HTMAA 2024 - Week 6

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Week 6: Milling a PCB on the Carvera

This week, I delved into the world of PCB fabrication using the Carvera milling machine. My goal was to design, mill, and assemble a functional LED circuit. The process involved designing the circuit in KiCAD, exporting Gerber files, and meticulously milling the board on the Carvera. Below, I’ve documented each step of the journey.

LED Circuit Design in KiCAD
LED Circuit Design in KiCAD
Exporting Gerber Files
Exporting Gerber Files
Using the Carvera Software
Using the Carvera Software
Carvera Milling Machine in Action
Carvera Milling Machine in Action
Milled PCB
Milled PCB
Soldered Circuit
Soldered Circuit

After completing my first attempt, I was eager to refine the design and create a more polished version of the PCB. This time, I focused on improving the precision and aesthetics of the board.

Traces of Second PCB
Traces of Second PCB
Outline and Holes of Second PCB
Outline and Holes of Second PCB
Traces of Final PCB
Traces of Final PCB
Outline and Holes of Final PCB
Outline and Holes of Final PCB

The MODS interface proved to be intuitive and efficient, generating tabs and G-code for the milling machine seamlessly. This streamlined the process and ensured accurate results.

Fixing Copper-Clad Board
Fixing Copper-Clad Board
Milled PCB
Milled PCB
Soldered Circuit
Soldered Circuit
Both PCBs Soldered
Both PCBs Soldered

The final result was a clean, functional PCB with no issues encountered during the soldering process. The experience taught me the importance of precision and attention to detail in PCB fabrication.

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