information with third parties. How does this effect us? They will provide your information to Telemarketers, Bulk mailers and Spammers. If you have created a user profile with Yahoo you should go to it and make any changes to your "Marketing Preferences" you feel necessary. I personally changed all the "Yes" boxes to "No". Here's what you need to do: Go to My Groups and verify your password if it asks you to, click on Account Info (at the top of the page), and verify your password if it asks you to again, and your Yahoo ID card comes up. Click on 'Edit your Marketing Preferences' (middle of the page under your email address) and change all those Yes's to No's! Make sure you also scroll to the bottom of the page and change the Telemarketing and Bulk Mailing options as well. Click Save Changes and Exit Steve, the moderator __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
crankorgan
Steve,
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You can use Corel. I use Turbocad. Make sure that you draw the trace all the way around and make it overlap onto itself a short distance. This eliminates unwanted little shorts. John --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Steve Greenfield <alienrelics@y...> wrote:
Good point. I'm used to using CorelDraw and a vinyl cutter so it |
Re: Gerber and Excellon to DXF
electronic_workshop
If you are planning to buy Easy-PC I still have the latest version for
sale. I had it for sale at Ebay for several weeks but no one wanted it. Here's a link to the old auction site.... I'm still trying to sell it. showTutorial=0&ed=1011923141&indexURL=0&rd=1 Hans W --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Tony Jeffree <tony@j...> wrote: At 10:30 02/04/2002 -0600, you wrote:program toDoes anyone know of an effective and reasonably priced software add-onconvert Gerber and drill files to DXF?I use Easy PC, which is capable of outputting DXF and which has an module that can import Gerber. |
Re: Gerber and Excellon to DXF
Tony Jeffree
At 10:30 02/04/2002 -0600, you wrote:
Does anyone know of an effective and reasonably priced software program toI use Easy PC, which is capable of outputting DXF and which has an add-on module that can import Gerber. Regards, Tony |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
Good point. I'm used to using CorelDraw and a vinyl cutter so it
draws it differently, I guess. I make sure and join all objects that touch so the path is only around the outside of an area. I would imagine that if I try and use something like Eagle that way, I'll have to figure it out again. I can do simple PCBs without much trouble in CorelDraw, but anything more complex or any changes are a big hassle. Steve --- crankorgan <john@...> wrote: Steve, __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax |
Re: Printing PCB boards
In a message dated 02-Apr-02 05:36:45 Central Standard Time,
derryck@... writes: Print your layouts using the right transparent medium for your printer But this assumes the PRINTER will make an exact "1:1" duplicate of the artwork you "draw" on the screen! Without a special plotter DESIGNED for that, how can this really happen? Just how accurate ARE these ink-jet printers? I have a current HP 960c, and it is very fine doing photos in color, but I have NO clue if it can "draw" say, a grid, of equal squares. I will have to tinker! Hmmm... Jan Rowland |
Re: Printing PCB boards
From: "johnman9146" <johnman@...>
I have tried several iron-on toner transfer systems and don't likeIm my opinion you're much better off using photoresist coated boards. Print your layouts using the right transparent medium for your printer (laser or inkjet) and use that to expose the board under UV. I made a suitable lightbox with tubes sold as spare parts for the ready-made unit sold by Maplin. I also use ready-prepared developer and etcher from them and get a great result every time. Cheers Derryck |
Printing PCB boards
johnman9146
I am new to this group and I have been tinkering around with making
hobby PC boards for a couple of years now (I am no pro nor do I claim to be). I have tried several iron-on toner transfer systems and don't like them much. The best system (using this method) that I have found is using the press-n-peel blue sheets and using a Dry-Mount Press (Older photographic item used to mount old style non-coated paper to matte board). This method is the best I have tried so far.... However, I am considering attempting to use a sort of silk screen method to create PCB etch resists, but I am wondering if anyone knows of a cost effective ink or paint that can be used as etch resist. I believe some sort of fabric ink may hold up using this method. Does anyone know what material should be used for that green soldermask like what is found on commercial PCBs? I am looking to make my projects a little more professional looking. I appreciate any constructive criticism or help on this topic. Thanks |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
crankorgan
Steve,
An other thing about using a plotter. If you use PLT files, you will end up with pads and traces but they won't be connected. When a plotter draws pads it makes a circle for each pad. Then it puts in the connecting lines. If you replace the pen with a motor tool you can end up with pads that are not connected to the traces. Have you noticed how your plotter draws? John |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
crankorgan
Hi Steve,
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When you use a plotter to draw on the copper you have to be able to slow the plotter down. If you don't the ink will not flow fast enough. Over the years I have made PCBoards with every method. Mechanical Etching has lots of pitfalls too. My latest one to show up is runout of the Dremel. For over a year I milled at 16,000 RPMs. Then I made a stiffer machine. I set the speed of the Dremel faster and I increased my feedrate to 8" per minute. I got several boards milled with no problem. Then everything went bad. In the end I found that you should set the Dremel at 16,000 RPMs with a feedrate of 6" per minute. With a bit in the Dremel turn it on and look at the tip of the bit. When you increase the Dremel past number 3 you will see the tip of the bit grow. This is caused by centrifugal force and a worn bearing. My Dremel has many hours on it! The tip of Mechanical Etching bits grows twice as large above 16,000 RPMs. I am going to buy a new Dremel and check it out. Mine has paid for itself several times over and its time for a new one. Nachbauer --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Steve Greenfield <alienrelics@y...> wrote:
Good point about speed of pen-up and -down. Oops, you're |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
Good point about speed of pen-up and -down. Oops, you're
Kleinbauer. I know a Nachbauer who makes Theremins, hence my mistake. I did try a Staedler 313 (Red) pen, just discovered I already had one. I was etching some boards I'd made with a vinyl cutter and so I drew onto a bare area with the Staedler 313 and some permanent pens, the kind they sell at Radio Shack remarked as "Etch Resist". IE, laundry marking pens. My acid (Ammonium Persulfate(sp?)) was weak so it took a long time to etch. The laundry marking pen started out with a few breaks, and ended up pretty bad. The Staedler 313 was nearly perfect. That was just me drawing it, I'd expect better from a plotter moving the pen at a more constant speed. The vinyl cutter? I drew it in CorelDraw and cut it out of vinyl sign plastic and stuck it to the board. I didn't do nice traces, it was done as large areas of copper isolated by thin etched strips. This was at the limits of small size of the cutter and the vinyl. Steve Greenfield --- crankorgan <john@...> wrote: Steve, __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
crankorgan
Steve,
Don't take the plotter apart until you look at: Also, hooking up a Dremel or other tool to a Plotter has a drawback. Pen-up and pen-down signals are too fast. If you use a dashpot to slow the solenoid, the X Y will start moving before the Dremel is down all the way. A plotter can make really nice boards. It is possible to gut a plotter and drive it using GCode files. Then using the Z axis movement you can get the timing right. John |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
My concern was that it was becoming personal.
