Milling About

The Amp Hour · 31 May 2017 · 1h 14m · Episode 345

What this episode covers

Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics and Dave Jones of EEVblog discuss the practicalities of PCB milling, with Gammell sharing his experience using an Other Machine Co. mill and the safety risks of milling FR4 fiberglass. They analyze the economic viability of desktop CNC machines versus rapid prototyping services, noting that for most hobbyists, buying overnight PCBs is more cost-effective. The conversation also covers the new Avnet and Kickstarter partnership aimed at supporting hardware startups, which Jones criticizes as potentially misleading 'wank value' rather than a guarantee of success.

Mentioned

Companies
Other Machine Co., MakerBot, LPKF, Avnet, Kickstarter, Dragon Innovation, DigiKey
Products
Tagano, Roland MDX50
Chips
Blue Giga 112
Also
Bree Pettis

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Predictable Designs Podcast · 1h 01m

    PCB Assembly and Design for Manufacturing with Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits

    Duane Benson, Director of Marketing at Screaming Circuits, explains the PCB assembly process, contrasting their prototype/small-volume model with parent company Milwaukee Electronics' high-volume contract manufacturing. He details the workflow from programming and solder paste deposition to reflow, inspection, and rework, while highlighting common Design for Manufacturing (DFM) pitfalls like open vias and incorrect QFN footprints. The discussion covers the infeasibility of home PCB prototyping, the cost-benefits of US-based assembly, and critical tips for ensuring component availability and accurate footprints.

  • Making It · 1h 21m

    460: Everything Is Going To Be OK

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto celebrate the 10th anniversary of their podcast, answering patron questions about hardware and maker life. Bob details his new sawmill setup and the high costs of owning heavy machinery like backhoes, while Jimmy and David recommend specific entry-level CNC and 3D printer brands like ShopBot, Prusa, and Bamboo Lab. The hosts also discuss the changing landscape of YouTube, Patreon's billing model shifts, and the importance of community and friendship in sustaining long-term creative careers.

  • Embedded.fm · 59m

    88: Science Is a Lot Like Quilting

    Danielle Applestone, CEO of Other Machine Company, discusses the development and engineering of the OtherMill, a desktop CNC milling machine originally funded by DARPA and later via Kickstarter. She details the mechanical design choices, such as using HDPE for vibration damping and high-quality motors for longevity, and explains how the machine uses the Synthetos TinyG open-source controller. Applestone also covers the company's supply chain strategy, emphasizing local manufacturing in the San Francisco Bay Area to facilitate rapid iteration and relationship building with contract manufacturers.

  • Being an Engineer · 1h 00m

    Chris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & Manufacturing

    Chris Denney, CTO at Worthington Assembly, discusses the complexities of small-volume PCB assembly, contrasting the 'one to 100 piece' prototype range with the new challenges of scaling to 10,000-piece monthly orders. He explains that while pick-and-place machines are incredibly fast, the real difficulty lies in parts management, moisture sensitivity, and avoiding common design mistakes like using non-manufacturable boards from services like OSH Park. Denney also highlights his partnership with CircuitHub, which uses software to generate instant quotes for low-volume work, allowing Worthington to focus on higher-volume production runs.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 20m

    123: Banished from Running Linux

    Bob Coggeshall, co-author of sudo and founder of Small Batch Assembly, explains how he transitioned from a career in software to running a boutique electronics assembly service for makers. He details the technical challenges of automating low-volume PCB assembly, including building a custom pricing engine in Python and integrating with the Octopart Common Parts Library to streamline customer workflows. Coggeshall also discusses his personal projects, such as driving Nixie tubes with high-voltage circuits and using microcontrollers like the ATmega328 and Atmel SAM D20.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.