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Co.,, Ltd.
Jinan JCUT CNC equipment Co.
Please read the usage manual carefully before usage and keep it for further reference.
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Overall Introduction to JCUT-PCB Engraver
1.2 Special Features
1.3 Technical Parameters
Chapter 2 Engraver Hardware & Software Installation
2.1 Hardware Installation
2.2 Software Installation
Chapter 3 Operating Instructions for JCUT-PCB Engraver
3.1 How to Create a Machining File
3.2 COPPERCAM Software
3.3 Instructions for Hardware
Chapter 4 Operating Procedures for PCB Machining
Chapter 5 Special Explanations and Instructions
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Overall Introduction to JCUT-PCB Engraver
JCUT PCB engraver machines single-sided and double-sided PCBs automatically and accurately,
according to PCB files created by PCB design soft wares(e.g. Protel). Users only need to design a
PCB file and generate the relevant machining file. Transferring the machining file to its control
system via USB, the engraver can complete all the work of manufacturing a fine PCB quickly and
automatically, including engraving, drilling and trimming. It realized automatic PCB manufacture
with low cost and high efficiency. With its simple usage and high reliability, this equipment
provides an ideal facility for university laboratories of electronic, electro-mechanics, computer,
control, instruments and meters, and electronic enterprises, scientific research institutions, and the
army.
Function Introduction
PCB engraver is a high-tech product that integrates electro-mechanics, software, and hardware. It
utilizes and transforms the PCB file information of a PCB design software(e.g. PROTEL) into
international G-code and transport them to the engraver. The engraver will then be controlled
automatically to complete the work of engraving, drilling and trimming. Under the computer’s
control, it physically mills off the unwanted copper from a blank copper clad laminate to produce
the designed PCB. It’s highly accurate, time & material saving, and easy to use.
Main Working Principle
1. About Blank PCB Board
A blank PCB board is an insulated board on which conducting copper is clad. The principle of
making PCBs is to mill off the unwanted copper from the blank PCB board. The procedure is like
traditional engraving, and the difference is that traditional engraving is handmade but this is
automatically operating under computer numeric control.
2. Computer Engraving Route
To machine a PCB, the first step is to define the areas that need to be milled off and the route that
the engraving tool is supposed to move along. In this system, with its high-speed calculating ability
utilized, the computer will get the information from a saved PCB file, and program the route. This
process is called computer engraving route.
3. Instruction Transportation
Control software can get the PCB machining information from PCB files, and transform them into
many independent instructions that the engraver can each understand. All these instructions
constitute the machining route. On receiving the instructions, for example when the separation
button is clicked, control software will transport the machining route instructions to the engraver’s
control panel via communication interface. Then the engraver’s CPU will coordinate the three
stepping motors’ speed and directions to operate according to the instructions. When all the work is
done, the control software will send a instruction to halt the engraver.
4. Movement Coordination and Control
In this equipment, three independent straight leading tracks are perpendicularly arranged. The
block on Y axle carries the operation platform backward and forward. The block on X axle carries
Z axle and the main axle motor on Z axle leftward and rightward. Z axle controls the main axle
motor upward and downward. Under the coordination of the engraver’s control system, the three
axles lead the rotating cutting tool to move three-dimensionally toward the workpiece and machine
the workpiece according to user's demand. For example, stop the Z & Y axle movement and set the
tool bit a little lower than the surface of the workpiece, make X-ward movement, the tool bit will
mill a straight X-ward score as wide as the tool bit. Make Y-ward movement while X axle stopped,
you can get a straight Y-ward score. When the X & Y axles are making movement at the same
speed, you can get a 45 degree oblique line. By controlling the moving speed of X & Y axles, you
can get beelines at different angles. By making different combinations of speed and range you get
different 2D shapes. When the tool bit is higher than the surface of the workpiece and the Z axle
movement is rested, by making X-ward and Y-ward movement the cutting tool will be carried to the
given position. Make downward Z axle movement while X & Y axle movement is rested, the main
axle motor will drive the tool bit to drill the board.
Whole appearance (fig. 1)
After selecting the file format of Gerber, click straight “Next” to choose layers as shown in the
following picture
Select the layers of circuit arrangement (caution: bottom layer, top layer and keep out layer must be
included) and click “next” to the picture below.
Select the illustrated mm unit and 4:4 format (saving the exactitude of 4 digits after the decimal
point), click “finish” to generate light printing file “Gerber output1” (CAUTION: *.GBL is bottom
layer file, *.GTL is top layer file.). According to the same procedure, generate PCB NC Drill file
(*.TXT represents NC Drill file).
