Small CNC: Difference between revisions
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== Safety == | == Safety == | ||
[[File:Cnc e-stop.jpg|thumb| | [[File:Cnc e-stop.jpg|thumb|400x400px|Emergency stop|none]] | ||
* Emergency stop (E-stop) cuts power to motors, should be released only when milling is in progress | * Emergency stop (E-stop) cuts power to motors, should be released only when milling is in progress | ||
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=== Tools, bits, drills === | === Tools, bits, drills === | ||
[[File:Cnc tool box.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Tool box|right]]There's a box with a lot of various tools. Few are going to be useful for PCB milling: a sharp cutting tool, a 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm drill and the 3.175 mm sideways drill. | [[File:Cnc tool box.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Tool box|right]] | ||
[[File:Mill three bits.jpg|thumb|200x200px|V-shaped tool, 0.8 mm drill, and 3.175 cutting bit]] | |||
There's a box with a lot of various tools. Few are going to be useful for PCB milling: a sharp cutting tool, a 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm drill and the 3.175 mm sideways drill. | |||
Use 13 mm and 17 mm wrenches to unscrew the tool holder and replace the tool. | Use 13 mm and 17 mm wrenches to unscrew the tool holder and replace the tool. | ||
Latest revision as of 07:05, 21 September 2026
Safety
- Emergency stop (E-stop) cuts power to motors, should be released only when milling is in progress
- Debris and broken tool parts my go flying from the spindle. Wear eye protection when E-stop is released!
Operation
Milling machine
Small three axis CNC machine, controlled by PC with LinuxCNC.
Good for PCB Milling!
Motor driver and spindle controller
Normally set to be controlled by PC, but provides manual spindle control.
Also contains the emergency stop.
LinuxCNC controller
PC running LinuxCNC atop RTAI kernel. Provides manual movement control and runs GCode programs.
Spindle cooling
Water needs to flow when spindle is running. Turned on/off via extension plug along with mill and controllers.
Tools, bits, drills
There's a box with a lot of various tools. Few are going to be useful for PCB milling: a sharp cutting tool, a 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm drill and the 3.175 mm sideways drill.
Use 13 mm and 17 mm wrenches to unscrew the tool holder and replace the tool.
Workpiece probing
Probe triggers when there's a conductive path from it to tool/chasis ground. To use it, the workpiece needs to be isolated from tool/chasis ground and have the proble clamped to it.
Tips & Tricks
GCode simulation/preview
You can verify if everything is correct by importing all files to Camotics G-code simulator.
Ideally your board should start at positive X, Y coordinates with lower left corner near X0/Y0.
Useful GCodes
- G0 X0 Y0 F100 -- Non-cutting move to X0 Y0 at 100mm/min, Z coordinate stays
- G38.2 Z-5 F30 -- Move Z up to -5mm at 30mm/min (slowly) until probe trips
Pictures
Feel free to upload pictures of your finished PCBs and add link(s) to following gallery:
