TRACKMAKER SOFTWARE
From PCB Manufacturing Data to Machine Control
TrackMaker is MIPEC's PCB CAM and machine-control software for preparing manufacturing data and producing prototype circuit boards on MIPEC 4MILL systems. It combines PCB data import, project editing, machining preparation, toolpath calculation, production layout and direct machine control within one software environment.
One Environment for PCB Preparation and Machining
Import Gerber artwork and Excellon drilling data, prepare the machining operations and review the PCB project directly in TrackMaker.
Once preparation is complete, the same software transfers the project into the production environment and controls the connected MIPEC 4MILL machine.
No manual G-code programming is required during the normal PCB production workflow.
Import & Prepare
Load Gerber and Excellon manufacturing data and organize the PCB project.
Calculate Toolpaths
Prepare isolation milling, copper removal, drilling and board routing operations.
Organize Production
Position, rotate and duplicate prepared PCBs on the available machine working area.
Control the 4MILL
Run the machining process directly from TrackMaker without programming the CNC machine manually.
From PCB Data to Machining
01 / Import PCB Data
Load the Gerber artwork and Excellon drilling information used for the PCB project.
02 / Prepare Toolpaths
Review the project, select tools and calculate the required PCB machining operations.
03 / Start Machining
Transfer the prepared PCB to the production environment and control the connected 4MILL.
The TrackMaker Workflow
PCB Data
Edit
Tools
Toolpaths
Board
Tool List
& Route
PCB Milling Without CNC Programming
TrackMaker is designed around PCB production rather than conventional CNC programming. Users work directly with PCB layers, drilled holes, board outlines, machining tools and production operations through the graphical interface.
There is no need to write G-code or manually program machine movements. The user prepares the PCB project, follows the machining steps in TrackMaker and controls the 4MILL from the same software.
No G-Code Required
TrackMaker converts the prepared PCB manufacturing data into the machining operations required by the 4MILL. The user works with PCB production tasks rather than CNC code.
Core TrackMaker Capabilities
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Gerber & Excellon Import
Import the PCB artwork and drilling data required for the machining project.
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Milling DRC
Check whether the selected isolation tool can physically pass through the available PCB clearances.
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Tool Database
Assign the tools and machining parameters required for different PCB fabrication operations.
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Step & Repeat
Arrange multiple instances of a prepared PCB within the machine production area.
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Project Editing
Modify artwork, drilling data, board outlines and generated machining paths where required.
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Toolpath Optimization
Sequence machining paths to reduce unnecessary movements between individual operations.
Import PCB Manufacturing Data
TrackMaker works with standard PCB manufacturing files and keeps the artwork, drilling information, board geometry and calculated machining paths together within the PCB project.
Gerber Artwork
Import PCB artwork in Extended Gerber RS-274X and supported Standard Gerber RS-274D format.
Excellon Drill Data
Import drilling coordinates and tool information for holes required by the PCB project.
Drag & Drop
Manufacturing files can be opened through TrackMaker or dragged directly from Windows Explorer into the software workspace.
Single- and Double-Sided PCB Projects
TrackMaker organizes Top and Bottom PCB artwork together with drilling data, board-outline information and the calculated machining paths.
Complete projects can be saved and reopened later so preparation and production can continue across multiple working sessions.
Visual Project Workspace
PCB manufacturing data and generated machining paths are presented graphically. Layer visibility and display order can be adjusted during project preparation and inspection.
Toolpaths can be viewed according to their actual machining width or as center lines representing the trajectory of the tool.
Edit the Project Before You Machine
Imported PCB data is not locked. TrackMaker includes editing functions for correcting or adapting manufacturing information before machining begins.
Artwork Editing
Remove, move, rotate or modify graphical elements within imported PCB artwork where project corrections are required.
Drill Editing
Add, remove or relocate holes and change their diameters or assigned tool codes.
Outline & Cutout Editing
Modify or recreate the board outline and internal cutouts and add break-out tabs for board routing.
Design Rules Check Based on the Milling Tool
TrackMaker can check whether the selected milling tool can physically create the required isolation clearances. Detected violations are listed and highlighted in the PCB layout so the user can inspect the problem before machining. TrackMaker can also suggest an appropriate contouring mode for the detected condition.
Tool Database & Machining Parameters
TrackMaker includes a tool database for the main PCB machining operations. Tools can be added, removed and configured with their relevant machining parameters.
Different tools can be assigned to operations such as normal isolation milling, fine isolation, copper removal and board routing.
Strategy Based on Real Tools
Toolpath calculation takes the selected tool diameters into account, allowing TrackMaker to determine where a standard isolation tool can pass and where a finer tool is required.
