gEDA-user: Design changs required to mill PCBs?

[Dave N6NZ]

DJ Delorie wrote:

> 
> I'm guessing it's using a variant of HPGL embedded in a PCL data
> stream.  I.e. a mode switch between languages.  The PCL5 spec has
> commands for this.

That would make sense for driving the laser.  It is just an X-Y device. 
  The laser can be turned on and off, of course, and also you can adjust 
power level and traversal speed.  Power * dwell time, adjusted for 
material properties and thickness, determines whether you get cutting or 
engraving.  It also does raster engraving, so maybe the raster features 
of PCL5 are used there, and the vector functions of HPGL are used for 
shape cutting. I'm itchy to set up a protocol sniffer.

Anyway, it could be a nifty way to make 1 and 2 sided "milled" PCB's. 
"Engrave" to remove copper, and let the laser cut all the way through 
the FR4 for vias.  And of course I've mentioned before the possibility 
of doing el-cheapo solder paste stencils, which should be easy. It also 
has possibilities for doing odd-shaped PCB's, or for depanelizing. I've 
yet to see how well cuts FR4, though.

-dave