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pcb-help_pl [2021/01/17 14:36] – benh | pcb-help_pl [2022/07/18 18:04] – benh | ||
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- Overview | - Overview | ||
- Q & A | - Q & A | ||
+ | - What materials have been successfully etched? | ||
+ | - Using a " | ||
+ | - Optimization | ||
+ | - Adjusting the breakout tabs | ||
- Common processing errors | - Common processing errors | ||
- The pre-toolpath file did not import correctly. | - The pre-toolpath file did not import correctly. | ||
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For more information, | For more information, | ||
The brochure: [[https:// | The brochure: [[https:// | ||
- | The Manual: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BxVWaqscUSuwdxnlmrbbO0lq9QGHd9cX/view?usp=sharing| ProtoLaser U4 User Manual.pdf]]\\ | + | The Manual: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/EcM8MWAGR1tPu4dySYs2QRwBT9GmpSEZmcbCuVIBn2UfEA?e=DZws6y| ProtoLaser U4 User Manual.pdf]]\\ |
- | LPKF's " | + | LPKF's " |
- | Software guide: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jqR5wxnQLJAZjezrfv-xtRAbVk5Unb49/view?usp=sharing|CircuitPro 3.0 PL - Software Guide.pdf]]\\ | + | Software guide: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/EY2hkxd8yeNLoB3t0B-_5rcB4rQPIgwmuCHR4CaHTTkFkQ?e=f6cddG|CircuitPro 3.0 PL - Software Guide.pdf]]\\ |
- | Vacuum system manual: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hqnQRs0nk9Gr2x3jGlLfUgmQC5OFKuzb/view?usp=sharing|Dust Extraction Manual CSA 600 iSeries-e-1-0.pdf]] | + | Vacuum system manual: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/Edt3AuJWGCBOkM6wxr56268BpM_O1znw6J4flrg26w2iow?e=AW6e4e|Dust Extraction Manual CSA 600 iSeries-e-1-0.pdf]]\\ |
+ | Optimizing your process: [[https:// | ||
---- | ---- | ||
===Q & A=== | ===Q & A=== | ||
+ | ** What materials have been used successfully? | ||
+ | This is a running list of materials that we, or someone we know of, have successfully etched and/or cut. //(Last updated: 2022-06-22)// | ||
+ | * 0.5oz (18um)/1oz (35um) copper on FR4 | ||
+ | * 5mil/ | ||
+ | * Polyester (PET) (1mil and 2mil) [Kapton settings] | ||
+ | * Rogers TMM 10i | ||
+ | |||
+ | ** Using a " | ||
+ | So you have a material that either isn't in the laser' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ** Optimization **\\ | ||
+ | The ProtoLaser can be a very powerful tool. If you're working carefully with it, and you want to know more details about how the tool works, and how to better optimize your process, please see LPKF's [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Adjusting the breakout tabs** | ||
+ | If you're running a single-sided laser-only process, you can adjust the breakout tabs that connect the board to the substrate, both their position and size. See " | ||
---- | ---- | ||
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* **The bottom/top didn’t etch completely.** | * **The bottom/top didn’t etch completely.** | ||
- | You can either restart the process entirely (hit the Play button, see figure 32) or right click on “Top Side” (or “Bottom side”) under “Processing” on the left, and click “Process from here” to restart the top (or bottom) side processing with top (or bottom) side alignment. | + | You can either restart the process entirely (hit the Play button, see figure 32) or right click on “Top Side” (or “Bottom side”) under “Processing” on the left, and click “Process from here” to restart the top (or bottom) side processing with top (or bottom) side alignment. You can also do this for an individual tool or an individual tool for a single scan field through the "Scan Fields" |
* **The board is/is not flipped in the Processing tab.** | * **The board is/is not flipped in the Processing tab.** | ||
On the left of the screen, make sure nothing is selected under “Processing”. If there is, hold down either CTRL (on Windows) or the command key (on Mac) and then left click to de-select it. If that doesn’t fix it, you can select either “Bottom Side” or “Top Side” (again, on the left) to force the correct orientation. You can try starting the project over again if this doesn’t solve it as well. Sometimes, the software has bugs. | On the left of the screen, make sure nothing is selected under “Processing”. If there is, hold down either CTRL (on Windows) or the command key (on Mac) and then left click to de-select it. If that doesn’t fix it, you can select either “Bottom Side” or “Top Side” (again, on the left) to force the correct orientation. You can try starting the project over again if this doesn’t solve it as well. Sometimes, the software has bugs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **The toolpath generates drilling or cutting operations.** | ||
+ | Usually, this happens because the " | ||
* **The software throws and " | * **The software throws and " | ||
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* //Potential issue:// The vacuum hose(s) may be clogged. | * //Potential issue:// The vacuum hose(s) may be clogged. | ||
* There are two vacuum hoses. One runs from the extraction hood (the round plastic bit inside the main bay) to the rear interior wall of the tool, and the second runs from the outside backside of the tool to the vacuum system (the tall white box to the tool’s right). You should be able to remove both of these and check for clogs. | * There are two vacuum hoses. One runs from the extraction hood (the round plastic bit inside the main bay) to the rear interior wall of the tool, and the second runs from the outside backside of the tool to the vacuum system (the tall white box to the tool’s right). You should be able to remove both of these and check for clogs. | ||
+ | * //Potential issue:// If your substrate is very small, not enough of the bed may be covered for proper vacuum pressure. | ||
+ | * Tape down an old piece of 8”x12” FR4 on the bed. Then, secure your sample inside one of the cutouts. If the FR4 has a lot of holes, try covering some of them with tape. |