Milling of PCB (LS-PL-224)
The Reason for Choosing the Topic
The aim of the “Milling of PCB” course was to show young high technical school students how to make their own printed circuit board using a mini CNC machine tool.
This Learning Scenario is a continuation of the previously discussed classes such as ‘Virtual PCB – preparation for engraving or etching‘ and ‘Own PCB – transfer and pickling.’ However, in this case, we did not carry out the thermal transfer and chemical etching but used a mini CNC milling machine.
During the classes, we focused on moving the virtual print layer from “Fritzing” to the machine control program – grblControl. To increase the attractiveness of the lecture and laboratory exercises, ICT techniques were used to introduce professional issues.
To bring this topic closer, modern PCBs, modern and earlier machine tools were shown. In order to search for these elements, the focus was mainly on the resources of the Europeana portal as well as on own materials related to lessons from the teacher’s website.
The Course of the Classes
The first part of the lesson was devoted to Europeana, what information could be found on it, how to use its resources and explain the basic attributes of the platform.
Then, using the Europeana search engine, the students, with the help of the teacher as well as their peers, searched for information related to STEM, PCB and electronics, programming, machining, etc.
As you can see, the combination of cultural heritage connects with such aspects of the engineer’s work. Europeana clearly shows that culture and engineering do not develop separately but together. Every, even the smallest thing, from culture has its mapping in engineering and the other way around.
Why use Europeana with future engineers?
The Europeana portal can be an inspiration for future engineering students on how to design various things not only in a functional way but also to meet the sophisticated tastes of people sensitive to culture. This approach to design is extremely desirable nowadays. We see such things more and more often in our surroundings, it is enough to look at household appliances from 30 or 50 years ago and the contemporary ones. Often, the new ones are simply better refined visually. Europeana offers resources making such comparisons possible.
Would you like to know more about this learning scenario? You can download it here:
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The featured image used to illustrate this article belong to the public domain.