Differences
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| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
| pcb-help_pm [2021/01/15 11:10] – benh | pcb-help_pm [2021/01/15 11:34] – benh | ||
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| - Q&A | - Q&A | ||
| - Common processing errors | - Common processing errors | ||
| + | - Software cannot/did not connect to the tool | ||
| + | - My gerber/ | ||
| + | - The tool didn't drill out my holes! | ||
| + | - The tool exchange was botched! | ||
| + | - The drill hits are incorrect, or the routing path was wrong! | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| === Overview === | === Overview === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The LPKF ProtoMat S103 is a 2.5-D CNC mill capable of drilling, milling, and routing to manufacture printed circuit board (PCB) and 2.5D structures on a variety of substrates. The tool is located in the Semi-Clean Room on the 1st floor of the IDC. It is part of the IDC’s PCB fabrication process flow. The tool uses a moving tray and toolhead that allow autonomous movement across the work space with a tool exchange methodology that allows for different mechanical processes to be carried out without user intervention, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Substrates: | ||
| + | * Fiberglass-based or carbon fiber reinforced polymers, including FR4 | ||
| + | * The Hive provides 0.5 oz and 1 oz double-sided copper on 1.55mm FR4. | ||
| + | * PTFE or ceramic-filled base material | ||
| + | * Wood | ||
| + | * Nonferrous materials, such as aluminum or brass | ||
| + | * Plastics such as polyoxymethylen (“Delrin”), | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tool sizes | ||
| + | * Drill bits between 0.15mm and 3mm | ||
| + | * Contour routing, 1mm or 2mm | ||
| + | * Milling bits between 0.8mm and 3mm | ||
| + | * “Universal” cutting bits, 0.1 or 0.2mm | ||
| + | |||
| + | More details regarding tool structure or usage can be found in the following documents: | ||
| + | The Manual: [[https:// | ||
| + | LPKF's " | ||
| + | The ProtoMat software (" | ||
| + | The vacuum system manual: [[https:// | ||
| + | Our standard operating procedures: [[https:// | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
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| === Common processing errors=== | === Common processing errors=== | ||
| - | * **ProtoMat - Software cannot connect to the tool** | + | * **Software cannot/did not connect to the tool** |
| First, make sure the ProtoMat hardware is on; if it's on already, there will be a red light under the toolhead (for the camera), and the status light on the toolhead should be at least blinking green. If it's not on, turn it on by toggling the green switch located underneath the cover, to the right of the working table, above the main power cable. Once you've confirmed the hardware is on, in the software, in the main toolbar (with the File menu), click “Machining” > “Connect”. Make sure that “S103” is selected in the dropdown menu and click “Connect”. Let the connection process happen, and then try the fabrication again. | First, make sure the ProtoMat hardware is on; if it's on already, there will be a red light under the toolhead (for the camera), and the status light on the toolhead should be at least blinking green. If it's not on, turn it on by toggling the green switch located underneath the cover, to the right of the working table, above the main power cable. Once you've confirmed the hardware is on, in the software, in the main toolbar (with the File menu), click “Machining” > “Connect”. Make sure that “S103” is selected in the dropdown menu and click “Connect”. Let the connection process happen, and then try the fabrication again. | ||
| - | * **ProtoMat - My gerber/ | + | * **My gerber/ |
| You probably forgot to assign it a layer. If this happens, the software will put the gerbers onto their own layers that are named with the gerber' | You probably forgot to assign it a layer. If this happens, the software will put the gerbers onto their own layers that are named with the gerber' | ||
| - | * **ProtoMat - The tool didn't drill out my holes!** | + | * **The tool didn't drill out my holes!** |
| You likely forgot to import the drill file. You'll have to restart the project over again. Sorry. | You likely forgot to import the drill file. You'll have to restart the project over again. Sorry. | ||
| - | * **ProtoMat - The tool exchange was botched!** | + | * **The tool exchange was botched!** |
| Stop the process as soon as possible, if it's still running. Go get a PI. If they don't know what to do, ask them to message our Slack channel. | Stop the process as soon as possible, if it's still running. Go get a PI. If they don't know what to do, ask them to message our Slack channel. | ||
| - | * **ProtoMat - The drill hits are incorrect, or the routing path was wrong!** | + | * **The drill hits are incorrect, or the routing path was wrong!** |
| There are a couple of possible reasons for this. | There are a couple of possible reasons for this. | ||
| - You may not have imported the drill file or the board outline gerber correctly. | - You may not have imported the drill file or the board outline gerber correctly. | ||