Tony, your website looks like you are pretty advanced. Is it possible that John's paper is aimed more at the beginner? Reviews are most definitely on topic but keep in mind that a reasoned explanation is a lot more useful than a slam. Posting your On Topic website, commercial or not is allowed here but only if you stay around to answer questions. John is obviously staying to take part, as are you. I was sent a 5.25 inch disk, Commodore formatted, that contains a Basic program for a Commodore PET computer. It is for milling and drilling PCBs. That is his machine in the Files section. I have a C128 in the basement that I'm going to try and read it with. I'm not going to set up a PET, don't have one, but I'm looking forward to picking over the code and seeing how he did it. Otherwise I'm thinking of tearing apart an HP pen plotter. Use the electronics with beefed up stepper drivers and drive a homebuilt engraver. Then I could just use a vector drawing program like CorelDraw, Illustrator, etc. to drive it with HPGL driver. Has anyone here bought and maybe built one of John Nachbaur's plans? Steve Greenfield --- Tony Jeffree <tony@...> wrote: Steve - __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
Tony Jeffree
Steve -
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It is unfortunate that this has ended up as a slanging match, and I apologize for my part in that. My intention, when I saw what looked like a pretty blatant piece of product marketing on John's part (pointing the members of this eGroup at his web page offering his booklet for sale), was to point out that the product might not live up to expectations as to value-for-money (as it most definitely had not, in my case). I believe that if you put stuff up for sale, you'd better be prepared to defend how much you charge for it. Regards, Tony At 13:20 01/04/2002 -0800, you wrote:
John, let comments like his roll off your back like water off a |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
John, let comments like his roll off your back like water off a
duck. Don't return insult for insult, either of you. I like John's principles- use good-enough parts so you don't spend a fortune. Not everyone -needs- to machine steel, me for instance. I'm also one of those people who does not have a machine shop, who's current milling machine is a drill press and clamps and who's lathe is currently just a wood lathe. Steve, the moderator --- crankorgan <john@...> wrote: -snip- --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Tony Jeffree <tony@j...> wrote:-snip- __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover |
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
crankorgan
Tony,
Learn to read! $20 not $35. My 4th axis "Pooka" can be built with hand tools. To build your designs a person needs a machine shop. Lets face it your designs are nothing new. You must own a bunch of old mags that you steal from. My designs are innovative and fun! Keep putting up free stuff, because nobody is going to pay you for something they can buy cheaper. Get a life! Where is the moderator! My first message and this guy shows up! John --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Tony Jeffree <tony@j...> wrote: At 17:54 01/04/2002 +0000, you wrote:subtracting theTony,You're right, and my heart bleeds for you. However, even shipping, it was an expensive way of buying 15 sheets of paper -and at least if they'd been blank sheets I could have re-used them...to my ownOne year has passed. I have designed several more cheap CNCNo, but in the intervening year I have added more *free* articles website, on other topics. Work on other stuff has gotten in the wayof paying serious attention to PCB milling, but it is still on thelist. website, before you pay $35 for his plans of a 4th axis constructed out of "Twogears, a floppy drive stepping motor and some PVC" (to quote John' ownwords), check out:design, is actually usable for light milling of materials harder than softwax or wood - I have successfully used it to machine items in brass andsteel, for example.much.A year is a long time!You're right...and a year on, $18 for sweet FA is still way too
|
Re: Milling Circuit Boards
Tony Jeffree
At 17:54 01/04/2002 +0000, you wrote:
Tony,You're right, and my heart bleeds for you. However, even subtracting the shipping, it was an expensive way of buying 15 sheets of paper - and at least if they'd been blank sheets I could have re-used them... One year has passed. I have designed several more cheap CNCNo, but in the intervening year I have added more *free* articles to my own website, on other topics. Work on other stuff has gotten in the way of paying serious attention to PCB milling, but it is still on the list. And by the way, for the benefit of other visitors to John's website, before you pay $35 for his plans of a 4th axis constructed out of "Two gears, a floppy drive stepping motor and some PVC" (to quote John' own words), check out: which describes how to construct a CNC 4th axis that, unlike John's design, is actually usable for light milling of materials harder than soft wax or wood - I have successfully used it to machine items in brass and steel, for example. A year is a long time!You're right...and a year on, $18 for sweet FA is still way too much. Regards, Tony |
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