Making PCBs with CNC Machines
PCB design process is usually done using electronic software such as OrCAD, Protel, Eagle etc., then proceeded to the printing stage using laser printer or photocopy to transfer paper media, or glossy paper. Then the tonner on the paper is transferred to the PCB using heat, usually using an iron. After that is done the dissolving and drilling stage. It ends with a cleaning and coating process so that oxidation does not occur. This process is quite efficient but still quite troublesome.
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Making PCBs can be done by using CNC Machines to facilitate in the manufacturing process. The pcb manufacturing process is done by creating design, printing, and dissolving process. Using CNC Machine (Computer Numerical Control) can facilitate the drilling process automatically because this machine has a drill bit that can move in three dimensions so that it can perform drilling automatically.
This CNC machine can also be used to dispose of the copper coating of the PCB which is not needed so that we can create pcb lines without going through the dissolving process. CNC machines are capable of making the smallest lines of 0.4mm, including the path that passes between the two ic legs so that it is very flexible in the manufacture of lines between electronic components.
The process of making the path there are two types that are disposing of the copper layer area around the pcb line called the enggraving process, the second is to dispose of the entire layer of uns needed copper called hatching. Engraving process will be faster than hatching process due to less discarded copper area.
The process of making pcb by enggraving is much faster than the pcb process by dissolving, because without going through the process of film and screen printing. In comparison to make pcb 10x10cm takes between 15-20 minutes whereas if by way of dissolving can take a longer time. The process of making PCB by enggraving is perfect for making pcb prototypes.
