Eagle question: how to use eagle with cam machine?

[nleahcim]

Hi - so I'd like to make a couple PCBs that I have drawn up in Eagle. I have access to a large number of CNC milling machines. I was told that they will mill out anything for me, as long as I can get them "g-code" for the board. Does anybody have any idea how to do this? I looked at the cam processor in eagle, and the help section for the cam processor, but I couldn't find g-code listed as an output format. Can anybody lend me some assistance? Thanks!

 

[guzzler]

I would imagine you'll need them in Gerber format; go to:

File > CAM Processor

File > Open > <EAGLE FOLDER>\cam\gerber.cam

Process Job > Ignore all messages.

Then for the drilling files

File > Open > <EAGLE FOLDER>\cam\excellon.cam

Process Job > Ignore all messages

The files these generate you should give to your friends at the machine shop, and they should be sufficient to process the job

g

 

[nleahcim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzzler I would imagine you'll need them in Gerber format; go to: File > CAM Processor File > Open > <EAGLE FOLDER>\cam\gerber.cam Process Job > Ignore all messages. Then for the drilling files File > Open > <EAGLE FOLDER>\cam\excellon.cam Process Job > Ignore all messages The files these generate you should give to your friends at the machine shop, and they should be sufficient to process the job g

A-ha! So Gerber is G-code? That would be awesome if it were really this easy.

 

[guzzler]

Well, I hope it is. All board houses accept Gerber as their preferred format

g

 

[AndrewFischer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzzler Well, I hope it is. All board houses accept Gerber as their preferred format g

I've never looked but do the standard Gerber files include depth as well as X and Y?

If you are milling out the copper instead of creating a photo mask do you need the depth too? Or is that something that would be manually entered on the milling machine?

Just curious. I do know that many of the small run quick turn boards are milled and not photo etched.