CNC Milling for Makers

6Advanced Milling Techniques

This chapter explains in detail how to use a gantry router to perform:

• PCB Isolation milling
• Underwater milling
• 2.5D milling using CAM software

6.1Isolation Milling

Most hobbyists who make their own printed circuit boards (PCBs) create them using etching techniques. The simplest way to do this is to take a copper-plated board, mask the areas you don’t want to etch, and place the board in an etching solution of ferric chloride or sodium persulfate. The chemical then etches away the unwanted parts of the copper plating. Both of these chemicals represent a health and environmental risk, and usually have to be disposed ...