Multiple PCB on one blank - Howto?

[Drools]

I created my brd files in Eagle and loaded PCB-GCode to create the .tap files.
I looked at the tap file in CamBam (NCPlot 1.2 would not load them) and it looks fine however here is the question:
I designed my board to be 1.5x3 inches which works out to 8 boards on a 6x6 blank. How do I maximize my efficiency and get my 6x6 blank filled?
Thanks for the help!

[Jay C]

It would concern me that NCPlot can not display them. Are you wanting to create 5 more copies in CAMBAM, or are you asking for any methods to get 6 circuits milled?

If the alter, I would mill circuit 1, then change the X and Y zeros (use the MDI controls) 3 inches over mill circuit 2, then move Y zero 1.5" up, you get the idea.

FWIW,
Jay

[Drools]

Actually I should be able to get 8 identical (1.5"x3") circuits on a 6x6 blank. I suppose I could do the cut one, move, cut one method but that means I have to baby-sit the process. It would be nice to have all the boards all layed out and press "Run Code" then I can surf cnczone for info on my next project
I'm not sure why NCPlot 1.2 would not read the tap file correctly, but CamBam did so I can verify it. I thought there was a free version of CamBam that I could use just to open and look at gcode files? I could only find the plus version on their web site.

[Jay C]

Ok, I just tested this and it works. Make sure you use my optimizer before you mill, it'll save a lot of air time

Start with Eagle closed
1. Copy your .brd file to a new file name. I used the same directory, just called it "multi".
2. Open this board but say no if it asks if you want to create a schematic. Ignore the warning about no back annotation.
3. Move your board dimensions out (max is 4x3.75" on lite version).
4. Use the group tool to select just your circuit (including any polygon pours) ... don't select any milling outlines.
5. Click the Copy tool and right mouse click on your circuit and click Copy Group
6. Paste it and repeat 4 more times (if you have > than lite version)

Jay

[Jay C]

Originally Posted by Drools I'm not sure why NCPlot 1.2 would not read the tap file correctly, but CamBam did so I can verify it. I thought there was a free version of CamBam that I could use just to open and look at gcode files? I could only find the plus version on their web site.

CAMBAM

#5 CamBam free Beta Release 0.8.2 10bulls 5087

Also, all that matters is that Mach can read your gcode files. Do they display correct in it?

Jay

[Drools]

Yep Mach3 displays the code fine except for the multitude of red lines
Will the optimizer work on the latest version of PCB-Gcode? PCBG-code does not look to be the best tool if time is a concern LOL.

[Jay C]

Originally Posted by Drools Yep Mach3 displays the code fine except for the multitude of red lines Will the optimizer work on the latest version of PCB-Gcode? PCBG-code does not look to be the best tool if time is a concern LOL.

It will. You will need to change the extension of the etch files to .nc though (I hard coded the extension in the code, feel free to recompile it for your uses. All that red is air time My boards go from over 245 inches to 24 inches most of the time (90% savings).

[Drools]

So I will just do 2 boards in the Eagle editor and do the route, move, route approach.
So I'm doing the group and copy/paste however I noticed I did not start my board on the X0-Y0 coords. Is there a way in Eagle to reset this to a point I pick?
Disreguard the Eagle question I figured it out. I'm just learning Eagle, sorry for the trouble.

I'm trying to itemize all the new terms, software, expressions etc I have needed to learn since I decided to build a router. It is a long list coming from someone who had a hard time drilling 2 holes to line up.

[acondit]

Originally Posted by Drools So I will just do 2 boards in the Eagle editor and do the route, move, route approach. So I'm doing the group and copy/paste however I noticed I did not start my board on the X0-Y0 coords. Is there a way in Eagle to reset this to a point I pick? Disreguard the Eagle question I figured it out. I'm just learning Eagle, sorry for the trouble. I'm trying to itemize all the new terms, software, expressions etc I have needed to learn since I decided to build a router. It is a long list coming from someone who had a hard time drilling 2 holes to line up.

Two holes are always in a line. The question is, is it the line you want?

Alan

[pminmo]

Actually the easiest is to do the design in eagle and the run pcbgcode to create the necessary gcode. Copy and past the gcode for each additional copy of the pcb you want to make and use the G-code fixture offsets to redine zero or home for each of the subsequent copies. G54-G59.3 http://www.linuxcnc.org/handbook/gcode/g-code.html and http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emc...rdinateSystems

You actually don't have to copy and paste if you just want to edite the g-code after each run, or if your using Mach3 selecting the new offsets after each run.

[keebler303]

Originally Posted by pminmo Actually the easiest is to do the design in eagle and the run pcbgcode to create the necessary gcode. Copy and past the gcode for each additional copy of the pcb you want to make and use the G-code fixture offsets to redine zero or home for each of the subsequent copies. G54-G59.3 http://www.linuxcnc.org/handbook/gcode/g-code.html and http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emc...rdinateSystems You actually don't have to copy and paste if you just want to edite the g-code after each run, or if your using Mach3 selecting the new offsets after each run.

I don't think this is the easiest, lets say you have 6 different drill sizes, you gonna change tools (probably by hand) 6 times or 24? Even if its one drill and one routing bit, its still 4 times as many tool changes. Definitely the best way is to just copy the board layout and paste it again to tile it as many times as you want. It also removes a lot of opportunity for fat fingering your coordinates and making scrap.

Matt

[pminmo]

Originally Posted by keebler303 I don't think this is the easiest, lets say you have 6 different drill sizes, you gonna change tools (probably by hand) 6 times or 24? Even if its one drill and one routing bit, its still 4 times as many tool changes. Definitely the best way is to just copy the board layout and paste it again to tile it as many times as you want. It also removes a lot of opportunity for fat fingering your coordinates and making scrap. Matt

The drill file is a different file than the mill file. Drill files are easy to edit and combine. If you don't know G-code at all, then you maybe correct, but if you know a little g-code, its more difficult to panelize in Eagle and it be correct than it is to modify G-code and use offsets.