diff --git a/Readme.md b/Readme.md index 5b845be..1715853 100644 --- a/Readme.md +++ b/Readme.md @@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ The process involves exporting 2D layer images from your PCB design, converting ### Installation -Ensure you have both installed: +Ensure you have installed all: ```bash sudo apt update sudo apt install inkscape blender kicad @@ -281,6 +281,8 @@ Since the minimum exposure time per layer is 0.1s and maximum 200s, calculate th ### 6. CNC drilling and milling +To drill holes and mill board outlines, `gcode` files need to be generated. Load them to `gSender` and drill and mill the board on a CNC router. + 1. To generate `gcode` files from `gerber` format, look in the [examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber](./examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber/Readme.md) 2. To generate `gcode` files from `KiCad` format, look in the [examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad](./examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad/Readme.md) diff --git a/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad/Readme.md b/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad/Readme.md index c0ee7f2..d54447a 100644 --- a/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad/Readme.md +++ b/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_KiCad/Readme.md @@ -1,17 +1,19 @@ ## Exporting gcode files from KiCad -Adapt milling and drilling parameters in `millproject`: +Adapt milling and drilling parameters in `millproject`. Look up [pcb2gcode/wiki](https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode/wiki) for help. ```bash nano millproject ``` -Run the export by providing the .kicad_pcb file as a first argument: +Run the export by providing the `.kicad_pcb` file as a first argument: ```bash chmod +x export.sh ./export.sh Step_Down_Carrier_Board.kicad_pcb ``` -The script will generate gerber files in the `output` directory and then convert them into `ngc` format in the `gcode` directory. - -Load the `ngc` file to `gSender` program for the fabrication. +The script will first generate gerber files in the `output` directory and then convert them into `ngc` format in the `gcode` directory. +Launch the `gSender` program. +* Load the `drill.ngc` file for drilling holes. +* Load the `outline.ngc` file for milling the board outlines. +* Load the `back.ngc` file if you want to mill the isolation traces. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber/Readme.md b/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber/Readme.md index 92c6579..6206da0 100644 --- a/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber/Readme.md +++ b/examples/CNC_mill_drill_from_gerber/Readme.md @@ -1,20 +1,15 @@ ## Exporting gcode files from gerber -Adapt milling and drilling parameters in `millproject`: -```bash -nano millproject -``` - First, generate gerber files. These are the same used to order from a vendor. There are no specific settings, just: KiCad PCB Editor → File → Fabrication Outputs → Gerbers * Set "Output directory" to "gerbers/" -* Select only B.Cu (bottom copper) +* Select B.Cu (bottom copper) and Edge_Cuts (board outlines) * Click Plot * Then Generate Drill Files → Generate -Adapt milling and drilling parameters in `millproject`: +Adapt milling and drilling parameters in `millproject`. Look up [pcb2gcode/wiki](https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode/wiki) for help. ```bash nano millproject ``` @@ -25,6 +20,9 @@ Then run: docker run --rm -i -t -v ".:/data" ptodorov/pcb2gcode ``` -The `.ngc` files for milling and drilling will be generated in the `gcode` directory (must exist). +The `ngc` files for milling and drilling will be generated in the `gcode` directory (create it if it does not exist first). -Load the `ngc` file to `gSender` program for the fabrication. +Launch the `gSender` program. +* Load the `drill.ngc` file for drilling holes. +* Load the `outline.ngc` file for milling the board outlines. +* Load the `back.ngc` file if you want to mill the isolation traces.