Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 2007-01-25 at 14:03 +0000, adam wrote:
> Hello all!
> 
> Been a while since I posted here, if I've ever posting here at all. I
> have mainly been just reading the group, didn't really have much to
> improve on anyone's ideas, until now. 

I'm working on developing a CNC drilling/milling kit, which will have
the stepper motors, the host communications, the calibration, user
interface etc all controlled from a single PIC.

Aim is to have a kit, with preprogrammed PIC, PC software and all parts
and instructions ready to ship for well south of USD$600.

Already got the PIC software working - just waiting on a mechanical
engineer friend (ex Air Force) to pull his finger out and get back to me
with his mechanical prototype and BOM.

Shall announce later when it's ready.

Cheers
David


> I want to mention the plans I bought for a PCB mill. I decided on the
> Rockcliff CNC machine because it was scalable, and I don't need a HUGE
> machine for making PCBs. I got them a while ago on ebay, but they've
> recently been updated and improved a ton! Since I have yet to actually
> build the machine, I emailed the guy I got the plans from and he gave
> me the new version for free! 
> 
> Looking the plans over, the machine has been improved, and assembly
> has been made easier to understand. There are even stepper motor
> driver schematics and PCB files. (while not the best stepper driver, I
> believe it'll do the job if you can't get a kit from xylotex or
> hobbycnc.com) Like I said, its easily scalable, so I plan on making a
> desktop-sized one later. I'm currently working on my own design and
> software for a small mill.
> 
> Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know about it, also, when i bought
> the plans, they were $40... he dropped the price to $30, so if you
> can get the plans, I highly suggest doing so. definitely worth it.
> 
> Let me know what you guys think,
> 
> Adam
> 
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