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muddy0409

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Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 125

Posted: 05:33pm 29 Dec 2011

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Well, I shouted myself a small CNC milling machine for chrissy. Working quite well so far. Have done a couple of PCBs and they look OK.
Is there anyone out there who would like to have a board done by milling, REAL CHEAP!!
Can only do single sided and preferably with pretty big tracks (>1.5mm) I am able to do the design from a hand drawn map if you like. I use Protel Advanced PCB, so a board in this format can also be handled. Haven't used Eagle at all so that format is of no value.
This is an exercise only, to help me work it all out. I have a reasonable supply of board blanks (6" x 4") and would be willing to do a couple for less than $10 including postage.
Anyway, if there is any interest, post a reply and I will follow up with you.
OZ "customers" only please.

Regards,
Muddy0409
(Peter Moritz)
PORT HEDLAND WA

Don't poo poo conspiracy theories.
Remember that everything ever discovered started somewhere as a theory.

Tinker

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Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 12:38pm 30 Dec 2011

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Hi Muddy,
An interesting solution for your PCB's. I dunno what advantages this would have against etching in small board runs (< 5 boards at a time). Though drilling the myriad of tiny holes with CNC control could be very useful.

If you have a picture of one of your milled tracks I would like to see just how the track edges look. The other thing I'm curious about is how you keep the blank perfectly flat - if its not then the 'bit' could mill into the substrate or not go all the way through the copper layer. Also a pic of the whole machine is of interest here.

Klaus in Perth

Klaus

muddy0409

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Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 125

Posted: 03:35pm 30 Dec 2011

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Do a search in Ebay for "3020 CNC". This should bring up more photos than I have.
PM me your address and I will post you one of my early small boards. You can then put it under the microscope.
Board is held flat with clamps on the bed.

Muddy0409Edited by muddy0409 2012-01-01

Don't poo poo conspiracy theories.
Remember that everything ever discovered started somewhere as a theory.

muddy0409

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Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 125

Posted: 09:15am 05 Jan 2012

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Hmmm...
Not as much interest as I thought there would be.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to come up with my own designs then.

Don't poo poo conspiracy theories.
Remember that everything ever discovered started somewhere as a theory.

Tinker

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Joined: 07/11/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 1904

Posted: 01:42pm 05 Jan 2012

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muddy0409 said Hmmm...
Not as much interest as I thought there would be.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to come up with my own designs then.

Well Muddy, in my case it was just curiosity. I certainly will look up the CNC site you quoted.
As I just started making my own PCB boards by the etch method and actually getting the hang of it I'll have to decline your offer to make them for me.
I like to have some fun too

Klaus

muddy0409

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Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 125

Posted: 06:24am 06 Jan 2012

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Okie Doke.
The other thing this little machine does is engraving.
Makes some real nice front panels for project boxes.
But like a lot of things you buy these days, they are certainly capable of doing stuff, IF YOU FORK OUT FOR THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE TO ADD.
So far It's cost me $600 for assorted programs, but I think I am OK now, until I want to do something new and have to google for some answers.

Muddy.

Don't poo poo conspiracy theories.
Remember that everything ever discovered started somewhere as a theory.

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