Anyone make PCBs with Othermill?

[sms]

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
<https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

 

[krw]

On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com>
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:

On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

 

[John S]

On 7/7/2015 2:48 AM, Klaus Kragelund wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

What did you do about the PTH?

 

[rickman]

On 7/6/2015 7:23 PM, sms wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

Is that supposed to b e 0.005" spacing? I can't imagine 50 mils being a
problem. 5 mils might be an issue though.

The one I saw used had a tapered bit. So by adjusting the height the
width of the cut could be adjusted. Of course the tip was fairly
fragile and often broke.

--

Rick

 

[John Larkin]

On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com>
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

Milled PCBs are very limited. They take a lot of time to set up and
make, and they don't have vias, multiple layers, solder mask or
silkscreens or decent plating. If your time is worth anything, order a
few nice 4-layer boards from a quickturn PCB house.

We had an expensive PCB milling machine for a while, on loan. It
wasn't worth using.


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing laser drivers and controllers

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

 

[John Larkin]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
<klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Our products are 4-10 layers and have BGAs, chip-scale parts, and at
least hundreds of parts, sometime over a thousand. We don't prototype,
and couldn't prototype on a milled board anyhow.

We do occasionally make small breadboards to test one part or one
little circuit, where we don't have the data or tools to be confident.
We hack them on copperclad with adapters, or order a few real 4-layer
boards with PTHs and solder mask and silk and gold plating. Most
product designs go from concept to a manufactured, sellable rev A
without any physical breadboarding or protos.

I'd argue that in most cases prototyping slows down development and
wastes engineering/tech hours and teaches bad habits. Might make sense
for microstrip filters or patch antennas, maybe, if you don't trust
your tools.

I work with companies that assume prototype, a couple of betas,
preproduction, pilot production, and production versions. It takes
them years to get anything done.


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing laser drivers and controllers

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

 

[Lasse Langwadt Christense]

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 20.57.23 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Anyone make such a milling machine priced for home hobbyist use?

you can get a Chinese router/engraver on ebay for ~$500 that would do the job but for hobby use it doesn't make much sense, you'll spend more in tool bits than it cost to get a prober pcb made and delivered in a few weeks

http://pcbshopper.com/ compares a number of cheap board houses

as an example, 10 pieces, 10x10cm, 2 layers, delivered with UPS express in 8 days ~$30


-Lasse

 

[Lasse Langwadt Christense]

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 22.15.18 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 13:07:17 -0700 (PDT), Lasse Langwadt Christensen
langwadt@fonz.dk> wrote:

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 20.57.23 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Anyone make such a milling machine priced for home hobbyist use?


you can get a Chinese router/engraver on ebay for ~$500 that would do the job but for hobby use it doesn't make much sense, you'll spend more in tool bits than it cost to get a prober pcb made and delivered in a few weeks

http://pcbshopper.com/ compares a number of cheap board houses

as an example, 10 pieces, 10x10cm, 2 layers, delivered with UPS express in 8 days ~$30


-Lasse

My only thought was, in the prototyping phase, I'm often prone to
screw-ups ;-)

doing ICs I would think you had learned to "measure twice, cut once"

But, for G-jobs, maybe I should not hurry and beat the scheme to death
with simulations... then order a board.

makes a lot more sense, you still have to do the design, schematic,
layout, find all the parts etc. so the week or two that it takes to
get a board doesn't add that much


-Lasse

 

[krw]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
<klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

I can breadboard much faster than get someone to do a layout and I can
get eight layer boards in a week. A two-layer prototype is a day away
(after layout). Four layer, two days - tops.

 

[Hul Tytus]

Where is a 2 layer board available in one day? That's wiring the layout
Monday morning before sunshine and getting Tuesday via UPS or FedEx or
similiar?

Hul

krw <krw@nowhere.com> wrote:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

I can breadboard much faster than get someone to do a layout and I can
get eight layer boards in a week. A two-layer prototype is a day away
(after layout). Four layer, two days - tops.

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
<klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Anyone make such a milling machine priced for home hobbyist use?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 13:07:17 -0700 (PDT), Lasse Langwadt Christensen
<langwadt@fonz.dk> wrote:

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 20.57.23 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Anyone make such a milling machine priced for home hobbyist use?


you can get a Chinese router/engraver on ebay for ~$500 that would do the job but for hobby use it doesn't make much sense, you'll spend more in tool bits than it cost to get a prober pcb made and delivered in a few weeks

http://pcbshopper.com/ compares a number of cheap board houses

as an example, 10 pieces, 10x10cm, 2 layers, delivered with UPS express in 8 days ~$30


-Lasse

My only thought was, in the prototyping phase, I'm often prone to
screw-ups ;-)

But, for G-jobs, maybe I should not hurry and beat the scheme to death
with simulations... then order a board.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 13:33:56 -0700 (PDT), Lasse Langwadt Christensen
<langwadt@fonz.dk> wrote:

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 22.15.18 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 13:07:17 -0700 (PDT), Lasse Langwadt Christensen
langwadt@fonz.dk> wrote:

