Eagle PCB -> LPKF Milling Machine Micro-How-To for EEE

Eagle PCB -> LPKF Milling Machine Micro-How-To

Instructions for users in EEE, University of Nottingham

EAGLE 4.09rl (Linux) CircuitCAM 3.0 (99) and BoardMaster 3.0 (45)

Steve D. Sharples

This is the short version, explaining giving only brief details. If you want the full procedure step-by-step, please go to the Full EAGLE Export Page.

1. SPECIFIC ISSUES TO EEE

1a. Design rules

once you have "created a board from schematic", click on the "DRU" button
a window will pop up, it will probably say "EAGLE Design Rules"
click on the "Load" button
navigate your way to the following directory: /home/share/eagle/local_dru/
double-click on "steve.dru" (right click to download)
click on "Ok"

1b. Extra layers (for the milling machine)

It is important to follow the following conventions, otherwise your boards may not be exported and manufactured correctly

**Layer conventions used**
Layer	Name	Colour	There by default?	Used for...
41	tRestrict	Diagonal red stripes	Yes	Areas on Top layer that you wish to be completely milled out except for tracks, pads and vias
42	bRestrict	Diagonal blue stripes	Yes	Areas on Bottom layer that you wish to be completely milled out except for tracks, pads and vias
117	tText	Usually white	No	For text on Top layer... will be milled out with 0.2mm cutter
118	bText	Usually white	No	For text on Bottom layer... will be milled out with 0.2mm cutter

1c. Shared files in Eagle: /home/share/eagle/

2. THE EXPORT/IMPORT PROCEDURE OVERVIEW

3. EXPORTING FILES FROM EAGLE

in the "Board" window, type: run drillcfg
a window pops up, asking for units... default is mm, select INCH.
in the "Board" window, click on the "CAM" icon (next to the printer icon)
click File -> Open -> Job...
double-click "EEE_milling.cam" (right click to download)
click "Process Job"

open up a "konsole"/"shell" window
put a floppy disc in the disc drive
change to the directory where your files are stored, eg:
cd ~/eagle/my_current_design/
type: eagle2floppy
once told to do so, remove the disc from the drive

4. IMPORTING THE FILES INTO CIRCUITCAM

4a. The Gerber Files (Top, Bottom and BoardOutline etc)

Import (eg) "design.bottom"
in the "Aperture/Tool list" box, type "bottom" (or something)
Select "Bottom Layer"
etc...

4b. The Excellon Drill Data

Import "design.drl"
select "Eagle_Excellon.txt" from the "Aperture/Tool Template" list
in the "Aperture/Tool list" box, type "drills" (or something)... "Ok"
Import "design.drd"
in the "Aperture/Tool list" box, SELECT "drills" FROM THE LIST
Select "DrillPlated" (or DrillUnplated for single-sided boards) layer... click "Ok"

5. INSULATING THE COPPER

click Edit -> Insulate... select "Bottom layer"... click "Run"
click Edit -> Insulate... select "Top layer"... click "Run"

6. BOARD CUT-OUT

click Edit -> Contour Routing...
select the whole of the BoardOutline layer, and ERASE this layer
click near the grey CuttingOutside rectangle to select it
use the "+" and "-" keys on the keypad to move the "*" around the rectangle
press "Ctrl-g" to make a gap in the middle of one side. Do same on other side

7. SAVING AND EXPORTING

save as "design.cam" ... MAXIMUM 8 LETTERS (BoardMaster is very old)
click File -> Export -> LPKF CircuitBoardPlotter... saves "design.LMD"

8. IMPORTING BOARD INTO BOARDMASTER

File -> Import -> LMD/LPR...
select your file "design.LMD"
check everything's there and ok (view both sides, select "Real Tools" etc)

Feel free to modify, redistribute etc under the terms of the GNU Public License

Hope it's useful!