[Pcb2gcode-devel] Question about drilling with height probing

[Bryan P. <pol...@um...>]

Hello,

I am very pleased with pcb2gcode. I have one issue I am trying to figure 
out.

I use etch_z_adjust to take the output gcode files from pcb2gcode and 
create versions that perform automatic height-probing prior to milling. 
I have a simple mill with no tool wheel and since I don't want to put 
holes in my work surface I prefer to drill out vias and pins with a 
separate drill press. I am able to get much better holes if I make small 
pilot holes with the mill where I need to drill.

If I weren't using height-probing I could simply execute the back 
milling gcode with EMC2 and then open up the drill file without unhoming 
the machine and mill out small pilots for drilling. Unfortunately, since 
the drill file is separate the program etch_z_adjust would make the 
drill file re-probe, which is impossible once the traces are cut out. 
Thus, I am in a situation where the pilot holes are not cut using 
height-probing at all and some are too deep and some are too shallow 
(don't even touch the board).

This leads me to my question. Is there a way to make pcb2gcode include 
the drilling (with the milldrill option) gcode in the "back" gcode file, 
rather than making it its own file? Perhaps this is a silly question and 
I apologize if it is. If not, can I just copy the body of the drill file 
into the end of the back file? Thank you for your help.

Bryan