LPKF Mill

2024-12-20 to 2025-01-02: Reduced Holiday Operations

Dear Birck Research Community,

The Purdue winter recess begins effective Friday afternoon December 20th and concludes Thursday morning, January 2. The university is officially closed during this time. As we have done in past years, the Birck Nanotechnology Center will remain available for research but will be unstaffed and hazardous gasses will be unavailable. Lab work may otherwise proceed, though any fume hood work must be done with someone else present in the same laboratory or cleanroom bay (the "buddy" system). Click the link above to get more detail about equipment conditions and rules.


Refer to the Material and Process Compatibility page for information on materials compatible with this tool.
Equipment Status: Set as UP, PROBLEM, or DOWN, and report the issue date (MM/DD) and a brief description. Italicized fields will be filled in by BNC Staff in response to issues. See Problem Reporting Guide for more info.

StatusUP
Issue Date and Description


Estimated Fix Date and Comment

Responding Staff

iLab Name: LPKF Mill
iLab Kiosk: BRK Packaging and Assembly Core
FIC:
 Dimitrios Peroulis 
Owner: Mihailo Bradash

Location:
BRK 2254 - Galley
Maximum Wafer Size: 

Overview

General Description

Maximum material Size: 200 X 260 X 10mm
Maximum PCB Platable Size: 200 X 260 mm (for reference if through hole plating will be required)

Please Read this Before Requesting Training on this Tool


Notice 1:This tool produces bare copper boards and limited 3D milling. The image to the right is an example board produced by an
LPKF mill. This board still needs to be removed from the larger stock material. 

Notice 2: Birck does not provide cutting tools to operate this tool. Before you can be trained on this tool, you will need
purchase the relevant tools for your production. For new users it is recommended to purchase the Starter Package.

Page 7 - Part Number 129103-1 - Starter Package - $450 (2020 pricing)

See catalog link to the right for details and pricing options.

www.lpkfusa.com

Notice 3: Due to Prior issues with the LPKF mill, and extensive updates to the tool. Birck has decided to move this tool to a "selective approval" use case.
This means each professor/group should select one student to be the user for the entire group and all fabrications at the tool should be completed by that user or a BNC Engineer.

The goal is to have that user on the tool frequently so they become, and maintain, proficiency at a level that will reduce potential damage to the tool due to operator errors.


Ok, so I read that, and I don't think it's a good fit.  Now what..?

A simple google search for prototype PCB fabrication will turn up many options for online short run PCB services.
Review their capabilities carefully as they do vary from service to service. Some offer same day turn around!


Ok, so you still want to use the LPKF. Please continue below for more information!


Specifications

DescriptionValue
Workplace noise level~71 dB (A), without soundproof hood and dust extraction
Range of spindle speedsUp to 10,000 rpm (variable)
X and Y feed rate150 mm/s
Drilling rate150 strokes per minute
Tool ChangeManual
Tool shank3.175 mm diameter (0.125 in)
Cutting depth adjustmentAutomatic
Working area305 x 229 x 23 mm
Resolution(X/Y)+/- 0.25 um (0.01 mil)
Repeatability+/- 5 um (0.2 mil)
Minimum drill diameter0.2 mm

Technology Overview 

 The modified LPKF milling machine now makes use of a "Duet 3" 3D printer control board and it's respective interface. This along with a revamped z-drive and spindle motor allow for the use of true 3D milling operations as compared to the prior 2D. 


Sample Requirements and Preparation

Items that require milling should be prepared as either a Gerber, or IPT/SLDPRT (3D CAD) file type.

Depending on your file type preparation for milling will be different, please see the appropriate sub sections within the "Standard Operating Procedure" section. 


Standard Operating Procedure

System start up

  1. Enable the tool in iLabs and make sure tool has started up and power is switched on. 
  2. Turn on and log-in to the machines PC.
  3. Check that the switch on the dust extraction unit is set to the manual position.
  4. From the desktop screen select and open the "LPKF" hyperlink.
  5. From here you should be within the "Duet Web Controller"  on the main "Dashboard" page, and ready to initialize the machine. 
  6. To initialize the machine navigate to the "Home All" button and select, note make sure there is nothing preventing movement of the axis on the machine as this can result in a crash.
  7. Once machine has been homed navigate to the "Upload and Start" button at the top of the screen, and select. 
  8. Upload your file as detailed by the file types below. If you have any issues with this step and or any following, please stop the machine and contact The responsible engineer for this tool.

Gerber files

 Click here to expand...

Gerber files will use a program called "Flat CAM" to prepare machining paths. 

3D CAD files

 Click here to expand...

3D CAD files either from Solidworks or Inventor can be used 


Questions & Troubleshooting