| We can use the CNC machines to cut
sideways with special toolbits called routers. This can be to mill out
large holes, slots, cutouts, or even to profile the individual circuit
boards on a panel, after which the are often left connected by small
lug's. Soon after we received our first Mape CNC drilling machine it was
dutifully named Plip, which then became our non-industry standard word
used to describe those connecting lug's. To this day I don't know what the
correct word is.
The normal and cheapest tool size used for
profiling is 2.4mm but we also stock a lot of other sizes. Smallest size
normally used is 0.6mm, but if possible its a lot cheaper to use a larger
size. The machines or maybe the operators are very clever so far we have
successfully routed out all the weird and wonderful shapes that have been
requested. Its worth noting that routing with the smaller tools does incur
a price surcharge.
If your printed circuit board has an odd profile
or complicated internal slots it can often greatly assist if your create
an extra Gerber layer with the routing detail on it. |