With the light printing file and NC Drill file generated, we need to unify their coordinates. Drill’s
default coordinate system is not “center plots on”. Right click Gerber output1 file, select properties
and click “advanced” option like the next illustration and remove the “center plots on” check box.
Then click OK.
Options of Protel differs from versions. For the Protel with sp6, through Gerber output1 file →
properties→advanced, select “reference to relative origin” because it is drill’s default coordinate
system.
Finally, right click the folder containing light printing files and drilling files in the left column (like
fig.9). Select “Export” to transfer the saved folder “CAMManager1.cam” to the position user
designates. So the machining file is done.
Other options all apply default settings of Protel (Gerber output1’s properties):
like Gerber file’s suppress leading zero but drill’s suppress trailing zero, which will exert some
influence on software’s extracting information.
If it is a single-layered PCB, we should make the 2.GTL file and 3.TXT file generate G instruction
file based on whose route the cutting tools engraves. If it’s a double-layered PCB, there will be one
more bottom layered file 1.GBL.
Next is the introduction to it.
3.2 SOFTWARE COPPERCAM
3.2.1INSTALLING SOFTWARE COPPERCAM,
Select flatbottom dagger used for separating in ENGRAVING TOOL, Depth—cutting depth ,
generally 0.1-0.2mm
Select model of the flatbottom dagger used for milling in HATCHING TOOL and choose carving
depth.
Select straight knife used for cutting profiles in CUTTING TOOL and choose cutting depth.
Select cutting tool used for orientation in CENTERING TOOL(generally 0.4-0.8mm straight knife)
In DRILLING TOOLS Use one single tool for different bore diameters with circular boring; Use
for each drill the closest smaller tool, with circular boring; Use for each drill the closest greater tool,
without circular boring.
If we choose the first option, the drilling procedure will turn out that one cutter machines all drills;
if we choose the second and third options, a proper drilling knife must be selected in SELECTED
TOOLS. However, in actual machining process a few more machining drill files are generated,
which will cause much more work load in that one drilling file attaches to one cutting tool of one
model.
Size of circular boring for all drills depends on practice
Drilling depth of common PCB is 1.6mm and more than 1.6mm would be best, other options have
not to be modified. Then click OK.
Now we could separate the current PCB by choosing the separating function in tool menu as shown
in the following figure. Only if finishing board separation can we start milling or local engraving.
Select Apply to all layers and Use simplified calculation (faster) and then click OK.
Engraving route in the PCB board has formed through the process as the next illustration shows:
Select Drills in FILE, choose 2.GBL file and confirm it so that machining route will form
This software automatically applies dimensions of the cutting tools you should use and click Oks
respectively
It shows as below:
If carving a single-layered PCB, you should export the file. However, if machining a double-
layered PCB, you should handle with the positionings of the top layer and drills before generating
the bottom layer route. Operations show as below: Click the positioning and you can
position it. Put your mouse pointer at the lower left corner of the circuit diagram and click.
Input the numbers of X and Y and then confirm as exhibited in the following picture:
Choose 0 in “Reframe around existing circuitry with a margin of” in Dimensions of FILE, make Z
cutting thickness 1.6mm which is also the depth of PCB and click OK as shown in the next picture:
lower left corner is the carving origin. After finishing carving the first side, the PCB should be
reversed and the positioned origin of the PCB’s second layer is the lower right corner location point,
which is the key to the procedure.
You can check simulation effect in the Display menu. If not proper, please reselect cutting tools.
Then export the files of the first layer and the cutting route. Click , as below:
In DATA, choose ISO G-Code for CNC-Mill Process of Format with other options remaining the
same, click OK. Continue to click , confirm to enter into the next interface:
Click in the menu. Because it’s the second layer, it must be reversed. If you want
complete milling or part milling, please select as shown in the following illustration:
Hatch inside(milling area): while board (the whole circuit diagram including the area outside
the circuit), card contour(area of the circuit diagram),
selected zone
Apply to all layers
Link hatches
Then export the cutting route of this PCB layer, save it as *.plt, and finally output the file via the
PCB engraver’s control system.
3.3 Instructions For Hardware
After generating the machining file, we have to adjust the machine to machine the PCB board we
have designed. We have made a complete introduction to the machine installation. Now we
continue to introduce machine usage.