FlatCAM PCB CNC Full Tutorial - Sponsored by NextPCB

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Create a 2 sided PCB with FlatCam - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpSql2mEq9qVfM0

[@m3chanist]

This is brilliant, The amount of software induced pain you have evaporated is astronomical! Bravo! bravo! I have been fumbling with Flatcam for over a year and now I understand, thank you.

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thank you for your lovely comment!

[@erickvega2631]

I incredibly appreciate that you are sharing tribal knowledge. Recommending a 0.2mm x 30deg bit is exactly what I came here for.

[@marioptoledo]

best Flat cam tutorial ever! many thanks dude! Cheers from Colombia

[@chunkygeek814]

Nice work, the first good guide I found for Flatcam and DIY PCB. Thanks

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for your comment :-)

[@andreabelian1861]

This video helped me a lot. I am new to flat cam and He explains all very clearly. thank you so much.

[@rrr92462]

Great vid!! I really needed this info.

[@brianm9480]

Great VIdeo. Can you show how you did the Z probing of the PCB to compensate for uneven PCBs? Thanks

[@richardshell8775]

Thank you so much it is a most concise and in depth tutorial and its really made it painless getting the code for cnc pcb work thank you again.

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Glad it helped :)

[@rioferzz]

what type of engraving tools to make pcb?, what degree? (15, 30, or 60°?) And what type for making masking text?

[@rampak1]

The current version of FlatCAM seems to have a number of differences in the setup - is there a video which just highlights these?

[@pingnaganp]

The best short & sweet video on the Flat-cam ever, thanks mate, Stay great !!! Awesome

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lfernandons]

Thanks for the vídeos, It helped a Lot 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 How can i make the height MAP?

[@thomasbauer5663]

Many thanks in preparing this great video. Well explained. As I just finished my ANT PCB CNC machine, I was right about to identify all the bits and pieces about the workflow. Your video made my day, thanks again, great help for me in understanding the CAM process. *Thumb up* I really like your visualization type of results you choose within your video tutorial e.g. the milling depths photos for understanding / visualization. Really awesome for beginners like me. Its answering my beginner questions and preventing me from doing mistakes. Please keep it up. i am really looking forward for additional stuff. *:-)*

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thank you so much 😊

[@OctaRudin]

Lifesaver. Thankyou. You did a great job with cnc 3018 router.

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thanks, good feedback is important for us.

[@aboimad5178]

The best tutorial I saw ever .. may Allah guid you to the Janna ..

[@charlesbradshaw1285]

Thats very interesting, but where did you get that version of flatcam? The only versions I can find look nothing like it.

[@davidgrey943]

Hi, I need some help I have just purchased a 3018 CNC unit I went to the site for the FlatCAM software they said that with FlatCam you needed to download a Python-based software as well is this the case or have I missed something?

[@ercanmutlu8706]

Hi DIY TECH BROS, how can I use the hitmap or highmap? You told this into important steps and the second was this.

[@filipecoelho9855]

THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING! Thank you so much, I've been struggling with FlatCAM for a while now and for the first time my PCB looks professional! One question, how do you separate the board from the cutouts?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thank you! I use an exacto knife to score both sides and then I just bend it slowly from side to side. If the PCB design allows it, I usually just use two tabs, so that I can twist it from side to side.

[@ludokustermans]

Hi, You did not show in detail how to initate the start of the milling. I used a cnc file created by flatcam and loaded it into Candle, but get stuck with a M6 command

[@vijaymecheng]

Very excellent sir, My flat cam screen is appear black screen,what i do how ti change that sir plz

[@nicho.s.]

Hi, I'm wondering why do you select TT or tool type as C1 when you are using V bit on the machine?

[@gregwoolley]

Much thanks.. very helpful.

[@bricea6931]

Please what is the bit used for the cutout ? Very useful video by the way. Thanks

[@JaymeVanAuken]

Very well done thank you - Jayme

[@georgeb9256]

I have just come across your video and am totally new to flatcam! The first problem I have come across is trying to load the gerber file! I cannot find it!! I have freshly downloaded flatCAM 8.994 (2020/11/7 )-64bit. What am I doing incorrectly?

