After months of trial and error, I am finally getting decent single-sided PCBs milled with X-Carve. I am currently using 5 apps: EagleCAD, Pixelmator, SuperVectorizer, AutoDesk Graphic and Inventables’ Easel. Here is the workflow I am using from my MacBook:
- EagleCAD to draw up the circuit
- Edit > Net Classes
- Width to 0.04 inches or 40mil
- Drill: 20mil
- Clearance:10mil
- Set board dimension to the size of copper plate, note the dimensions in inches
- Hide dimension and other layers except top traces and pads.
- Export monochrome image as a bitmap (.BMP) @ 600dpi, note dimension in pixels
- Edit > Net Classes
- Pixelmator: Just one step here, invert colors so the traces are black.
- SuperVectorizer to create an SVG. Use these settings:
- Mode: Color
- Gray: OFF
- Stack: OFF
- Colors: 2
- Smooth Radius: 15
- AutoDesk Graphic (formerly iDraw)
- Modify > Artwork Size
- Change to pixels and use the X and Y values from EagleCAD step #4.
- Uncheck “Scale Proportionally”
- Export SVG
- Easel
- Import SVG into Easel
- Set mill depth to .015” and 10in/min feed
- Use mill bit 0.02” @ 15 or 20-degrees
- Select PCB as material and set X-Y dimensions to blank dimensions
- Set copper Z thickness, verify with calipers
- Center on circuit on board
- CARVE!
- Drilling holes with a Dremel
- Make sure speed is fast enough else tips will break
- 0.9mm Tip Spiral Flute Tungsten Carbide Micro PCB Drill Bit for Screw Terminals
- 0.7mm for Male Headers