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Message

Looking for ideas - Work holding for PCB drilling/routing?

2006-08-28 by lcdpublishing

Hi guys,

I am looking for some ideas on work holding for PCBs.  I plan to do 
drilling and probably some isolation milling with my CNC machine.  
So far I have made good progress on most apsects of the machine's 
design, but the one thing that continues to elude me is the work 
holding.

I would think that there should be a waste or spoil board under the 
PCB that is being machined - this is normal in other similar 
applications.  So, I figure I would use masonite or other similar 
and cheap material.

Of the very few photos I have seen for workholding, the only two 
methods I have seen so far are

1) Basic toe clamps which clamp the work down to the table. Simple 
and effective, but would prefer something more elegant

2) Some sort of clamping system that comes in from the edges.  This 
is appealing as it can be made for short in height.  

Both examples have limitations and such so I am looking for any and 
all ideas. If you have any suggestions or know of any photos showing 
PCB clamping, I sure would appreciate a link to the photos.

Chris

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