cyclone-pcb-factory/README.md

Cyclone-PCB-Factory

The first 3D-printable (Rep-Rap alike) CNC machine, intended for PCB manufacture.

Disclaimer

This hardware/software is provided “as is," and you use the hardware/software at your own risk. Under nocircumstances shall Carlosgs be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse, or inability to use this hardware/software, even if Carlosgs has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

News:

• First Z probing results are promising, read: https://plus.google.com/u/0/113437723819360223498/posts/9VCHqqnirj6 and https://plus.google.com/u/0/113437723819360223498/posts/89W2cv1fgQW
• Added the python probing script (v0.1) and Octave/Matlab visualizer

Videos:

• v0.9.5 Probing a PCB http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5zXL8k5T9E
• v0.9.5 Milling MDF http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QpxjheEjEc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjav0hBtmYA
• v0.8 Drawing test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-HSdE89JOM
• v0.7.5 XY axis test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9umlq4oHG64
• v0.7.5 High speed XY test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3uYCXryj60

Bill of materials:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsQp8IK25R4IdGk3LTdOWmpFR0Nrc0RhaVJaUC1CMUE

Notes:

• Using a thick wood piece as the main base.
• As shown in one of the pictures, a cheap dremel-like drill has nice bearings and is a good option as the main tool. Finally it will be using a proper spindle (check the BOM for the reference).
• Desired working range of >=100mm for the X axis and >=160mm for the Y axis.
• Parts are designed to be printable with the small volume of a Printrbot Jr
• Bed leveling will be done with probing and an appropriate software.

To-Do list:

• [99% DONE] Design parts for the X axis (this includes Z axis too, will be using a proper spindle instead of a hand-drill)
• [DONE] Design parts for the Y axis
• [DONE] Create template for the screws in the wood base
• Software, testing, milling a PCB (till then, it can't be v1.0 :P)...

Software

Here is a compilation of links that I find interesting for the software controller:

• http://www.re-innovation.co.uk/web12/index.php/en/blog-75/181-making-pcbs-with-a-cnc-machine

• http://phk.freebsd.dk/CncPcb/

• http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Touch_Probe

• http://things.onshoulders.org/software/PcbSubtraction.php

• http://www.cnczone.com/forums/pcb_milling/82628-cheap_simple_height-probing-5.html

• http://drillcity.stores.yahoo.net/

• http://www.drewtronics.net/

• Examples of the PCB probing method

• onshouldersTv: Open Source Circuit Boards at Home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-5SRtwx3kY

• PCB routing using the Probe method http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwgT9sCL8fs

• http://pcbgcode.org/

• http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/pcb2gcode/index.php?title=Main_Page

• Very interesting toguether with cam.py: http://code.google.com/p/pygerber2gcode/

• http://replicat.org/generators

• For arranging panels: http://ruggedcircuits.com/gerbmerge/

License: CC-BY-SA

Attribution - Share Alike - Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/).

Special thanks:

• Z axis concepts by Quim Borras and the spindle motor holder by Misan were really useful!! Also, Diego Viejo's machine was of great inspiration for the Z axis (https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113930344830086538817/albums/5868944432651911713?authkey=CLDJgdehlN773gE) Thank you all!!
• This design woudn't have been possible without the encouragement of the Panda CNC community (https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102402711800402614517)
• Also, thanks to Obijuan (http://iearobotics.com) for naming the machine Cyclone :)

Credit for the ideas used

The origin of Cyclone took place while I was inside the Panda CNC community (https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102402711800402614517). This is from December 2012 to mid-February 2013.
Here is the credit for the ideas that were used:

• Let’s design a 3D-printable CNC for PCB milling, it will be named Panda: Guillermo Welch (mid-December, via Google Talk)
• X carriage rod distribution: César Augusto Fernández Cano claims Cyclone's X axis is a derivate of his concept: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111421387442355054591/posts/QrfYtEuZBaj
• 100x160mm workspace: David Martin https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16122275/PandaCNC_credit/workplace_size.png
• Using gears to drive the X-Y axes: Guillermo Welch https://plus.google.com/u/0/101232926728463427403/posts/QjZGNcWcgGg
• Regarding the woodbase: Guillermo Welch always contemplated the possibility of attaching the machine (optionally) to a woodbase. I decided to use the base as a main structural part instead. See https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16122275/PandaCNC_credit/woodbase.png (screenshot from https://plus.google.com/u/0/113437723819360223498/posts/8LDCSSVWqCS)
• List of CNC endmill types: David Martin https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16122275/PandaCNC_credit/cnc_endmill_types.png

Please note I have taken screenshots of the post that are on the closed G+ Panda community (https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116318709564872967169). You can register and see by yourself.

All other development present on Cyclone has nothing to do with Panda and is not related to the Panda project.