VR Milling 5 PCB utility

plexer · Fri 05 Sep , 2008 11:25 am

Is there any way of using the pcb tool path program to create gcode that can be cut on a micro router compact with vr milling 2?

I know that yenka electronics with the pcb add on can create the gerber files for me but then I need to generate the toolpath gcode.

If not are there any free apps that can, I know there is gcode-pcb as a pluging for eagle but I'd rather not have to install eagle just to use that.

Ben

Steve · Mon 08 Sep , 2008 8:19 am

Gerber import is standard on the VR Milling 5 Software.

We also have a Gerber import into QuickCAM 2D Design.

Unfortunatley both of these are chargable

The import is slick and easy to do.

See the link on VR Milling 5.

https://www.denfordata.com/projectimages ... lling5.pdf

I doubt you will find a free app to do this as we spent some time looking.

plexer · Mon 08 Sep , 2008 8:34 am

What would be the cost of the upgrade to quickcam we are not going to upgrade to vr milling 5 yet as it's about £1000 to upgrade our router to the latest interface I think.

Ben

Mon 08 Sep , 2008 8:56 am

I doubt you will find a free app to do this as we spent some time looking.

I'd agree with that - some of the cheaper / shareware PCB isolation routing software is very poor. Its a specialised area and anyone who has invested in developing good PCB isolation software will not want to give it away.
The last time I saw a machine in RS (or Farnell) it was about £5K for the machine, £600 for the PC operating software PLUS another £600 for the isolation tool path software.

QuickCAM 2D would be the cheapest option from us (at around £150) although I would still weigh up the benefit of upgrading to V5 because you also get the latest USB hardware and it really improves machining times.

plexer · Mon 08 Sep , 2008 9:15 am

We are planning on looking at upgrading the machine next year.

however we have had it for 4 years and never really used it but just had some more training with the DT department and it should get used in the curriculumn this year.

Ben

Mon 08 Sep , 2008 9:16 am

I'd try our sales dept. and see what they can do to help with PCBs in the meantime

plexer · Mon 08 Sep , 2008 14:13 pm

Well as it's only really for me to tinker with at the moment I think I'll have to wait until the department decides to upgrade to vr5.

I suppose I can design them in pcb design as thats simple then import ther gerbers into eagle and use pcbgcode for eagle to convert them to gcode.

Ben

Steve · Mon 08 Sep , 2008 14:16 pm

You could buy QuickCAM with E Learning credits if you get them?

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