CopperCAM is an independent version of Galaad's Percival module for isolation engraving, drilling and cutting of printed-circuit boards. It is not linked to Galaad and consequently does not integrates the direct control of a CNC milling machine, but outputs either files that can be used by external driver software, or data to be sent to the machine. Except the automatic chaining to Galaad's machining module and the user's licence that is given by a classical code number, the functions are identical to Percival module :
- native 32 bits program for Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT-4 / 2000 / XP / Vista
- import of Gerber & Excellon files, with automatic or manual alignment
- management of 4 circuit layers, plus drills, plus cut-out, plus centering holes
- real-time display of equipotential paths through layers
- automatic calculation of isolating contours, hatched surface pockets
- possible drills with boring cycles, limiting tool changes
- automatic calculation of board cut-out path, with manual addition of binding points
- edition and correction of diaphragms for pads and tracks, one by one or grouped
- manual modification of isolation contours (deletion or addition with auto-snap)
- selection of tracks to be engraved at path centre (texts, logos or references)
- management of a tool library and drilling strategies depending to available cutters
- HPGL, DXF, G-code, Isel-NCP, Roland RDGL, Suregrave SML, Colinbus CBR, and definable post-processeur output
- automatic chaining to a machining driver, or output to a virtual printer driver or a COM / LPT port

CopperCAM's process sequence is simple :
- opening of a Gerber file that contains one of the printed circuit layers
- for old Gerber RS274-D files, manual edit of diaphragms (shape & size)
- opening of eventual next layers (4 circuit layers maximum)
- detection (or manual plotting) of the board cut-out contour with tool compensation
- detection (or manual plotting) and disabling of ground copper-planes
- opening of an Excellon file for eventual drillings
- automatic or manual alignment of layers (using a reference pad)
- manual plotting of tracks that represent logos or texts to be engraved at centre
- once the layers are aligned, automatic calculation of isolating contours
- eventual corrections on contours (additions between pads, deletions, connections, etc.)
- manual plotting of hatched zones to remove the copper off a surface and ease the soldering job
- eventual addition of centering holes to give an origin reference on the reversed board
- checking of drilling tools and eventual boring cycles
- at last, selection and sending of data to the driver software or to the machine

Auto-extracting & installing, multilingual (Deutsch, English, Français, Italiano)
Last update: 23/06/2009

Price :  80 €  (VAT not included)   

Limitations : variations on Gerber and Excellon formats are many and sometimes exotic. Therefore CopperCAM cannot guarantee the import of all files or the correct automatic alignment of multiple layers (the manual alignment remains always possible). The ground copper-planes that are made of hatching tracks or G36-G37 polygons are ignored since the isolation is made around active tracks and leaves the unconnected copper. The thermal pads of copper-planes or the special pads that are defined by macros or polygons may remain unread. Before purchasing, please try CopperCAM with your usual PCB-CAD software to check its good compatibility.

Limited trial without licence :  as long as you do not have a CopperCAM licence, the export of files is limited to 10 drills and 5 isolation contours. This allows you to test the software in real conditions. There are no time-limits or other restrictions of functionalities. To uninstall CopperCAM, just delete its installation directory and its starting shortcuts. No changes, no additions of files are made outside this installationdirectory ; no keys are added in the registry (except for creating the shortcuts).

Screenshots

Loading of 2 circuit layers and drills, automatic cut-out of the board

Automatic calculation of the isolation contours to be engraved, addition of hatching surfaces

View of the final copper

Setup of the output data format and automatic downstream chaining to software or machine

Tool layout

Licence by user's identification and code number