Cutting PCB's effectively

[Jeremy D. Grotte]

Going to try out the 'big paper cutter' later on, if that doesn't work, I'll
find a machine shop around here with a good sized metal shear and see what
happens. Thanks for the info...
JDG

Use the 'bast' saw you have available to you and then use a belt sander to
smooth the rough edges.

Personally, I've found a shear to be the best, if you can find one wide

enough.

 

[Sean Mathias]

Exactly what I am talking about. My results are reasonable. I looked
for a sheet metal guillotine, but the ones that I found were $350+.
For low volume, this has served me well.

SM

 

[qrk]

I ordered a bunch of PCBs awhile back and had them panelized to save a bunch
of $$$, one set has 49 (7x7) boards per panel, the other has 28 (14x2)
boards per panel, and I've got 20 of each of the panels, standard FR4 1/16"
thick types. Now I see why they charge so much to route them out. I bought
a good dremel and some good cutoff wheels, hand gets really tired after a
few cuts, although the wheels do last for awhile. Then I bought a good
Black&Decker 16" variable speed scroll saw. Tried rough blades, fine
blades, high speed, slow speed, various combinations, etc.etc. Those PCB's
really chew up the blades! One blade is completely flat, couldn't cut warm
butter with it.
When I designed the boards, I gave myself a solid 1/8" between PCB's, and
actually a bit more than that, to cut the boards apart.
So, any good ideas on how to cut them apart efficiently short of sending
them somewhere to get them cut apart? And if no good ideas, any ideas where
I could send them to get them cut up?
JDG

Next time you have boards made, have the PCB house route or score the
boards. I personally like scored boards as there is no edge cleanup
required.

Mark

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Next time you have boards made, have the PCB house route or score the
boards. I personally like scored boards as there is no edge cleanup
required.

Itchy, though.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Kevin McMurtrie]

I ordered a bunch of PCBs awhile back and had them panelized to save a bunch
of $$$, one set has 49 (7x7) boards per panel, the other has 28 (14x2)
boards per panel, and I've got 20 of each of the panels, standard FR4 1/16"
thick types. Now I see why they charge so much to route them out. I bought
a good dremel and some good cutoff wheels, hand gets really tired after a
few cuts, although the wheels do last for awhile. Then I bought a good
Black&Decker 16" variable speed scroll saw. Tried rough blades, fine
blades, high speed, slow speed, various combinations, etc.etc. Those PCB's
really chew up the blades! One blade is completely flat, couldn't cut warm
butter with it.
When I designed the boards, I gave myself a solid 1/8" between PCB's, and
actually a bit more than that, to cut the boards apart.
So, any good ideas on how to cut them apart efficiently short of sending
them somewhere to get them cut apart? And if no good ideas, any ideas where
I could send them to get them cut up?
JDG

Fiberglass is tough to cut. Find somebody with a table saw and install
a thin grinder or saw blade that's rated for cutting ceramics. A
mom'n'pop hardware store might be able to do it too.

 

[Michael]

Are you talking about those 'big' paper cutters? The type with the big arm
on the right side, swings up about 40 some-odd degrees, big sharp blade on
the bottom, relatively heavy duty? I didn't think of that. And really I
wouldn't think that would cut thru it. I'll give it a try. I gave myself
10% of the total as waste, to cover my screwups, guess I may as well make
use of that 10%...
JDG

Yes, a good paper cutter can cut glass board. It should be very
sturdy. You might need help holding the glass down; the cutter tends to
skew it. The last time I used a paper cutter for cutting FR4 was 30
years ago, and the cutter was built like a battle ship. I did not cut
panels, however. In fact, probably no cuts longer than eight or ten
inches.

 

[ddwyer]

I ordered a bunch of PCBs awhile back and had them panelized to save a bunch
of $$$, one set has 49 (7x7) boards per panel, the other has 28 (14x2)
boards per panel, and I've got 20 of each of the panels, standard FR4 1/16"
thick types. Now I see why they charge so much to route them out. I bought
a good dremel and some good cutoff wheels, hand gets really tired after a
few cuts, although the wheels do last for awhile. Then I bought a good
Black&Decker 16" variable speed scroll saw. Tried rough blades, fine
blades, high speed, slow speed, various combinations, etc.etc. Those PCB's
really chew up the blades! One blade is completely flat, couldn't cut warm
butter with it.
When I designed the boards, I gave myself a solid 1/8" between PCB's, and
actually a bit more than that, to cut the boards apart.
So, any good ideas on how to cut them apart efficiently short of sending
them somewhere to get them cut apart? And if no good ideas, any ideas where
I could send them to get them cut up?
JDG

I have no difficulty getting a straight edge and cutting out glass fibre
boards 3 inches square the secret is the correct scissors.
I use Wilkinson Sword with specially hardened blades cost $15 equivilent
in the UK.

 

[ddwyer]

Are you talking about cutting FR4 boards or FR2(? stiff thick paper type)
JDG

1/16 inch resin bonded glass fibre