[@danaknight7678]

When I try to set Z depth to -.1 it is a greyed out field, and hovering over it it says because I specified a V bit tool it has calculated it from the dia and angle I entered. But when I look at Gcode it says it is -0.0 mm ? Your video excellent, thanks.

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Hello, I have a question. How can someone take off the other side of the pcb board cooper layer so If using through hold it won't short nothing out?

[@JackJTR779]

May i ask how do u do the height map ? Can u make a video of step by step tutorial on the height map ?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thanks for the input :-)

[@ramradhakrishnan9382]

Thank you for a clear explanation. I just have one question; Which version of FlatCam are you running in this tutorial ? It somewhat matches beta 8.994, 64-bit. But when I run it on my Windows 10 64 bit PC, there is no "Select" TAB! Although I was able to rout a PCB, some of the user interface items were very different - the Cut Z started with -0.05 though I used the exact same starting tool size of 0.1 type C1.

[@oncom81]

6:43 sett tool parameter of tool isolation 15:07 before running cnc

[@jamescanada4994]

I have been trying to make PCB using a 3018PROver for over a year on and off and with no success at all! I believe there are steps missing in the way the height mapping is performed as that is where everything goes south for me. Using Candle 1.1.7 and all the information I get is vary vague on performing a height map. I always get a "Error message(s) received: 30: M6 < error:20" Then my Z goes to the Top and hits the stop and my CNC needs to be reset and all is lost. Start all over to get same results, Am I missing something or doing something wrong? :(

[@LeandroSehnemHeck]

Hey, nice video, thanks for sharing this. You should make one that covers the actual board cutout instead of creating one inside the FlatCam.

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thanks for the idea!

[@Berghiker]

I am using the Back copper.gbr and not the top layer. Will this also work?

[@rioferzz]

I'm unable to cahnge the Cut Z value, it's greyed out, why is it?

[@StoneTL]

Can you send the link to download 8.991 not 8.994 version, because there's a new interface and I don't really like it.

[@ahmedahmed-yg5fl]

The best

[@Berghiker]

What format should I use in KiCad to generate my drill files so that it works in FLATCAM?

[@myhobbies5965]

thanks for excellent tutorial, keep it up. best wishes for you.

[@redd6914]

Thank you for the video. Does flatcam also generate gcode for removing soldermask for the soldering pads? Thank you

[@emiliomontagnana]

Hi, can you please share the gerber used in the video? Many thanks!

[@ratbagley]

Awesome thanks!

[@GeorgeGalanis1010]

Why am I stuck at 0:39 in your video? "Go to edit and choose Preferences". I have no preferences in my edit menu....help...

[@BrynFLEW]

why when i import my nc drill file and send it to the grbl candle cnc for the 3018, the scale is off? its tiny and half the size its suppose to be? Please assist..

[@leec2106]

And now the new version doesn't match what you showed here. I do not see how to add my Vee tool!

[@omraniachref9062]

Is this applicable with cnc 3018 pro GRBL ?? I hope u answer me 😃

[@DIYTECHBROS]

It is :-)

[@omraniachref9062]

@@DIYTECHBROS thank you :D

[@omraniachref9062]

@@DIYTECHBROS do you have any website page with more details ?

[@leec2106]

IN FLATCAM HOW CAN I CHANGE THE PROJECT TAB FONT, IT IS TO TINY FOR MY EYES?

[@projects4home]

great and very clear video !

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Thank you!!

[@radustamate5442]

Great video! Very informative! My only question is: what is the spindle speed and if you have any general recommendations wrt to it?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Spindle speed and feed rate is depending a lot on you bit and copper clad board. Usually a wide range of speeds and feeds work well. Just make sure it does not rip off to much copper.

[@garryfoster6037]

Great presentation.

[@helium4amc]

Fantastic video! I have just gotten a 3018 and am starting to play with it. I will definitely use FlatCAM now! One question: Is the height-mapping process automatic from somewhere, or do you do it manually?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi! It's a function in GRBL Control / Candel that' s called hight map. You only specify the grid size and it does the rest. Many other CNC software also have this feature :-)

[@helium4amc]

@@DIYTECHBROS That's brilliant, thank you! I will have a play. And thanks for the quick response, you have a new subscriber!

