PCB routers and milling machines are specialized equipment used in the manufacturing of electronic circuits. At their core, these devices are designed to meticulously remove excess material from printed circuit boards (PCBs) to create intricate pathways for electricity to flow. Main functions include precise cutting, drilling, and shaping of the PCB according to electronic design specifications, which is crucial for ensuring the proper functionality of the final electronic product. These machines employ advanced control systems that allow for detailed and accurate routing, essential in the miniaturization of electronics where component sizes are continuously shrinking.
The primary use of PCB routers and milling machines lies in the creation of prototypes and fabrication of electronic components. They are characterized by their precision and ability to handle complex designs with high repeatability. The versatility of these machines allows for the production of single units for testing purposes or small batches for specialized applications. Users benefit from the ability to rapidly iterate designs, which accelerates the development process in the electronics industry. Some common manufacturers of these sophisticated machines include LPKF Laser & Electronics, T-Tech, and Bantam Tools.