PROJECT PREPARATION
Prepare PCB Manufacturing Data for Machining
Project preparation is the first stage of the MIPEC PCB prototyping workflow. It connects your PCB design with the physical machining process by preparing manufacturing data for milling, drilling and routing. Using PCB CAM software such as TrackMaker, engineering teams can import manufacturing files, review project data, prepare machining operations and generate toolpaths before the PCB material enters the milling machine.
01 / Data Import
Import Gerber artwork and Excellon drilling data generated by your PCB design environment.
02 / Project Review
Review PCB artwork, drilling information and machining requirements before physical production begins.
03 / Double-Sided Preparation
Prepare Top and Bottom PCB data for double-sided machining using the factory-configured MIPEC mirror geometry.
04 / Toolpath Preparation
Define isolation milling, drilling, board routing and optional copper-removal operations for machining.
The Engineering Bridge: From PCB Design to CAM
PCB design software defines the electrical and geometric structure of the board. Before a prototype can be machined, that design must be translated into physical manufacturing operations.
CAM preparation defines how the milling machine will isolate copper traces, drill holes and route the board contour. This step connects the digital PCB project with the physical machining process.
TrackMaker provides the PCB CAM and machine-control environment used with MIPEC 4MILL systems to prepare manufacturing data and machining operations.
TrackMaker PCB CAM & Machine Control Software
TrackMaker supports the MIPEC PCB prototyping workflow from Gerber and Excellon data preparation through toolpath generation and direct 4MILL machine control. Explore TrackMaker →
Core Preparation Tasks
Effective project preparation brings together the PCB manufacturing data and machining strategy required to create the physical prototype.
- Top & Bottom PCB Data: Load and organize the artwork required for single- or double-sided PCB projects.
- Drill Data: Import and review Excellon drilling information and hole locations.
- Isolation & Routing: Prepare isolation paths, board outlines, internal cutouts and optional copper-removal operations.
- Double-Sided Workflow: Prepare the Top and Bottom manufacturing data used with the factory-configured MIPEC mirror geometry.
Step-by-Step Project Preparation
A structured preparation process connects the PCB manufacturing data with the physical machining operations required by the prototype.
1. Import: Load Gerber artwork and Excellon drilling data.
2. Review: Check the PCB artwork, drill information and board geometry.
3. Prepare Double-Sided Data: Prepare Top and Bottom manufacturing data where a double-sided PCB is required.
4. Prepare Operations: Define the milling, drilling and routing operations required for machining.
Import Manufacturing Data
Load Gerber PCB artwork and Excellon drilling data into the CAM environment.
Review the Project
Confirm the PCB artwork, drill information and board geometry before creating machining operations.
Prepare Double-Sided Data
For double-sided projects, prepare the Top and Bottom data used by TrackMaker with the MIPEC machine's factory-configured mirror geometry.
Generate Machining Operations
Prepare isolation milling, drilling, copper-removal and contour-routing operations for the next physical production stage.
Where Project Preparation Fits Into the MIPEC Workflow
Project preparation is the first stage of the complete in-house PCB prototyping process. Once the manufacturing data and machining operations are ready, the workflow continues to physical PCB milling and drilling. Explore the complete MIPEC workflow →
Preparation
Drilling
Connection
Application
Placement
Soldering
Project Preparation FAQ
What data is used for PCB project preparation?
Project preparation uses PCB manufacturing data such as Gerber artwork and Excellon drilling information generated by the PCB design environment.
Why is CAM preparation required before PCB milling?
CAM preparation translates PCB manufacturing data into the isolation milling, drilling and routing operations required by the physical machining process.
How are double-sided PCB projects prepared?
TrackMaker works with Top and Bottom PCB data and the factory-configured mirror geometry of the MIPEC machine. The mirror-line system is configured by MIPEC during machine manufacture and setup, so the user does not need to configure it during normal operation.
Which software is used with MIPEC PCB milling machines?
MIPEC 4MILL systems use TrackMaker PCB CAM & machine-control software for manufacturing-data preparation, toolpath generation and direct machine control.
Do users need CNC programming knowledge during project preparation?
No. The normal TrackMaker workflow does not require users to write G-code or manually program CNC machine movements.
What happens after Project Preparation?
The next stage is PCB Milling & Drilling, where the prepared machining operations are used to create the physical PCB prototype.