Our PCB Milling Machine is here!
Enginuity’s electronics prototyping capability is growing!
The addition of a new PCB milling machine to our electronics lab means we can design and build prototypes (or do small production runs) of newly designed PCBs — printed circuit boards — in-house.
PCB milling machines are a great tool to have because they allow you to create printed circuit boards (PCBs) with precision and speed. With a PCB milling machine, you can create custom PCBs for a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, phones, and other electronic systems.
The mill has a vacuum bed and integrated dust extraction system to ensure the lab stays clean and the board remains stable while we’re working on it.
The Enginuity PCB Mill
Enginuity’s PCB mill is fully automated, boasting a high speed spindle (60,000 rpm), high resolution (0.5 μm) and repeatability (± 0.001 mm), and an automatic 15-position tool changer. It also features automatic milling width adjustment, optical fiducial recognition, and a dispenser option. It is the perfect addition to our electronics development engineering environment.
Until now, Enginuity had to conceive the design and layout of an electronic circuit board, send the design to an international supplier to make the PCBs, populate the boards with electronics components, and then test them.
“Adding this piece of equipment means our team can conduct a design review on a Monday with a client and be demonstrating an electronics assembly on the Friday. This speeds up design iteration, reduces costs, and makes the journey of designing the ‘right’ product a little smoother for our clients,” explains Enginuity Business Development Manager Alf Trower.
A process that used to take two to three weeks to turn around now takes a week — sometimes less! The PCB mill ensures the electronics design can be iterated quickly and to Enginuity’s own exacting specifications.
How We’re Solving Problems with our PCB Machine.
A PCB mill can solve a number of problems that may arise during the design and production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Some of the problems that a PCB mill can solve include:
1. Precision: One of the main problems that a PCB mill can solve is the need for precise cuts and patterns on the PCB. Traditional PCB production methods, such as etching, can be imprecise, which can lead to poor electrical connections and other issues. With a PCB mill, you can create precise cuts and patterns, ensuring that the finished PCB is of high quality.
2. Cost: Another problem that a PCB mill can solve is the cost of production. Sending your PCB design to a manufacturer can be expensive, especially if you are only producing a small number of PCBs. By using a PCB mill, you can produce your own PCBs in-house, which can be more cost-effective.
3. Customization: A PCB mill can also help to solve the problem of customization. If you are designing a unique electronic device that requires a unique PCB layout, you may have difficulty finding a manufacturer that can produce the PCB to your specific requirements. With a PCB mill, you can create custom PCBs that are tailored to your specific needs.
