Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "Tim Goldstein" <timg@k...> wrote:
> No, your question would not be considered off topic on the
> CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO group. It directly deals with the design and 
building of
> a hobby CNC machine.

Thanks Tim, thats good to know. 

 
> No direct experience with anti-backlash acme screws or a machine 
based
> on linear bearings and rods, but I have done some PCB drilling on my
> Shoptask and on my Bridgeport. My resolution was on the Shoptask at 
the
> time was .00025" and that worked out just fine. I would actually 
venture
> a guess that you could get by with resolution in the .0005" - .001"
> range. 

I've been doing some searching (see links below) and although I 
havent yet found many Hobby PCB Routing/Drilling sites but the 
commercial ones gave me some needed info. One unit that sells for 
$6k+ uses 0.00025" resolution and says MIT, NASA, ATT... use their 
products. With that in mind I agree that 0.0005" to 0.001" resolution 
would be fine for hobby use. I'll probably start using the Gecko 201 
drives I bought from you (10 microstep, info for others) and then use 
it to make my own Drivers (probably L298 based) for this unit. It 
will probably double as an engraver. Something else to play with. :)

I've also been emailng with Alan Marconett KM6VV whos also a member 
of both groups.


>For the spindle I am a big fan of using a collet style Foredom
> flexshaft hand piece. This lets you mount the motor remotely so you 
have
> a small light spindle on the machine and gives you a spindle speed 
of
> 15,000 - 20,000 RPM depending upon the motor and handpiece you use. 
It
> worked well for me when I used one in my Shoptask. I am now using a
> Precise 40,000 RPM spindle in the Bridgeport and that works even 
better,
> but can be a little spendy.
> 
> Tim
> [Denver, CO]
> Back-up CAD_CAM list mom

This is more of a For The Fun Of It Project and won't see a lot of 
use so i'll be sticking to the RTX. But I agree that for frequent use 
and greater speed the Foredom Flexshaft would be a much better option.

This project is also to get some Hands On experience with CNC, 
Stepper Motors, Linear Motion, CAM Software... before I build my CNC 
router, which is the reason I bought the Gecko's.

Thanks
mike

http://www.majosoft.com/

http://www.mutronic.de/e_diadrive2000.htm

http://www.pcbmilling.com/

http://www.morris.com.au/technical/w_nc.htm
  Links at bottom for more

http://www.uslink.net/~cybercir/cir7.htm

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/9643/TraceWidth.htm

http://www.industrycommunity.com/myforum/jw_childers/

http://www.aracnet.com/~gpatrick/

http://www.drillbitcity.com/

http://www.drilltechnology.com