Whats CEM-1 Material? - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Overclocked · 12th January 2007, 06:09 PM

Exactly as the title says, What is it? Its used in PCBs, and its cheaper than FR-4. Is it easier to cut? Is there any difference between FR4 and CEM-1?

dknguyen · 12th January 2007, 07:05 PM

I think they are the same thing:

http://www.ccieurolam.com/cms/conten...4/123/lang,en/

"FR4 OR CEM-1" rather than "FR4 and CEM-1"

hjames · 12th January 2007, 08:33 PM

http://www.felsweb.com/lam_faq.htm

CEM-1 is mostly paper with some glass. FR-4 is glass only. Both are epoxy based.

Overclocked · 12th January 2007, 10:58 PM

Speaking of PCBs, How can I cut PCBs? I used a hacksaw but the cuts came out crooked. Then I started using a sharp knife to score the board and then break it apart.

**Nigel Goodwin** · 12th January 2007, 11:04 PM

Some people on these forums use bandsaws - and have probably bought them just for that!.

hjames · 12th January 2007, 11:32 PM

I've got something that looks like the 12" tabletop shears in this link:

http://www.engraversnetwork.com/store/shears.html

The edges are crufty, but chopping PCB's goes a heck of a lot faster.

Russlk · 12th January 2007, 11:32 PM

I use a metal cutting fiber disc on my table saw. It makes a smooth cut and I don't have to file the edges. I bought a mini table saw from Harbor Freight, it worked good but did not last long.

Sceadwian · 13th January 2007, 12:11 AM

A dremel tool with a side cutting drill bit could be used to hand route a board but the cut's only going to be as good as your hand. Sanding afterwards should neaten it up.

RadioRon · 13th January 2007, 12:14 AM

I use large sheet metal shears, the hand held kind, that cost little money, like this one:

hjames · 13th January 2007, 05:18 AM

I think I've seen someone use a fiber cutoff wheel in a dremel tool with good results - the edges were pretty clean, if you don't mind the dust.

The best tool depends on quantity though - I was just messing with some simple LED boards yesterday, and I diced up a 12"x13" panel into about 80 12" strips using the shears. It was pretty ugly, but I couldn't begin to imagine doing it with any other method.

Sceadwian · 13th January 2007, 06:55 AM

I doubt breathing the glass/resin dust from cutting a PCB is healthy for you, make sure you have a good particulate dust mask!

Shax · 24th January 2007, 01:23 PM

I use a small water cooled electric diamond tile saw.
Cost me £29.95 about 5 years ago. Cuts real straight and fast. And as a bonus, there is no harmful fibreglass dust to worry about.

Piccy attached!!

**Nigel Goodwin** · 24th January 2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shax

I use a small water cooled electric diamond tile saw.
Cost me £29.95 about 5 years ago. Cuts real straight and fast. And as a bouns, there is no harmful fibreglass dust to worry about.

Cool idea!.

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12th January 2007, 06:09 PM	(permalink)
Overclocked	Whats CEM-1 Material? Exactly as the title says, What is it? Its used in PCBs, and its cheaper than FR-4. Is it easier to cut? Is there any difference between FR4 and CEM-1?

12th January 2007, 07:05 PM	(permalink)
dknguyen	I think they are the same thing: http://www.ccieurolam.com/cms/conten...4/123/lang,en/ "FR4 OR CEM-1" rather than "FR4 and CEM-1"

12th January 2007, 08:33 PM	(permalink)
hjames	http://www.felsweb.com/lam_faq.htm CEM-1 is mostly paper with some glass. FR-4 is glass only. Both are epoxy based.

12th January 2007, 10:58 PM	(permalink)
Overclocked	Speaking of PCBs, How can I cut PCBs? I used a hacksaw but the cuts came out crooked. Then I started using a sharp knife to score the board and then break it apart.

12th January 2007, 11:04 PM	(permalink)
Nigel Goodwin	Some people on these forums use bandsaws - and have probably bought them just for that!. __________________ PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at: http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

12th January 2007, 11:32 PM	(permalink)
hjames	I've got something that looks like the 12" tabletop shears in this link: http://www.engraversnetwork.com/store/shears.html The edges are crufty, but chopping PCB's goes a heck of a lot faster.

12th January 2007, 11:32 PM	(permalink)
Russlk	I use a metal cutting fiber disc on my table saw. It makes a smooth cut and I don't have to file the edges. I bought a mini table saw from Harbor Freight, it worked good but did not last long. __________________ see my website: www.geocities.com/russlk

13th January 2007, 12:11 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	A dremel tool with a side cutting drill bit could be used to hand route a board but the cut's only going to be as good as your hand. Sanding afterwards should neaten it up. __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."

13th January 2007, 05:18 AM	(permalink)
hjames	I think I've seen someone use a fiber cutoff wheel in a dremel tool with good results - the edges were pretty clean, if you don't mind the dust. The best tool depends on quantity though - I was just messing with some simple LED boards yesterday, and I diced up a 12"x13" panel into about 80 12" strips using the shears. It was pretty ugly, but I couldn't begin to imagine doing it with any other method.

13th January 2007, 06:55 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	I doubt breathing the glass/resin dust from cutting a PCB is healthy for you, make sure you have a good particulate dust mask! __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."