Rapid PCB Prototyping with KiCad and a CNC Router | Peter Todorov 💻 Blog
Hi. I'm a software engineer and a hacker. I'm interested in anything tech-related and I'm always learning something new.
So, recently, I needed a quick PCB for a snooker scoreboard a friend of mine wanted hacked. The local club started streaming tournaments, and they needed a way to overlay their live scores.
I didn't want to return a hodgepodge of wires, floating resistors and modules. So I made the PCB, containing the additional electronics needed, on my router and while I was at it I wrote this guide. I didn't want to rediscover the whole process again in six months.
Given how cheap boards are from China, spending hours on this is wasteful. I found out that the key to being fast is using a console tool like pcb2gcode. Here's an overview of the steps I came up with to mill a PCB quickly:
Circuit layout is no different than usual. But if you're making a PCB today you'll be using components you already have on hand. If you're going to be ordering parts, you might as well order a PCB too.