[@akira-hz4te]

@@DIYTECHBROS Where did you take the crocodile clip from and how does it work? How do you plug it into the machine?

[@dimtim4298]

great video thanks. just got to figure out the drl file as it scaled wrong. on 8.5 just needed to scale by 10 but on 8.991 it way to big and if i scale it, it just below the starting point

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Glad it helped :-) Scaling can be challenging. But there are a lot of tools for adjusting your PCB-loyout in FlatCam.

[@خالدباشميل-ب9و]

why don't see pcb circuit in plot area

[@Berghiker]

I don't have any GTL outputs, only Gerber for the cutout.

[@Berghiker]

Is edge cuts not the same as Border Outline? I used the Edge cuts.gbr file.

[@Wafa2truth]

Do you mind providing the gcode of this circuit

[@davidrathbone6978]

Flatcam version changed to 8.994 on clicking within Isolation Tool has a slight diffrent layout setting more than 1 pass makes it crash

[@خالدباشميل-ب9و]

I can able start in flatcam can you help me

[@barryc43]

When will you release FlatCAM in Win32 8.99.EXE or Win64 8.99.EXE format please?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi Berry! I’m sorry, we only try to share tips and tricks on KZbin. We are not part of the FlatCam team.

[@coresnowboarder]

Can this output Sieb & Myer G-Code?

[@miliohm]

what kind of drill bit and angle did you use? I have really difficulties make small pcb path

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi! I used a 0.2mm 30 deg V-carve bit. Make sure it’s absolutely centered!

[@Berghiker]

I don't have any GTL files. What are they?

[@jimmihenry]

Nice tutorial i am hours away now from making my first PCB. I used KiCAD to create the traces but for the milling oeration you need to mirrow the greber if you wont to go with thru hole elements. The mirrow plot check box is not avaliable using KiCAD, can FlatCAM take care of that? Or do we have to stick to Flip and Rotate twice using KiCAD? Last operation kind of sucks :(. But your vid is dope thumb up :)!

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Sure, you can mirror it! You also have flip, flop and rotate!

[@خالدباشميل-ب9و]

I don't find preferences edit , why ??

[@ayadsobhan6195]

Sir pleass i need heelp I need Flatcam program form you Because that i dowenlod it from enternet not full options. As you that you use I hope heelp me

[@خالدباشميل-ب9و]

why plot area in flatcam is black

[@muneeburrehman450]

flatcam runs too slow and many times stops working saying not responding and at the end i have to close it and gives cx freze error

[@giuliosaoncella6727]

Nice video, Bros, I'm stunned about the quality of engravig: my CNC3018 has a precision of... at least 1mm !!! Impossible for me to engrave some simple SMD track even using Z-probing with 10 degs engraving bit... it seems the collet is "bended" and there's no way to adjust it, since it was hot-fitted this way and the little screws on the sides are unuseful... any suggestion about modifying the spindle + collet set to raise up the precision? Thank You

[@DIYTECHBROS]

oh...sorry to hear that! We have two 3018 (one pro and on regular one) and both are very accurate. But, yes, there are often tings that you can do to improve it. 1. Locate the error. Is the problem on one axis? Try engraving a couple circles in different sizes and measure (and look) at how round they are. 2. What causes the error? Too much tension? Too much slack? 3. Fix the issue. If there are to much tension, are there misalignments? Is any thing skewed? Any things that needs lower friction? And if there is too much slack, rubber bands pulling things to one end will often help a lot. Another "common" problem with bits, especially when they are only 10 degrees is that the tip break off really fast (or bends). We usually use 30-60 degrees! And never less than 0.2mm tip (unless absolutely, absolutely, absolutely necessary). Also, centering the bit will be very important. This can take a couple of tries! If it is still the motor / collet - I'm afraid it needs replacement... Best of luck!

