Multiple isolation passes

[erpalma]

Hi, I would like to suggest a new feature: calculate multiple passes for wider isolation traces. This is very useful when using a V shaped tool in HV boards where isolation between traces can be quite high and the tool must perform multiple passes. A similar approach is used by flatcam and pcb-gcode.

[chilipeppr]

One thought is to allow inflation to still be the way it is, but then ask for the end mill size and calculate multiple paths. The key is to still let you visualize path overlap. I have found that I'm almost always milling PCB's where the limiting factor is that I barely have enough clearance even for one path, thus the need for multiple paths is reduced. The other thing is, if you do just one isolation path, even if it's thin, you can achieve a good PCB, but you do need a good solder mask then. I'd like the DIY community to perhaps find a better way to do solder masks and then that could be a better approach than milling multiple isolation paths. Just a thought. I do think the need for multiple paths is still there though. In the short term you could just do the 1st inflation, mill, then do a 2nd inflation and mill again. Not ideal, but at least workable today.

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On Wed, Feb 22, 2017 at 1:00 PM, Francesco Palmarini < ***@***.***> wrote: Hi, I would like to suggest a new feature: calculate multiple passes for wider isolation traces. This is very useful when using a V shaped tool in HV boards where isolation between traces can be quite high and the tool must perform multiple passes. A similar approach is used by flatcam and pcb-gcode. — You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#33>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHidbZUhH7k5rf07cii2qybiqXoTiKp_ks5rfKICgaJpZM4MJLn2> .

[ameennihad]

I think we should add an option to generate tool paths of traces based on the clearance specified in the design (Net classes). and even select or suggest tool sizes based on that.
One more thought I have, is to include some sort of tools library in the widget, when a board file is first loaded the widget will look for the best set of tools to used based one clearance in Net classes, diameters of holes ... etc, then the user can select which tools to use for each operation from his/her library.

[chilipeppr]

That would be amazing. I'm not sure any PCB path creator does that.

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On Wed, Feb 22, 2017 at 11:16 PM, ameennihad ***@***.***> wrote: I think we should add an option to generate tool paths of traces based on the clearance specified in the design (Net classes). and even select or suggest tool sizes based on that. One more thought I have, is to include some sort of tools library in the widget, when a board file is first loaded the widget will look for the best set of tools to used based one clearance in Net classes, diameters of holes ... etc, then the user can select which tools to use for each operation from his/her library. — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#33 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHidbXzyxnrH0REWSwfpbtabiAT7NECBks5rfTJrgaJpZM4MJLn2> .

[erpalma]

If I remember correctly pcb-gcode does what ameennihad says. You select a tool dimension and a maximum isolation dimension, then pcb-gcode calculates the number of passes needed based on the clearance specified in the design.

I've milled several PCB with a high voltage (mains) part and that part really need a different clearance wrt a standard logic-level section.

[chilipeppr]

The solder mask tab does calculate multiple paths and it was quite easy to do, so this shouldn't be too hard to add. It's really just a matter of folks having extra time between their day jobs. The trick on multiple paths is just running multiple inflation paths and connecting them together in the final gcode.

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On Feb 23, 2017 12:56 PM, "Francesco Palmarini" ***@***.***> wrote: If I remember correctly pcb-gcode does what ameennihad says. You select a tool dimension and a maximum isolation dimension, then pcb-gcode calculates the number of passes needed based on the clearance specified in the design. I've milled several PCB with a high voltage (mains) part and that part really need a different clearance wrt a standard logic-level section. — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#33 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHidbRjOQbhTzHfVwEPIFxItW4mQxY2tks5rffJ8gaJpZM4MJLn2> .

[erpalma]

I'll give an eye to the code to see what can I do!