Homebrew PCBs

"Let's just open it up to anything Robert feels like, because it's all about
Robert."

- You have absolutely no idea how far from the truth you are.  I do not care
about owning a list, all I care about is being able to discuss a PCB
drilling station.


"I get all kinds of wierd accusations and demands."

- I believe that.  But I'm not making any accusations nor am I making a
demand.  I'm asking if you permit discussing all aspects of a DIY PCB
drilling station and not just select topics.


"Oh, yeah, you're welcome. I should be grateful for the paycheck I (don't)
get for running the list."

- We all volunteer in one form or another and none of us expect any thanks
or renumeration for our work (pics, tutorials, schematics, etc).


"Just because you put "drilling station" in the subject line doesn't make it
on topic here."

- It is since you gave us permission to discuss it and the post is about a
part of a drilling station.


"You are obviously a beginner designing a rudimentary power supply."

- I'm pretty sure I said that already.


"Just the thing for Electronics_101 list."

- Yes, but YOU are the one that asked that we keep information on this
project in one central place.  What happens when we will discuss the tool
changer?  What group will you send us for that?  What about those that will
want to use component pick and place mechanisms?


"Nothing like baiting the listowner."

- You obviously haven't read anything of what I said.  None of it was
provocation, it was a request for clarification.  Can we or can't we,
nothing more.


I'm not here to have a pissing contest with you.  All I ask (not demand) was
for consistency when it comes to the station.  As I said, there will be all
sorts of peripheral devices that will be added on this project. None of them
directly related with making PCBs, but they will still be an important
feature.

Now if you are going to say that this device may only drill holes, then
that's a different story.  But I personally have a lot of plans for my
machine and I believe several others do too.  I don't have money for several
tools, so I try to incorporate as many features as I can into what I build.
My machine will be built for prototyping and small production runs.

I intend to have some sort of track pin installation mechanism; most likely
a wire fed through a hole, bent and cut by automated pliers.  I also want a
camera to monitor progress and quality; there will be all sorts of specific
problems there.  I also want to apply solder paste for track pins and common
SMD parts like resistors and capacitors.  Then I'd like the machine to be
able to place the SMD components for me so I can then transfer the PCB into
an oven for soldering.  I also want to be able to route my traces directly
on the PCB eliminating the chemical etching process.  This requires more
precision and strength that a Dremel can handle.  It will undoubtedly
generate discussions on all sorts of board-holding devices (clamps, vacuum,
etc), so as to keep the PCB perfectly flat and remove only copper and barely
any FR4.

All these different features are ALL related to fabricating a printed
circuit board.  None of the few features I've listed are extravagant either,
and I'm sure others will have even more things they want to do.  I want my
machine to do the most it can do; not to show off my grand invention, but
because I am not in perfect health nor do I know if I will lose some more
motor control.  The more it can do for me the better.  I want to build it so
that even my non-technical wife will be able to operate it given a checklist
of things to do.


"I'm sure you're one of those guys who screams at cops directing traffic
when you don't get waved through when you think you should."

- Nope, I'm a volunteer fireman, I stop and help all the time.  It's my
responsibility, even if I don't get paid for what I do.  And no, I'm not a
'paid' volunteer fireman either.


Robert



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