Generate Gerber Files for LPKF S62

[MAntunes]

Hello!
I am having trouble in generating gerber files for using with a LPKF S62 Milling Machine.
In Eagle I know you have to use the CAM processor and use a .cam file for your output device.
How can I do this in Altium? Do I simply generate the gerber files?
Thank you in advance.
Miguel

[djsb]

I don't know how you generate Gerber files in Eagle as I don't use it (there are some quite old tutorial available if you do an internet search). However I have EXTENSIVE (3 years and counting) experience with Kicad and 6 months of using Diptrace occasionally. I use both an LPKF S62 and S103 machines. The S62 uses CircuitCAM V5.xx and BoardMaster V5.xx whereas the S103 use the newer Circuitpro software which is more integrated.
You import your standard Gerber (and Excellon drill) files (the same ones that you would send to your board house) into CircuitCAM (in your case) where you can edit the Gerber file (ie remove or add a board outline layer for example) and normalise the drill sizes (so that they match the actual drill sizes you have in your machine). You then save the edited board as a .CAM file (so that you don't have to repeat the editing again) and then EXPORT the gerber file to an intermediate LMD file which will automatically be imported and opened by Boardmaster if it is running at the same time. I won't go into any more depth as you only asked about the gerber file opening bit. Hope my explanation has been helpful.

David.

PS I have done boards created with Altium on both machines as well and it's the same principle as all the other PCB software. Just make sure the numerical formats for the drill and Gerber files match when exporting from and to the LPKF software.

[ajb]

If you're asking how to get gerbers out of Altium, you can do that from the PCBDoc: File->Fabrication Outputs->Gerber Files or NC Drill Files.  You will be able to select numeric format, layers, etc from the following dialogs.

A better way, though, is to setup an OutJob (File->New->Output Job File or "Add New to Project->Output Job File").  In the OutJob you can define gerbers and drill files as outputs with specific settings and map them to an output folder.  That way at any point you can regenerate your CAM files with exactly the same settings with a single click. 

OutJobs are also where you can define all sorts of documentation, mechanical, BOM, and assembly outputs.  It's well worth going though and setting up an OutJob file with all of the typical outputs you want, then you can just add it to each new project and get the same set of outputs every time.

[technotronix]

Then why you do not move to Eagle?

[MAntunes]

I don't know how you generate Gerber files in Eagle as I don't use it (there are some quite old tutorial available if you do an internet search). However I have EXTENSIVE (3 years and counting) experience with Kicad and 6 months of using Diptrace occasionally. I use both an LPKF S62 and S103 machines. The S62 uses CircuitCAM V5.xx and BoardMaster V5.xx whereas the S103 use the newer Circuitpro software which is more integrated.
You import your standard Gerber (and Excellon drill) files (the same ones that you would send to your board house) into CircuitCAM (in your case) where you can edit the Gerber file (ie remove or add a board outline layer for example) and normalise the drill sizes (so that they match the actual drill sizes you have in your machine). You then save the edited board as a .CAM file (so that you don't have to repeat the editing again) and then EXPORT the gerber file to an intermediate LMD file which will automatically be imported and opened by Boardmaster if it is running at the same time. I won't go into any more depth as you only asked about the gerber file opening bit. Hope my explanation has been helpful.

David.

PS I have done boards created with Altium on both machines as well and it's the same principle as all the other PCB software. Just make sure the numerical formats for the drill and Gerber files match when exporting from and to the LPKF software.

Thank you very much for you answer!
If I send you the gerber files can you see if it's all ok?

If you're asking how to get gerbers out of Altium, you can do that from the PCBDoc: File->Fabrication Outputs->Gerber Files or NC Drill Files.  You will be able to select numeric format, layers, etc from the following dialogs.

A better way, though, is to setup an OutJob (File->New->Output Job File or "Add New to Project->Output Job File").  In the OutJob you can define gerbers and drill files as outputs with specific settings and map them to an output folder.  That way at any point you can regenerate your CAM files with exactly the same settings with a single click. 

OutJobs are also where you can define all sorts of documentation, mechanical, BOM, and assembly outputs.  It's well worth going though and setting up an OutJob file with all of the typical outputs you want, then you can just add it to each new project and get the same set of outputs every time.

Thank you! Will do that

Not sure if LPKF software still has this bug, but when I was using one, it has a bug processing 2 adjacent (connected, but not overlapped) areas.
The reason is Altium considers 2 non-overlapping areas not-connected (sometimes it will generate DRC errors for this), and LPKF software generates minimum clearance for non-connected areas.
You need to overlap all fills, otherwise you may end up losing some copper.

Thank you, I'll check this out!

[djsb]

I'm sorry but I can not check your files for you. The best think you can do is open up the Gerber files in a free gerber viewer (I use Kicad's viewer and Gerbv). If you can see the tracks and the drill holes line up with the pads then you are good to go.