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Recommended side cutters for 1mm route PCB depanelization
Psi:
Can anyone recommend some cutters that are good for PCB depanelization with a 1mm route path?
Bonus points if digikey or mouser stock them.
The critical factor is the cutter tip being small enough to get into the 1mm path far enough to take the mouse byte out in one go.
PCB is 1.6mm thick.
This style looks to have a small tip that might work.
But all the cutters I've ever used with this design have been shit.
https://www.digikey.co.nz/en/products/detail/aven-tools/10521/1992462
I don't mind paying up to $75 for something good.
Gyro:
FR4 is very abrasive stuff. I can't see even expensive steel ones staying sharp for a significant period of time. Carbide tipped might last longer but you'll probably find it difficult to find them thin enough.
Your best bet is probably to get a bulk pack of those cheap ones (of the style you linked, but you can get them a hell of a lot cheaper) and be prepared to change them frequently.
Zeyneb:
A long time ago I purchased a mini table saw for PCB depanelization. They also offer a little diamond blade which is I believe 0.7 mm in thickness. This works well for FR4 material and the diamond blade doesn't dull that fast.
At the time a company called Proxxon offered these. But not any more. However, almost the same type can be bought from the american Micromark company:
https://www.micromark.com/MicroLux-Mini-Tilt-Arbor-Table-Saw-for-Benchtop-Hobby-Use_2
jpanhalt:
If the boards aren't populated, don't they snap apart? If not, a small shear would work. If populated, I would consider a non-reinforced Dremel-type cut-off abrasive wheel.
The fuzzy drawing from Digikey shows total thickness of both blades to be 5mm. That suggests each is 2.5mm thick. Sure the tips can be sharpened to get into a 1mm space, but I agree w/ Gyro they won't last long. Hence, I would consider cheap Plato labeled snips (e.g., https://www.ebay.com/itm/144038837876 ).
wraper:
Even tiniest of side cutters will not pass through 1mm route to the other side. Not to say small pointy end will wear out in no time while cutting FR-4. 2 mm route makes cutting PCB out bearable but still require very thin side cutters. 2.5-3mm should be fine.
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