pcb-help_fab

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pcb-help_fab [2021/01/15 12:45] benhpcb-help_fab [2022/03/02 22:55] (current) benh
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   - Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment?   - Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment?
   - Can I add soldermask or silkscreen?   - Can I add soldermask or silkscreen?
 +  - How do you handle slots? Can you do plated slots?
   - Do the tools have additional capabilities?   - Do the tools have additional capabilities?
   - Do the tools have additional capabilities?   - Do the tools have additional capabilities?
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 **Is there a recommended DRC/CAM file I can use?**\\ **Is there a recommended DRC/CAM file I can use?**\\
 Yes!  Yes! 
-  - [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YITdTXkcW3ROWZprw-xxPsB8okc73yqF|DRC]] +  - [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/HiveMakerspace/EcsX-TmZDjdAqs04vOmeMnsBMNtkBI42AUU6yQv-2csZ9Q?e=0PVVEq|DRC]] 
-  - [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WzzpPwXMDUg5DD4iUzenZINrzRG0kSn4|CAM]]+  - [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:u:/s/HiveMakerspace/EU8Xunbz4zRFlrfxYhL9IMEBa9wgOJDb8z4tkcOyN8Sf4A?e=LZ2J7h|CAM]]
  
 **Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process?**\\ **Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process?**\\
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 For those who would like to attempt this, instructions are available on our [[pcb-mask-silkscreen-SOP| mask and silkscreen]] page, as well as in the "Manuals/Instructions" drawer next to the tools themselves.  For those who would like to attempt this, instructions are available on our [[pcb-mask-silkscreen-SOP| mask and silkscreen]] page, as well as in the "Manuals/Instructions" drawer next to the tools themselves. 
 +
 +We ALSO have an alternative process to use Kapton tape to make a soldermask-like covering on your board. Definite a YMMV-situation, but [[process_kaptonmask|the instructions are here]]. 
 +
 +** How do you handle slots? Can you do plated slots? **\\
 +Unplated slots are indeed do-able in this process. There are probably a couple of methods for doing this, but the way we've had success is to add the slots onto the "BoardOutline" layer in the software. How this happens depends on your EDA (CAD) software, but in essence, you either need to have your slot in a new gerber (which you can assign to "BoardOutline" in the Import step) or you need to put your slots onto the layer in your EDA that spits out your Board Outline gerber file (in Eagle, this layer is called "Dimensions"). If you need help with this, let us know.
 +
 +Alternatively, you can use the overlapping-drill-hits method, where you just define a number of overlapping drill holes in your CAD. Some CAD programs don't like this, however. 
 +
 +Unfortunately, we haven't found a good way to do plated slots because in the above method, the slot is made //after// the etching is done (and therefore after the plating would be done). An alternative in this case would be to design your slot as overlapping drill hits which are done prior to plating.
  
 ** Do the tools have additional capabilities? **\\  ** Do the tools have additional capabilities? **\\ 
-Many! See the Knowledge Base page for these, as they're often listed in various bits of documentation that would be out of place on this page. We encourage our users to explore the capabilities of the tools beyond our guides, and beyond even what we list in our documentation. However, while such capabilities are technically allowed in the spec of the tool, we do not officially support anything beyond standard PCB fabrication, meaning that our PIs and MPIs do not have experience with them, so you will be on your own if you attempt any of them!+Many! See the [[pch-help|Knowledge Base]] page for these, as they're often listed in various bits of documentation that would be out of place on this page. We encourage our users to explore the capabilities of the tools beyond our guides, and beyond even what we list in our documentation. However, while such capabilities are technically allowed in the spec of the tool, we do not officially support anything beyond standard PCB fabrication, meaning that our PIs and MPIs do not have experience with them, so you will be on your own if you attempt any of them!
  
 ** Process capabilities and specifications **\\ ** Process capabilities and specifications **\\
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   * LPKF ProtoLaser U4 ([[https://www.lpkf.com/fileadmin/mediafiles/user_upload/products/pdf/DQ/brochure_lpkf_protolaser_u4_en.pdf|datasheet]]) - etching, cutting   * LPKF ProtoLaser U4 ([[https://www.lpkf.com/fileadmin/mediafiles/user_upload/products/pdf/DQ/brochure_lpkf_protolaser_u4_en.pdf|datasheet]]) - etching, cutting
   * LPKF Contac S4 ([[https://www.lpkf.com/fileadmin/mediafiles/user_upload/products/pdf/DQ/flyer_lpkf_contac_s4_en.pdf|datasheet]]) - electroplating   * LPKF Contac S4 ([[https://www.lpkf.com/fileadmin/mediafiles/user_upload/products/pdf/DQ/flyer_lpkf_contac_s4_en.pdf|datasheet]]) - electroplating
-  * LPKF ProMask ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/promask.pdf|datasheet]]) - Soldermask+  * LPKF ProMask ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/promask.pdf|datasheet]]) - Soldermask ([[process_kaptonmask|Kapton-tape alternative]])
   * LPKF ProLegend ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/prolegend.pdf|datasheet]]) - Silkscreen   * LPKF ProLegend ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/prolegend.pdf|datasheet]]) - Silkscreen
-  * LPKF ProtoPrint S ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/zelprint.pdf|datasheet]]) - Solderpaste stencil holder +  * LPKF ProtoPrint S ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/zelprint.pdf|datasheet]]) - Solderpaste stencil holder ([[process_stencils|How-to]]) 
-  * LPKF ProtoFlow ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/protoflow.pdf|datasheet]]) - Reflow oven+  * LPKF ProtoFlow ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/protoflow.pdf|datasheet]]) - Reflow oven ([[process_reflowOven|How-to]])
   * LPKF ProConduct ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/ProConduct_Specs.pdf|datasheet]] - Chemical-free "plating" for RF applications\\   * LPKF ProConduct ([[https://www.lpkfusa.com/datasheets/prototyping/ProConduct_Specs.pdf|datasheet]] - Chemical-free "plating" for RF applications\\
  
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  • Last modified: 2021/01/15 12:45
  • by benh