precision 0.1" movement

[theChris]

i was wondering if anyone has done anything with making a crude drilling macheine. basically to drill holes for DIP ICs, resistors, ect... but not necessarily odd spacings like gainclone chips.

in any case, for this i would like a precision movement, 0.1", controlled electronically. i wanted possibly to make the thing computer controlled, though i guess i could settle for a manual interface.

[Steve Eddy]

Originally posted by theChris
i was wondering if anyone has done anything with making a crude drilling macheine. basically to drill holes for DIP ICs, resistors, ect... but not necessarily odd spacings like gainclone chips.

in any case, for this i would like a precision movement, 0.1", controlled electronically. i wanted possibly to make the thing computer controlled, though i guess i could settle for a manual interface.

Why not just get a pad of 0.1" grid paper (available at any drafting supply store and perhaps even more generic sources like OfficeMax, Office Depot, Staples, etc.), some 3M Spray Mount and just slap the grid paper onto your laminate and start drilling?

se

[theChris]

well, i wanted a faster method. i figured if i could program the board into memory, then i could just put in the bit, drill, press a button, drill, press a button, drill, ect... and this kinda idea of sensors also instrests me. but i don't know what to do for precise measurements of distance. i am thinking i may just use metal brushes to complete a circut and tell the computer where the drill is over the moving board assembly which will use a slow movement from a simple motor. a refererance hole could be made first in the corners so everything looks neat in the end.

ok, this sounds good, sure i'll need more help later.

[Steve Eddy]

Originally posted by theChris
well, i wanted a faster method.

Faster than what?

Just draw your layout on the grid paper from the start, slap it on the board and start drilling.

i figured if i could program the board into memory, then i could just put in the bit, drill, press a button, drill, press a button, drill, ect...

Programming the board into memory would be an additional step compared to just drawing and drilling. I don't see where you'd be saving any time to speak of. Will you save more time with this programmable system when you factor in the time it will take you to design, build and debug it?

By the way, are you going to be drilling these boards before or after you've etched them? If you're doing it after, then you should already have reference holes to work with and should just be able to start drilling.

and this kinda idea of sensors also instrests me. but i don't know what to do for precise measurements of distance. i am thinking i may just use metal brushes to complete a circut and tell the computer where the drill is over the moving board assembly which will use a slow movement from a simple motor.

If you're going to be using digital control, use stepper motors and make an X,Y table. Once you know the position of the board relative to your 0,0 reference, the rest is easy.

se

[theChris]

well, i was just thinking for common circuts (like regualtor circuts and others) could be automatically drilled out. i was thinking if it's not expensive, why try to eyeball the locations of the holes, why not just program the holes into the computer and let it drill for you.

[JOE DIRT®]

Chris your talking CNC here and to design a numerical controller and software is beyond this forum

[jackinnj]

to do it by hand, you can use a molex 0.100 male header -- the pins are spaced at the exact interval, just tap it with a hammer and voila you have a template of holes spaced at o.100 inches. this is what I used to do for IC holes. I now have gotten practiced enough that I can set a pilot hole with a small carbide bit by hand.

you can also buy a grizzly mini-mill for about $500, for another $500 you can outfit it for CNC including software. there are at least two Home CNC groups on Yahoo.

Once you make the investment you can use the CNC machine to route PCB's.

[stokessd]

I photo-etch my boards at home using datak materials. I use a simple CAD program to do the layout. The pads I etch have a small hole in the middle of them which captures the drill bit so it drills in the center of the hole. Very quick and easy, I do the drilling by hand using carbide drill bits and a dremel moto tool.

No precision motion needed.

Sheldon

[theChris]

hmm. well i'm just an ee student. i kinda like analog. not that music is the only time analog is applicable, but there are definate analog pricipals in audio. so i got started in audio. i also liket he idea of computer controled stuff and for control systems. so this seems to be an ideal and practical project.

[stokessd]

That's a great project, don't let me disuade you. I just wanted you to know if you want dip holes, there's other ways. A CNC router, diller would be really useful for lots of projects. Not cheap though.

For motorized slides, you may want to check with velemex (sp?) they are fairly cheap and work pretty well. They are no newport, but they don't cost what a honda civic costs either.

Sheldon