CNC

3018 CNCs are cheap and affordable. They are usable for creating small dev boards, and highly satisfying. It is also an opportunity to learn gcode (which is useful for industrial controls and automation). Though I will warn one thing - machinists are dime a dozen, so it's not a great career path.

Gcode is another machine language, like spice, that is easy to understand and is a text file. A reasonable syntax. maybe basic was like this, but people are too cool, too much jocks to use basic anymore.

Uses of CNC

• Prototype pcbs for
  • small transistor blocks
  • high frequency rf via calculators (simulation software such as qucs or ansoft)
  • chip antennas
• Carving out of soft materials (wood, plastic, soapstone)
• 3D printers
• Bothering the neighbors

Links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20250719110922/http://www.ofitselfso.com/LineGrinder/GerberToGCodeIsolationRoutingSummary.php
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ6_oYZrsjk - A tutorial on milling PCBs. I don't agree with everything in this video, but I did like the use of masking tape (do NOT press down too hard on the bed) and superglue, as well as the reviews of drill bits.