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pcb-help_pm [2021/01/15 11:34] benhpcb-help_pm [2022/09/02 14:39] (current) benh
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 ==== Knowledge Base: PROTOMAT ==== ==== Knowledge Base: PROTOMAT ====
 +{{ :img_20190524_160533980.jpg?direct&400|}}
 === Table of Contents === === Table of Contents ===
   - Overview   - Overview
   - Q&A   - Q&A
 +    - How do I use the 0.15mm drill bit?
 +    - Additional small bit information
   - Common processing errors   - Common processing errors
     - Software cannot/did not connect to the tool     - Software cannot/did not connect to the tool
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     - The tool exchange was botched!     - The tool exchange was botched!
     - The drill hits are incorrect, or the routing path was wrong!     - The drill hits are incorrect, or the routing path was wrong!
 +    - I can't change the layer/template option in the Import step!
  
 ---- ----
 === Overview === === Overview ===
  
-The LPKF ProtoMat S103 is a 2.5-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, and a highly-accurate alignment algorithm that enables multi-machine fabrication processes.+The LPKF ProtoMat S103 is a 2.5-dimension CNC mill capable of drilling, milling, and routing to manufacture printed circuit board (PCB) and 2.5-dimension 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, and a highly-accurate alignment algorithm that enables multi-machine fabrication processes.
  
 Substrates:  Substrates: 
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 More details regarding tool structure or usage can be found in the following documents:\\ More details regarding tool structure or usage can be found in the following documents:\\
-The Manual: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHTWPpFcI8OicYnVNza13r1TbDNCMBK2/view?usp=sharing|ProtoMat S-series Manual.pdf]]\\+The Manual: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/Ef6YsYn1TMNHvpymUi-n3o4BjvqwKyH6vNf5HifMEC6PlQ?e=lzOcTx|ProtoMat S-series Manual.pdf]]\\
 LPKF's "How-To" guides for some ProtoMat processes, including DXF import, stencils, and pocket milling: [[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sDdGPV5wCbAJpt-om1cWms5I-A254zXz?usp=sharing|How to do things with the S103 (GDrive folder)]]\\ LPKF's "How-To" guides for some ProtoMat processes, including DXF import, stencils, and pocket milling: [[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sDdGPV5wCbAJpt-om1cWms5I-A254zXz?usp=sharing|How to do things with the S103 (GDrive folder)]]\\
-The ProtoMat software ("CircuitPro") compendium: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nOtPeL0eZhjY6EVDpOwWeyTob77p5yB9/view?usp=sharing|CircuitPro 2.3 Compendium.pdf]]\\ +The ProtoMat software ("CircuitPro") compendium: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/EZjEA0bbaDdCp_ZM0ljdlCoBlOvqnBDKxwSKeBe00HP8EA?e=YnPV6h|CircuitPro 2.3 Compendium.pdf]]\\ 
-The vacuum system manual: [[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b3VXgSC6Re8jisaGsmYYN9C9-cjXtuX4/view?usp=sharing|Dust Extraction Manual Jet Stream iSeries-e-1-0.pdf]]\\ +The vacuum system manual: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HiveMakerspace/ES_hmgB2275AkqsURJ-GiuMBEAEzU1wi5tpGmPj9EVE6-w?e=C5RqnA|Dust Extraction Manual Jet Stream iSeries-e-1-0.pdf]]\\ 
-Our standard operating procedures: [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vTFJz3PAe3dHfptabhOmO4DTw_QN-n1ZShOumhzGG2k/edit?usp=sharing|ProtoMat S103 SOP]]+Our standard operating procedures: [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/EcQvNGoNNa5AjiZ5wU1Vd8wBMPNk8mawFspeLrvNaG8VlQ?e=etuWny|ProtoMat S103 SOP]]
  
 ---- ----
 === Q & A === === Q & A ===
 +    * How do I use the 0.15mm drill bit?
 +The LPKF sofware handles drill hits down to 0.2mm (7.5 mil) without any adjustments, but we have the capability to make 0.15mm (5.6 mil) drill hits as well with slightly more effort.  See our [[pcb-help_pm_0.15mm-drills|0.15mm Drill Hits]] page for details on that.
 +
 +    * Additional small bit information
 +The tool is most reliable with drill hits down to 0.4mm (15 mil), which is a pretty standard via size. For smaller bits, you're going to want to be very careful. The bits are quite fragile at this size and prone to breaking when either you or a PI or even the tool is handling them. "The tool?" you think. "Isn't the tool supposed to not break its own bits?" Yes, you would think, but at that scale, it still happens. It happens most frequently when the tool is adjusting the bit's height in the toolhead (right after it's picked the bit up), or during a drill hit. Therefore, it's really important to actually watch the bit exchange and then all of the drill hits to be able to emergency stop the tool (lift the cover) if it does break. Otherwise, the tool will not drill your holes out all the way. You can always replace the bit and re-drill if this happens, but it's still a pain. Either way, //strongly consider if you need holes that small!// Anything to make this process more reliable will save you lots of headaches and heartaches. 
  
 ---- ----
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     - The tool may have done something silly.     - The tool may have done something silly.
 In any of these cases, there is no good solution other than to restart the project and double check all of these (if possible) before starting to re-process. Sorry. In any of these cases, there is no good solution other than to restart the project and double check all of these (if possible) before starting to re-process. Sorry.
 +
 +  * **I can't change the layer/template option in the Import step!**
 +Sometimes, for reasons unclear, a Gerber file gets automatically assigned to a undesired layer in the LPKF software on the ProtoMat, and cannot be changed. If this happens, what you need to do is highlight all the polygons on that layer in question that were imported, and move them to the correct layer (right click > Move to Layer). Highlighting a whole layer requires playing with the Layers pane on the left, and then click-and-drag across all the polygons. If there are things on that layer that are //supposed// to be there (e.g. you need to move only some of the polygons off the TopLayer layer), it can be worth just starting the process again, and importing the messed up Gerber first.
 +
 +Details of this process can be found in [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/HiveMakerspace/ERXPg3zNYL1Fn06aSnZUpy8BwKb8Zc7c-AamOw3U4H3wyA?e=k2br2n|this short video]].
  
  
  • pcb-help_pm.1610728498.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2021/01/15 11:34
  • by benh