Kicad with TurboCNC

[b0j3]

I'm trying to get convert PCB made in Kicad to TurboCNC.
Any Kicad and TurboCNC users? What software do you use to link the programs?

[rippersoft]

That is an interesting product! If the GerberView program actually creates ascii NC files or Gerber drill files, then it is those files that TurboCNC will use.

The file will have multiple lines with X, Y, and Z positions described numerically. Here is a sample of what the code could look like:

N1 M3 S4000
N2 G00 X5.125 Y16.0321 Z0.25
N3 G01 Z-0.15 F25
N4 G03 X2.7984 Y19.0623 R9.9343 F100
N5 G02 X4.8563 Y20.2153 R-1.25
N6 G03 X5.3937 Y20.2153 R0.2728
N7 G02 X7.4516 Y19.0623 R-1.25
N8 G03 X5.125 Y16.0321 R9.9343
N9 G01 Z-0.35 F25
N10 G03 X2.7984 Y19.0623 R9.9343 F100
N11 G02 X4.8563 Y20.2153 R-1.25
N12 G03 X5.3937 Y20.2153 R0.2728
N13 G02 X7.4516 Y19.0623 R-1.25
N14 G03 X5.125 Y16.0321 R9.9343
N15 G01 Z-0.55 F25

With TurboCNC, you open the file from the file menu, then you run the file. Additionally, you can get NCPlot and view the files and use the backplot ability of NCPlot to see how your mill would mill the board.

Hope this helps.

RipperSoftware

[b0j3]

OK. I didn't test it yet. But isn't a drill file only for drilling vias?

[b0j3]

I've checked gerberview (from Kicad) and it doesn't produce any nc file.

[rippersoft]

The next step is to see if a DXF is being produced that can be translated into drill files and NC files for routing the trace pathways.

I will download the product and look at it today and tomorrow. Maybe I can see what is being produced.

Can you post your project files in a zip so I can use them for testing?

Thanks,
RipperSoftware

[b0j3]

Hm, the only thing I get is HPGL file. But the problem is that I need a contour of the lines on PCB. And the only thing I get is milling where the line is.

I've attached the board to test (it's only brd file to use with pcbnew - part of the Kicad).

[rippersoft]

Thanks for the files. I have also used the demo of Pic Programmer to see what gets produced.

The PCBNew produces the files. These may not do anything for you though. It will produce a drill file with the extension .drl and this is gcode.

It also will plot and allow you to select plot types from the screen presented. However, it does not produce gcode that will be useable.

It will produce .PHO which is the Gerber option and is really design for photoplotting.

It will produce a .PLT which is the HPGL option and can be converted into another filetype, such as DXF.

HP2DXF can convert - http://www.ideaconsulting.com/hp2dxf.htm

It will produce a .PS which is the Postscript option and can be converted into another filetype, such as DXF.

PStoEdit can convert - http://www.geocities.com/SiliconVall...1958/pstoedit/

Once you have a DXF, then use Ace Converter http://www.dakeng.com/ace.html to convert the file into gcode. You could also use NCPlot or CamBam (free). The added benefit is that these products plot out the actual cut path.

My suggestion - If you don't have alot of time invested in KiCad, then switch to the freeware version of Eagle. It is a bit limited. See if the constraints fit you needs.

There are other PCB design products that may also put out the files you need or give standard files that can be converted. The bottom line is that in order to have TurboCNC cut you boards, it needs a NC file that defines the traces and a NC file that defines where to drill the holes. These should be separate.

Hope this helps.

RipperSoftware

[b0j3]

Wow, that's a lot of information. I'll check the programs and see which path to take to get usable PCB.
I will report the findings (hopefully soon ).
About Eagle: I know it exists, but I hate the limitation of freeware version and the price is quite high for my pocket.
And I also invested quite a lot of time to Kicad (even created few elements in libraries).

I will eventualy write a program (script?) to convert gerber from Kicad to g-code. But for now I'd just like to test that it works.