Hopefully have my GF soon, already have the proofgrade.
I am just wondering though, I have a lot of PCB’s that are 10x10cm and have multiple little circuit designs on them. I usually cut them up by hand but am wondering if the GF will be able to cut through them. They are standard 1.6mm FR-4 (glass-reinforced epoxy laminate).
Though having just looked this up, FR-4 is a composite material composed of woven fiberglass cloth with an epoxy resin binder that is flame resistant (self-extinguishing), I am guessing it may be a ‘NO’.
Epoxy is bad stuff to laser… and copper will reflect the beam
short answer NO…
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Universal Laser Systems says it can be done, though I would still refer to the safety sheet from the manufacturer before cutting.
YMMV, but my read of the ULS page seems to refer to blank boards without any circuit traces. Op mentions:
I wouldn’t risk it on my GF, but that’s just my opinion.
If your circuits are in a repeating pattern, you might be able to make a nice router or saw jig to help cut them quickly and accurately?
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that is the route I would go. a nice sharp router bit. and you could even use one of those mini routers if you don’t already have a router.
There would be no copper where I want to cut, only plain board. I do have a CNC but don’t have a vacuum bed so holding the board in place has been an issue. However, thinking on the fly, perhaps I should CNC out a recess in a piece of MDF that allows the PCB to fit snuggly and use a down cut bit .