Den tirsdag den 7. juli 2015 kl. 20.57.23 UTC+2 skrev Jim Thompson:
On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Anyone make such a milling machine priced for home hobbyist use?


you can get a Chinese router/engraver on ebay for ~$500 that would do the job but for hobby use it doesn't make much sense, you'll spend more in tool bits than it cost to get a prober pcb made and delivered in a few weeks

http://pcbshopper.com/ compares a number of cheap board houses

as an example, 10 pieces, 10x10cm, 2 layers, delivered with UPS express in 8 days ~$30


-Lasse

My only thought was, in the prototyping phase, I'm often prone to
screw-ups ;-)

doing ICs I would think you had learned to "measure twice, cut once"

For my own personal stuff it's not only sometimes hurried, but often
times using less than adequate Spice models... like I recently built
up a (telephone) ring detector with a IC specifically for that
purpose... didn't behave like the Spice model at all :-(

But, for G-jobs, maybe I should not hurry and beat the scheme to death
with simulations... then order a board.


makes a lot more sense, you still have to do the design, schematic,
layout, find all the parts etc. so the week or two that it takes to
get a board doesn't add that much


-Lasse

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| San Tan Valley, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

 

[sms]

On 7/7/2015 12:56 AM, John S wrote:

On 7/7/2015 2:48 AM, Klaus Kragelund wrote:
On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to
use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to
use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at
least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast
prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a
working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

What did you do about the PTH?

You can't do those. No big deal these days with so few through-hold parts.


--
"It's best not to argue with people who are determined to lose. Once
you've told them about a superior alternative your responsibility is
fulfilled and you can allow them to lose in peace." Mark Crispin,
inventor of the IMAP protocol.

 

[John Larkin]

On Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:56:45 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com>
wrote:

On 7/7/2015 12:56 AM, John S wrote:
On 7/7/2015 2:48 AM, Klaus Kragelund wrote:
On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to
use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to
use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at
least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast
prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a
working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

What did you do about the PTH?

You can't do those. No big deal these days with so few through-hold parts.

The issue is vias.


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing precision measurement

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

 

[krw]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 22:15:17 +0000 (UTC), Hul Tytus <ht@panix.com>
wrote:

Where is a 2 layer board available in one day? That's wiring the layout
Monday morning before sunshine and getting Tuesday via UPS or FedEx or
similiar?

Something like that. Not sure where. Our CAD group and purchasing
take care of the details. It's not done often, though. There isn't
much call for 2-layer boards.

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 9:56:07 AM UTC+2, John S wrote:

On 7/7/2015 2:48 AM, Klaus Kragelund wrote:
On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

What did you do about the PTH?

Normally we used single sided SMD, but there's was also the posibility of chemical vias to make PTH

Cheers

Klaus

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 5:35:22 PM UTC+2, John Larkin wrote:

On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

Milled PCBs are very limited. They take a lot of time to set up and
make, and they don't have vias, multiple layers, solder mask or
silkscreens or decent plating. If your time is worth anything, order a
few nice 4-layer boards from a quickturn PCB house.

We had an expensive PCB milling machine for a while, on loan. It
wasn't worth using.

Probably true for your line of work, if you don't use very high density circuit, then it's perfectly ok. Each time you save 100USD for a prototype PCB

Cheers

Klaus

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 5:52:03 PM UTC+2, John Larkin wrote:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2015 00:48:01 -0700 (PDT), Klaus Kragelund
klauskvik@hotmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 2:54:30 AM UTC+2, krw wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:23:07 -0700, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com
wrote:

The place I'm contracting has one of these:
https://othermachine.co/othermill/features/> and they want me to use it
to build some prototype boards.

They're going to bring over a Mac tomorrow since I don't have one to use
with the machine (incredibly, there is no Windows software for this
machine).

Hoping it can do 0.05" spacing well enough.

There has been a tool something like this in the last two places I've
worked. Neither had/has been used in the time I've been there. By
the time you get the layout done, it's easier and better to just get a
board made. They're a waste, IMO.

The last place I worked we had a LKPD milling machine. We used it at least 4-5 times per week and it was great for producing fast prototyping. We could come up with an idea in the morning and have a working PCB in the afternoon. With PCB prototyping that takes a week

Cheers

Klaus

Our products are 4-10 layers and have BGAs, chip-scale parts, and at
least hundreds of parts, sometime over a thousand. We don't prototype,
and couldn't prototype on a milled board anyhow.

We do occasionally make small breadboards to test one part or one
little circuit, where we don't have the data or tools to be confident.
We hack them on copperclad with adapters, or order a few real 4-layer
boards with PTHs and solder mask and silk and gold plating. Most
product designs go from concept to a manufactured, sellable rev A
without any physical breadboarding or protos.

We normally have 2 prototype series, and 2-4 revision series PCBs before full scale production. In the place where we used the milling machine, we could have 10 prototypes before the final solution

I'd argue that in most cases prototyping slows down development and
wastes engineering/tech hours and teaches bad habits. Might make sense
for microstrip filters or patch antennas, maybe, if you don't trust
your tools.

Well, if you are on very tight time schedule, then milling will be a way to speed up the process (no waiting for PCBs)

Cheers

KLaus