[@giuliosaoncella6727]

​@@DIYTECHBROS Very Useful Infos !! Really ! I bought a new spindle+collet set and replaced the "suspected bended" one: now this is not a suspect anymore: the new set runs mooooooore better: 0.1 / 10degs engraving bit now create a 0.2mm diameter "dot" and very thin lines at 0.1mm engraving depth... but your suggestions are absolutely true: never thinked about "bit-bending", while it maybe the most probable cause of low-quality results. Anyway, I have so many bits of this kind I'm planning to use a new one for every PCB... I will test. In the meanwhile, thank You very much for your answer. Cheers ;-)

[@aboimad5178]

i tried it on my 3018pro but i got some unsupported codes error:20 m6 and after starting 2 seconds cnc stopped

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Please share the error message!

[@aboimad5178]

@@DIYTECHBROS thank you my friend its only putting the machine on hold so i need to press pause button again to begin

[@DIYTECHBROS]

What software are you using?

[@aboimad5178]

@@DIYTECHBROS gbrlcontrol candle

[@RixtronixLAB]

Nice info, thanks :)

[@votonganhmeo7763]

Please guide to install flatcam

[@TnInventor]

i am using windows , i only found flatcam 8.5 which is very different from yours , can you help?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi! Check out bitbucket.org/jpcgt/flatcam/downloads/ :-)

[@TnInventor]

@@DIYTECHBROS after i download the source zip what do i do with it?

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Do not use the source. Scroll further down :-) there are some install exe files. That will work better!

[@TnInventor]

@@DIYTECHBROS i want to have your version , i downloaded 8. but it is diffrent , what version are you using? i can see its beta but i cant find a zip file for it

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi! Sorry, it has changed. See the frist file Windows_Installers_Beta_8.993.txt There is a link and password to a new location where it can be downloaded! Hope it solves everything :-)

[@typedef_]

you have an opera singing voice lol

[@DIYTECHBROS]

🤣

[@balexfox]

i am using 8.5 ver easy then 8.9 for home work)

[@mervedamar8169]

hi all, Does anyone know how to cut? I want to cut inside, not outside

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi merve damar! It will cut on the line. You can make it bigger in FlatCam.

[@winandd8649]

I always cut my traces 0.05 mm deep and that has always been deep enough. I'm using cheap chinese PCB blanks.

[@DIYTECHBROS]

That's cool! Most of the PCBs we are using have a copper thickness that is just a bit bigger.

[@miliohm]

what kind of drill bit and angle did you use? I have difficulties make small pcb path

[@winandd8649]

@@DIYTECHBROS I stand corrected; Just received a batch of blank pcb's which i need to mill at 0.08 to be safe milling all copper away :-)

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Cool :-)

[@winandd8649]

@@miliohm 0.2mm 30 degree engraving bit. Attention; engraving bit needs to be sharp! when you start seeing rough edges which feels sharp to your finger tips, it's dull.. A cheap engraving bit needs to be replaced (estimate) after milling about 20x20mm with much / dense traces..

[@painofakatsuki22]

opened gerber file but nothing appeared

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Strange, what file did you open?

[@painofakatsuki22]

@@DIYTECHBROS a grbr file exported from Sprint-Layout Can I ask for help? Thank you

[@johnwalker1471]

JFC so many bloody ads this is not watchable!

[@muneeburrehman450]

unable to run flatcam even python is installed

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi! Have you tried a different version?

[@cobramartrogers]

You also need to install Visual Studio free from Microsoft.

[@automateyourhouse]

Excellent video thanks for posting. One question please : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y16mk2RnncqofsU I cant seem to get my drill piece to rotate centrally, i have tried a few and all the same, any tips please? thanks

[@DIYTECHBROS]

Hi Levanter30! Have you tried to mill a PCB with it? Often it may look much worse than it is.

[@automateyourhouse]

@@DIYTECHBROS i am drilling 0.8mm, the holes are slightly bigger due to the misalignment but you're right they were not as bad as i thought they would be. Great videos guys , keep it up :-) thanks

[@steveu235]

Too bad it wasn't easier to install in linux need to be a brain surgeon rocket engineer to use in linux.

[@TheSolongsidekick]

How is it none of the tutorials mention what the hell the "TT" (seems to be tool shape) setting is in the tool database / tool settings, and even the official documentation never even freaking mentions it? So frustrating.