mcnugget6750 / pcb-gcode

Modified version of PCB-gCode. An Eagle PCB Layout Tool PlugIn that can create beautiful tool paths directly in eagle.

Please see docs/pcbgcode.pdf.

pcb-gcode

This is a modified and bug-fixed version of the super nice Eagle plugin to generate gcode directly out of Eagle to be used on general purpose PCB mills based on grbl or reprap machines.

New, additional features

• This version allows you to define sliced for PCB outline milling. Originall, the code only ran the path once which resulted in broken bits or bad, slow milling - which then results in worn out bits due to overheating.
• Bug fixed that caused the etch bit (usually a V-shaped engraving bit) to spot drill all the way to drill depth instead of spot drill depth. This widens holes significantly and wears out your engraving bit! That bug is now gone and needs testing. See file pcb-file-utils.h at the bottom for details. I have no idea, yet, why the first whole is different from all the other holes. Makes no difference in the gCode for me.

Usage

• Load the Design rule file that I also provided: 20170624 - Eagle Design Rules NuggetMill5.dru
• Start the program by typing:

run pcb-gcode-setup

• or, if you have configured everything already

run pcb-gcode

pcb-gcode's Issues

Maximizes and minimizes.

Using Autodesk Eagle 9.1.1
When running pcb-gcode the window does not maximize or minimize.
This causes some buttons to become invisible. There is no way to adjust the screen.

Solution to maximize and minimize window

Solution to Maximize and Minimize Window
Open pcb-gcode-setup.ulp file
Remove or coment the lines 512, 513, 514
Save file.

Spindle does not stop on finish

Using CNC2418 with GRBL 0.9 and Candle 1.0.11

After everything is finished spindle keeps spinning. With original pcb-gcode pcb-gcode-3.6.2.4 spindle stooped after everything has finished.

G82 Error for drilling profile

In the mach profile the G82 function is incomplete for the DRILL_FIRST_HOLE command.
DRILL_HOLE includes a DEFAULT_Z_UP(even if I can't see it) in the output file, however the DRILLL_FIRST_HOLE after a tool change does not have any "UP" move and subsequently breaks drills.

Frank
[email protected]

eagle 9.3.2 slices not being produced

I remember I used this code before, and was working flawlessly, now with my eagle 9.3.2 there seems to be a problem, looks like the outline is not being generated anymore, I checked it and it is under the dimensions layer

Improve stencil generation to clean all surface of pads

There's an approach to make PCB soldermask by UV curable glue and clean this glue away by CNC maching with floating bit - e.g. see this video: https://youtu.be/7EctuSTL7-w?t=3m38s

For this we need a toolpath that will mill entire surface of pads. Current stencil function only mills around edges of pads.

Such toolpath generation is currently implemented in http://chilipeppr.com/grbl, but it would be cool if someone could include it into pcb-gcode.

Viewer OSX doesn't open

The viewer doesn't open on OSX.

To fix it enter pcb-code directory on the terminal and run:

chmod a+x viewer/application.macosx/viewer.app/Contents/MacOS/JavaApplicationStub

The file JavaApplicationStub needs to have set executable bits.

It looks like Linux chairs the same feed, I didn't test it, but the file
viewer/application.linux/viewer is also not set executable.