Reading the title, I was looking forward to hearing from other people working on open source digital cameras.
But no, this is a CAM = computer aided manufacturing software like KiCAD.
Cam != CAM
But no, this is a CAM = computer aided manufacturing software like KiCAD.
Cam != CAM
This could make a lot of small-scale prototyping projects that much easier - no messing around with Ferric Chloride and acetone, and no waiting for the PCB to be manufactured and sent back.
4 layers boards from China are cheaper than the equivalent 2-sided copper blanks. And, unless you still do everything with through-hole components, you have to plate the holes which takes you several days of futzing with nasty chemicals anyway.
Here's an actually disruptive idea for great hackers: rather than continuing to diddle with making PCBs that's been solved a hundred times over, come up with an open-source pick and place that can actually do 0402 and 0201 components.
It's got all the bits: gantry CNC, actuator with air, optical vision alignment via machine learning, accurate parts handling, and helps build boards. And it's a huge unsolved space.
Every time I've dealt with pick and place machines short of 7 figures, I spend more time dorking with the machine than actually populating boards.
If we'd had this thing, we could have rapidly prototyped this board, discovered the mistake and made appropriate changes within a couple of days, instead of having to take more than a month...
> come up with an open-source pick and place that can actually do 0402 and 0201 components.
Why? What do I care about 0201 components? I use 0805 and I can solder them fine. This problem "really isn't interesting".
There are copper press rivets you can buy at most PCB supply houses. No need for plating, although you do need the die set and press (although a drill press can be used). Furthermore, one can just do it the old fashioned way, with a soldered wire through connection. That's how I've done it for years.
Mods, please consider editing the title to make this more clear (e.g. use "FlatCAM: free and open source PCB manufacturing software" or something). Thanks!
The truth is that many of articles whose titles it tries to bona-fide "sanitize" should be flagged by the users anyway as low-effort content (Like listicles, which get the number in front of the title removed, and so on).
Did somebody compile a list of transformations HN does on titles?