Fabrication equipment or makerspace equipment is a set of devices that allows you to make or change materials. This typically includes but is not limited to a 3d printer and a laser cutter. At SIL-EE these two are featured as well. In addition, we also have a PCB-printer!
The PCB printer at SIL-EE
A PCB printer creates printed circuit boards directly from a digital design, without the traditional etching process. Instead of chemically removing copper from a board, it deposits conductive copper ink onto a substrate to form the circuit traces. Some models also place insulating layers and solder paste, allowing you to build multi-layer boards and mount components in a single workflow. You design the circuit in software like KiCad or Eagle, export the layout, and the printer lays down the traces layer by layer.
SIL-EE uses a BotFactory SV2, with a 152 × 152 mm maximum substrate size, support for up to 6 conductive layers, and a minimum trace width of 8 mil (~0.2 mm). It also includes a paste-dispensing head for solder paste or conductive glue, and a pick-and-place head that can mount surface-mount components down to 0603. Common substrates include FR4, Kapton, PET, and other flexible films. Designs are imported as Gerber RS-274X files from ECAD tools like KiCad or Eagle, or as bitmap images for simpler layouts.
Specifics
Quick specifics
Multiple specifics across the SV2 [1].
Print Technology | Thermal Inkjet Printing |
Ink Types (curing method) | Conductive (heat), Insulating (UV) |
Min. Trace Width | 8 mils [200 microns] |
Min. Pin Pitch | SV2 – Starter: 24 mil [600 microns] SV2 – Enhanced: 20 mil [500 microns] SV2 – Professional: 16 mil [400 microns] |
Min. Via Dimension | Diameter: 25 mil [600 microns] Drill Size: 15 mil [400 microns] |
Max. Printable Area | 4.6" x 5.5" [117 x 140 mm] [X/Y] |
Number of Layers | 1-2 (Starter), 1-4 (Enhanced) or 1-6 (Professional) |
Supported Formats | GERBER RS-274X, . jpg, .png, .tiff, .bmp |
Paste Technology | Syringe Extrusion |
Paste Types | Conductive Epoxy and Solder Paste |
Extruded Dot Size | 8 mils [200 microns] |
Min. Part Size | 0603 [1608 Metric] |
Max. Part Size | 0.78" x 0.78" [20 x 20 mm] |
Tape Tray | 6 x 8mm tapes, 2 x 12mm, 1 x 16mm Cut Tapes |
Tray: Parts loaded | Max. 42 per batch |
Supported Formats | Centroid file (text file describing Reference Designator, Footprint, X/Y location, and Rotation). The file can be generated by your CAD tool, like AutoCAD |
Max. Substrate Size | 6" x 6" 152 x 152 mm [X/Y] |
Max. Circuit Size | 4.9" x 4.8" 125 x 122 mm [X/Y] |
XYZ Positioning Repeatability | ± 0.8 mil [20 microns] |
XYZ Positioning Resolution | 0.4 mil [10 microns] |
[1] https://www.botfactory.co/page/sv2-specs-50
The 3D Printer at SIL-EE
A 3D printer builds physical objects layer by layer from a digital design. It heats plastic filament until it melts and deposits it through a fine nozzle, tracing each layer of the object onto a build plate before moving up and adding the next one. You design or download a 3D model on a computer, slice it into layers using dedicated software, and the printer follows those layers to construct the object in plastic.
SIL-EE uses an Ultimaker S5 Pro as 3D Printer, with a 330 × 240 × 300 mm build volume, a dual-extrusion print head, and a humidity-controlled filament chamber for moisture-sensitive materials. Common filaments include PLA, ABS, PETG, and water-soluble PVA or breakaway material for supports. Models are imported as .stl or similar 3D file types and prepared in Ultimaker Cura before being sent to the printer.
How To use it?
Down below is a link to how to use the 3D printer at SIL-EE.
Quick Specifics
Spec | Value |
Build volume | 330 x 240 x 300 mm |
Print technology | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) |
Compatible filament diameter | 2.85 mm |
Layer resolution | 60 - 400 microns (depending on the print core nozzle size and print profile) |
XYZ resolution | 6.9, 6.9, 2.5 micron |
Feeder type | Dual-geared feeder, reinforced for composite materials |
Print head | Dual extrusion print head with an auto-nozzle lifting system, swappable print cores. |
Nozzle diameters | 0.25 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm |
Nozzle temperature | 180 - 280 °C |
Build plate leveling | Advanced active leveling |
Build plate | Glass build plate |
Supplied free software | UltiMaker Cura – print preparation software UltiMaker Digital Factory – printer management software UltiMaker Essentials – enterprise-grade online software tools |
Supported file types | UltiMaker Cura: STL, OBJ, X3D, 3MF, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG Printable formats: G, GCODE, GCODE.gz, UFP |
File transfer | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz), Ethernet, USB |
[1] https://ultimaker.com/3d-printers/s-series/ultimaker-s5/
The Laser Cutter at SIL-EE
A laser cutter uses a focused beam of light to cut or engrave materials. The laser heats the material so precisely that it melts, burns, or vaporises along an exact path, leaving a clean edge. You design a shape on a computer, send it to the machine, and the laser traces it onto wood, acrylic, paper, leather, or thin metal.
SIL-EE uses a Trotec Speedy 300, with a 735 × 435 mm bed and a maximum material thickness of 6.5 mm. Common cutting materials include acrylic (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), plywood, cardboard, paper, leather, and textiles.
Quick specifics
Quick Specifics
Spec | Value |
Working area | 726 x 432 mm (29 x 17 inch) |
Max. height of work piece | 200 mm (7.8 inch) with 1.5 inch lens; 200 mm (7.8 inch) with 2.0 inch lens; 187 mm (7.3 inch) with 2.5 inch lens; 149 mm (5.8 inch) with 4.0 inch lens |
Working table | Ferromagnetic table, honeycomb cutting tabletop |
Max. processing speed | 3.55 m/s (140 ips) |
Lens | 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0 inch |
Accuracy | +/- 0.015 mm (0.0006 inch), over the whole working area |
Addressable accuracy | 5 µm (0.0002 inch) |
Maximum material load | 20 kg (44 lbs), load over the whole working area |
Software | JobControl® Expert |
Laser system | CO2 Sealed-off laser, maintenance free, air cooled, wavelength 10.6 µm |
Laser power | CO2 30, 45, 60, 80, 100 and 120 W |
Laser class | CDRH laser class 2 |
[1] https://www.troteclaser.com/static/pdf/speedy-300/Datasheet-Speedy-300C-8066-en.pdf
