LPKF Protomat S-43 Experiences: Tools used in Protomat S-43

This post is about different tools used in LPKF Protomat S43 Circuit Plotter

The tools used in S-43 can be classified into two types

1. Surface Tools
2. Penetrating Tools

Surface Tools:

Surface tools are the ones that engrave traces on the PCB by scraping copper off the base material. Three are four types of surface tools

1. Universal cutter

A universal cutter is a general purpose milling tool that can perform a wide range of milling operations. The universal cutter is 0.2 mm in diameter yet is can cut in a range of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. 

A 0.2 mm universal cutting tool

Illustration copied from LPKF Website

2. Micro cutter

A micro cutter is similar to universal cutter that can engrave traces in range of 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm. 

3. H.F cutter

I've never used an HF cutter but by definition HF stands for "high frequency" and tool is used in applications where a high frequency PCB needs to be designed. The HF cutter cuts very neat traces with no slopes. 

4. End mill

An end milling tool is used to remove bulk copper from the board. It comes in different sizes. In a standard starter package shipped by LPKF there are three sizes of end mills available

1. 0.8 mm (1/32 inch)

2. 1.0 mm 

3. 2.0 mm

0.8mm , 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm end mills

Penetrating Tools:

Penetrating tools are the tools that punch through the PCB material by drilling action. There are two types of penetrating tools used in S-43

1. Spiral Drills

Spiral drills are the basic drills used with LPKF S43. They come in a wide range of standard sizes ranging from 0.2 mm to 2.4 mm. Holes larger than 2.4 mm are made through an contour routing tool. 

0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm and 0.7mm spiral drills

2. Contour Routing Tool

A contour routing tool is used to cut the PCB board out of the base material. 

1mm and 2mm contour routing tools

Tool Life

The tungsten carbide tools in LPKF S-43 are considered consumables. Each tool has a life span and can only work for certain number of operations after which it is rendered useless. The software "circuit pro" keeps track of the tool life. Up till now I haven't found the life of tools in either "hours of operation" or "number of operation". I will update it as soon as I find it somewhere. 

For any further information please contact saarizvi4@hotmail.com