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v1.1

Minor Versionm

by Cosimos Sivan Cendo

  1. Circuit Pro is the CAM software used to control the S64
    • Circuit Pro is the CAM software used to control the S64

    • It is used to set up files for milling and send CNC commands to the S64

  2. On startup, the first screen will have 2 tabs: Projects and Templates Projects are used to resume work on a project
    • On startup, the first screen will have 2 tabs: Projects and Templates

    • Projects are used to resume work on a project

    • Templates are used to start from scratch. They're essentially blank projects

    • For the purpose of this guide, we will be starting from a template and saving it as a project so we can save progress as we work on it

  3. The different templates detail the type of board and steps needed to make the board
    • The different templates detail the type of board and steps needed to make the board

    • Theres a long list of templates, each with different settings

    • Layers - the number of layers of the board. Most will be 2, but we can do up to 8 with the multipress

    • THP/No THP - Stand for Through Hole Plating. All vias require THP. If there are no vias, then no THP is required

    • Galvanic/ProConduct or EasyContac - the THP process. We have Galvanic, so make sure to select that

    • ProConduct and EasyContac are LPKF's other plating methods. Becase we have the Contac S4, we use galvanic

    • Click on a template to begin a project

    • You'll probably want to use DoubleSided_GalvanicTHP.cbf most of the time

  4. The main type of PCB files are .gbr (gerber) and .drl (drill) files Each layer will have its own file Click the import button to import your gerber and drill files
    • The main type of PCB files are .gbr (gerber) and .drl (drill) files

    • Each layer will have its own file

    • Click the import button to import your gerber and drill files

    • Disregard .gbrjob files when importing

    • Make sure your files are assigned to the correct layers. CircuitPro will detect most by default but some must be assigned manually

  5. You can add rubout to the top or bottom layers if you wish Draw a rectangle and all unused copper in that area will be removed
    • You can add rubout to the top or bottom layers if you wish

    • Draw a rectangle and all unused copper in that area will be removed

  6. Drag a box to select your entire board and click the duplicate button along the top row to create more copies The dialogue box will ask you how many copies you want and how much space should be between each copy By default, the edges of the copied boards will touch each other and this will cause problems when the board outline is being cut out. Add about 3mm to the x and y directions to give some space.
    • Drag a box to select your entire board and click the duplicate button along the top row to create more copies

    • The dialogue box will ask you how many copies you want and how much space should be between each copy

    • By default, the edges of the copied boards will touch each other and this will cause problems when the board outline is being cut out. Add about 3mm to the x and y directions to give some space.

    • Keep in mind that a sheet of FR4 is 9"x12" (228x305mm) so make sure your copied boards can fit

  7. Now that the board is copied we must add fiducials for the vision system to stay aligned Click to make four fiducials in the corners of your design (these do not need to be precise)
    • Now that the board is copied we must add fiducials for the vision system to stay aligned

    • Click to make four fiducials in the corners of your design (these do not need to be precise)

    • Click Close when you're finished and NOT Apply; clicking Apply will create another fiducial at the xy-coordinates in the text box (probably 0,0)

  8. The ProtoMat may have connected automatically if you had it on when you started CircuitPro If not, then turn the machine on and navigate to Machining->Connect Select S64 from the drop-down menu and click Connect
    • The ProtoMat may have connected automatically if you had it on when you started CircuitPro

    • If not, then turn the machine on and navigate to Machining->Connect

    • Select S64 from the drop-down menu and click Connect

  9. Now we're going to generate the toolpath. This step is comparable to slicing for 3D printers - we are generating the code that the S64 will follow to route out the PCB Click the Generate isolation and contour routing toolpath button Uncheck Micro Cutter 0,1 mm from the list of available tools
    • Now we're going to generate the toolpath. This step is comparable to slicing for 3D printers - we are generating the code that the S64 will follow to route out the PCB

    • Click the Generate isolation and contour routing toolpath button

    • Uncheck Micro Cutter 0,1 mm from the list of available tools

    • You can change the Isolation Method if you want more space around your traces

    • Choose whichever Contour Routing Method you want on the Contour routing tab

  10. Under Marking tool on the Drills tab, choose MarkingDrills for Assign to Phase Click Start to begin generating the toolpath
    • Under Marking tool on the Drills tab, choose MarkingDrills for Assign to Phase

    • Click Start to begin generating the toolpath

    • Check that you don't have any warnings or errors before proceeding

    • You can disregard the pocket conversion warning; it always appears

  11. Check that all the required tools are in the machine Tools are listed on the left
    • Check that all the required tools are in the machine

    • Tools are listed on the left

    • Tool life is listed on the right

    • Use this window to put needed tools into the machine and replace spent ones

  12. You can see where your board will be routed on the FR4 under Machining view
    • You can see where your board will be routed on the FR4 under Machining view

    • Click the middle button above <Process All> to begin routing

    • CircuitPro will guide you through the whole process

Cosimos Sivan Cendo

Member since: 09/14/2020

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