Multiple tool types can therefore be combined within one PCB machining project.
Generate the Main PCB Machining Operations
Isolation Milling
Generate machining paths around tracks, pads and conductive areas to create electrical isolation.
Copper Removal
Define selected areas where additional copper should be removed from the PCB surface.
Drilling
Prepare drilling operations according to imported hole positions, diameters and assigned tools.
Board Routing
Prepare the external PCB outline and internal cutouts for final board routing.
Flexible Isolation Contouring
TrackMaker provides multiple contouring modes for preparing PCB isolation paths. Standard and fine isolation tools can be combined according to the available clearances within the design.
Additional contours can also be generated around selected pads and tracks where a wider isolated region is required.
Toolpath Optimization
Generated machining paths are sequenced to reduce unnecessary movements with the tool raised between individual machining paths.
Optimization is performed according to the tools used in the PCB machining project.
Selective Copper Removal
Copper does not have to be removed from the entire PCB. TrackMaker allows specific regions to be defined where additional copper clearing is required.
Different copper-removal strategies can be used according to the project geometry and selected tools.
Automatic Double-Sided Workflow
TrackMaker works with the factory-configured mirror geometry of the MIPEC 4MILL system for double-sided PCB machining. 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.
Move from Project Preparation to Production
Once the PCB has been prepared, TrackMaker converts the contours, drilling operations and board geometry into machining data and transfers the PCB into the production environment.
Position the Board
Place the prepared PCB on the virtual representation of the machine table before machining begins.
Rotate & Duplicate
Rotate or duplicate prepared PCBs to use the available laminate area according to the production task.
Step & Repeat
Produce multiple instances of the same prepared PCB using defined X and Y spacing.
Build and Inspect the Machining Sequence
Before machining, TrackMaker builds a tool list from the prepared production layout. Operations can be viewed according to board, layer or tool.
This allows the user to inspect how the PCB will be processed and which machining tools are involved.
Control What Gets Machined
Individual boards, layers or machining operations can be suppressed when they should not be included in the current production job.
Visibility can be adjusted independently, helping the user inspect specific machining data without changing the production sequence.
Direct Control of the MIPEC 4MILL
TrackMaker does not stop at CAM preparation. The same environment is used to communicate with and operate the connected MIPEC 4MILL machine.
Machine Position
Monitor X, Y and Z coordinates and move the machine from the TrackMaker interface.
Spindle Control
Monitor spindle status and control spindle operation directly from the software.
PCB Position Check
Move to the PCB origin, center or board limits to verify the planned position before machining.
Test Line Milling
Mill a test line before production to verify engraving depth and the resulting isolation width.
Machine Status
Monitor machine connection, readiness, movement and emergency state from the software.
Production Control
Start the prepared milling and drilling operations from the same software used for PCB preparation.
Automatic Tool-Change Workflow
On compatible MIPEC machines equipped with an automatic tool changer, TrackMaker also manages the tool-change sequence. The 4MILL300ATC uses a 12-position tool magazine with the required machining tools assigned before production begins.
TrackMaker at a Glance
| Primary purpose | PCB CAM preparation and direct machine control for MIPEC 4MILL systems |
|---|---|
| PCB artwork input | Gerber RS-274X and supported RS-274D data |
| Drilling input | Excellon drilling data |
| PCB project types | Single-sided and double-sided PCB projects |
| Machining preparation | Isolation milling, copper removal, drilling, PCB outline routing and internal cutouts |
| Manufacturability check | Design Rules Check based on selected isolation milling tool and available clearances |
| Editing | PCB artwork, drilling data, board outlines, cutouts and generated machining contours |
| Production layout | Board positioning, rotation, duplication and Step & Repeat |
| Machine control | Direct control of compatible MIPEC 4MILL systems from TrackMaker |
| CNC programming | No manual G-code programming required for the normal PCB production workflow |
TrackMaker in the MIPEC PCB Prototyping Workflow
TrackMaker is used during Project Preparation and continues directly into PCB Milling & Drilling through its integrated machine-control environment.
The result is a connected workflow from PCB manufacturing data to the physical prototype without requiring a separate CNC programming environment.
PCB Data → TrackMaker → 4MILL → Physical PCB
Import the manufacturing data, prepare and verify the machining operations, position the board and produce the physical PCB within the integrated MIPEC software workflow.
TrackMaker FAQ
From PCB Data to a Physical Prototype
TrackMaker connects PCB manufacturing data directly with MIPEC 4MILL hardware as part of the complete in-house PCB prototyping workflow.