> Such machines exist commercially. They are quite exepnsive
> (the cheapest I saw was ~IR=A38000)
I went to the Westec '99 tradeshow today (in the Los Angeles
Convention Center). It's for machine tools, like mills,
lathes, bandsaws, etc.
I saw 4 different desktop sized computer controlled milling
machines. Prices ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on
size & features. Looked like they could deal with pieces up
to about 6" x 10" (15cm x 25cm) -- that's an visual estimate.
Control was via either a serial or parallel interface.
All of them could easily handle copper clad board stock.
>>> Hey, and what about to drill directly the PCB,
>
>> Such machines exist commercially. They are quite exepnsive
>> (the cheapest I saw was ~IR=A38000)
>
>I went to the Westec '99 tradeshow today (in the Los Angeles
>Convention Center). It's for machine tools, like mills,
>lathes, bandsaws, etc.
>
>I saw 4 different desktop sized computer controlled milling
>machines. Prices ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on
>size & features. Looked like they could deal with pieces up
>to about 6" x 10" (15cm x 25cm) -- that's an visual estimate.
>Control was via either a serial or parallel interface.
>
>All of them could easily handle copper clad board stock.
>
> Lee Jones
>
>
>>>> Hey, and what about to drill directly the PCB,
>> Westec '99 tradeshow
>> I saw 4 different desktop sized computer controlled milling
>> machines. Prices ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 depending
>>
>> All of them could easily handle copper clad board stock.
> Do you have any details of who makes them? They sound very cheap.
Not that I can recall. I don't know if I picked up literature
on any of them or not. I know I didn't get info on all 4.
> Were they sold as pcb millers or as something else?
They were being sold as general purpose, light duty mills.
Joe McCauley a Žcrit:
>
> Lee,
>
> Do you have any details of who makes them? They sound very cheap.
> Werev they sold as pcb millers or as something else?
> Joe
>
I did not check the prices but there is a company in the Ottawa region
in Canada that makes such machines.
> At 00:17 24/03/99 -0800, you wrote:
> >>> Hey, and what about to drill directly the PCB,
> >
> >> Such machines exist commercially. They are quite exepnsive
> >> (the cheapest I saw was ~IR=A38000)
> >
> >I went to the Westec '99 tradeshow today (in the Los Angeles
> >Convention Center). It's for machine tools, like mills,
> >lathes, bandsaws, etc.
> >
> >I saw 4 different desktop sized computer controlled milling
> >machines. Prices ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on
> >size & features. Looked like they could deal with pieces up
> >to about 6" x 10" (15cm x 25cm) -- that's an visual estimate.
> >Control was via either a serial or parallel interface.
> >
> >All of them could easily handle copper clad board stock.
> >
> > Lee Jones
> >
> >
I've personally used them before, however, a note
of caution, the plotters are generally a bit slow, a typical
board takes about at least an hour or more, and you have to put up
with the cutting noise unless a special room is made to contain
it.
Go for the auto drill bits changer models, you do not want
to sit and wait for the drill bits changing prompt.
I use one at work. That machene has made me look the hero
on many, many occasions. It is really cool to go from concept
to pc-board in just a few hours. The only down side: people
collect to watch it make the boards!
>Try LPKF's ProtoMat PCB Plotter machine
>
> http://www.lpkf.de/home_us.htm
>
>I've personally used them before, however, a note
>of caution, the plotters are generally a bit slow, a typical
>board takes about at least an hour or more, and you have to put up
>with the cutting noise unless a special room is made to contain
>it.
>
>Go for the auto drill bits changer models, you do not want
>to sit and wait for the drill bits changing prompt.
>
>Peter Tiang
>email: .....petertiangKILLspam@spam@pd.jaring.my
>web: http://members.xoom.com/usb_gaming
>
>================================================================
>
Speaking from experience (my company previously manufactured a high end
desktop milling machine) be careful when your looking at these. Tolerance,
speed and abilities vary widely. Pay particular attention to how easy it
would be to actually do a board. Most of them require some pretty unique
steps and software to carry this out. Not all machines will provide you with
the software.
On the plus side, some do produce very nice single sided boards. Easily do
surface mount with fine pitch(excepting the ones with lousy tolerances).
Double sided is somewhat more tricky.
> I use one at work. That machene has made me look the hero
> on many, many occasions. It is really cool to go from concept
> to pc-board in just a few hours. The only down side: people
> collect to watch it make the boards!
>
> ---Lou
>
>
>
> >Try LPKF's ProtoMat PCB Plotter machine
> >
> > http://www.lpkf.de/home_us.htm
> >
> >I've personally used them before, however, a note
> >of caution, the plotters are generally a bit slow, a typical
> >board takes about at least an hour or more, and you have to put up
> >with the cutting noise unless a special room is made to contain
> >it.
> >
> >Go for the auto drill bits changer models, you do not want
> >to sit and wait for the drill bits changing prompt.
> >
> >Peter Tiang
> >email: petertiangspam_OUTpd.jaring.my
> >web: http://members.xoom.com/usb_gaming
> >
> >================================================================
> >
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