Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "mikezcnc" <eemikez@c...> 
wrote:
> I see no reason to use EDM for PCB mechanical etching. It sounds 
> like an insane idea.  Mike

Why is that Mike?

While I love cutting metal with a variety of machines, I don't see 
why using EDM would be bad for this application.  It could be a 
relatively fast process provided the power supply and electrodes are 
worked out properly.  The programming process that one fellow has 
proposed is to work from a bitmap image which means 
the "programming" would be fast and easy.  Wouldn't require any 
software to create the mill paths.

So, as much as I love cutting metal, I am just as eager to burn it.

However, ideally, what I would love to see is an additive process as 
opposed to subtractive.  In other words, instead of removing copper 
where we don't want it (thus wasting the resource), applying the 
copper to where we need it - much more resource responsible.  

Some chemist somewhere has got to figure out a way to make copper 
into a liquid form that can be "painted" onto a circuit board and 
make it stick there.  This would be the ideal method in my opinion 
as it wouldn't waste resources (Copper), it would be efficient (not 
adding something and then remmoving it), and it should be easy to 
make a CNC machine apply the copper traces (using a wide variety of 
in-expensive software).

So, I guess my perspective is that chemical etching or cutting away 
the copper is insane ;-)

Chris