LPKF Protomat S-43 Experiences: Construction of S43 and supporting components

S-43 is designed for fast in-house production of Printed Circuit Boards. It is as simple as operating a laserjet printer. This post will cover what S-43 looks like. Its different features and the supporting equipment required to operate this machine.

Sound Proof Enclosure: 

S-43 comes with a sound proof plastic enclosure which serves three important purposes

1. Sound Proofing 

2. Prevent fine particles produced in milling from escaping into room ventilation system

3. Helps prevent operating personnel from accidentally touching the machine while it is operating.

LPKF S-43 equipped with an FR4 Copper Clad PCB Board

Air Management System

The machine needs an air management system (A Vacuum Cleaner) for its operation. It is a necessary supporting equipment. Its purpose is to such fine particles and residue produced during the milling process and prevent it from escaping into the environment. This waste must be discarded with care as the fine particles in it are very harmful for human breathing system.

LPKF Air Management System

Hydraulic Risers: 
The cover is equipped with two hydraulic risers that keep the cover open and also prevent it from being closed abruptly. A hissing sound is common when opening and closing the cover because of the hydraulic risers.

S-43 with its cover opened

Milling Head:
Following figure shows the milling head of S-43. The head consists of a chuck for holding the milling/drilling tool. The head is capable of controlled motion in x, y and z axis. At bottom of the head there is a depth limiter whose purpose is to prevent accidental movement of milling head below certain depth as the z axis is software controlled. Any unwanted human error can easily make the milling head go beyond the desired depth and damage the tool or base material which is where the depth limiter plays its role.

Milling head of S-43

Depth Limiter for the S-43 milling head

Apart from depth limiter, the milling head is also equipped with a micrometer screw gauge which is used to adjust the milling depth and also the width (it will be explained in the future posts). 

Micrometer screw-gauge for milling depth adjustment

A tool holder is also present on the milling head. The blue conincal tool holder is used to hold tool while it is being mounted on the milling head.

Tool Support for Mounting the tool (conic thing in blue color)

Expansion/Upgrade Port:
There is an expansion port that is used when S-43 is upgraded to S-63 or S-103. The upgraded versions have features like automatic tool exchange and fiducial recognition camera.

Expansion Port of Upgrade to S-63 or S-103

Power Switch: 
The On/Off switch is located on the front-right-bottom of the machine. The is no other button on this machine - the rest is just software controlled.

Power Button on S-43

For further information please contact saarizvi4@hotmail.com