(these normally are related to the drawing of all copper,
- Gerber RS-274X (Extended Gerber with embedded apertures - developed by Gerber Systems)
- ODB++ (OpenDataBase++ - developed by GenCAM)
-
For on demand service we also accept:
- Gerber RS-274D (Standard Gerber with a separate aperture file - developed by Gerber Systems)
- Eagle .BRD file (CAD-data from CADsoft now Farnell)
- other CAD
- ODB++ (OpenDataBase++ - developed by GenCAM)
- Gerber format RS-274X or RS-274D (only true drill data, not a drill map)
- DPF (only true drill data, not a drill map)
- Excellon (1 or 2) + appropriate tool list (ideally embedded)
- Sieb&Meyer + appropriate tool list (ideally embedded)
1. Converting CAD data into production data may lead to errors which we cannot cross-check under 100% control
2. It is impossible to have legal copies of every CAD PCB design package in the market or specific software
Gerber has been the industry-standard format for PCB manufacture for many years, it is clear enough and unambiguous. It can be out put by every PCB design package.
You can check the result of this out put process viewing the generated
1. Preferred data format is ODB++ over all
Second choice formats are:
- Extended Gerber (RS-274X) for Artwork
- Excellon1 + appropriate tool list (ideally embedded) for Drilling
for automated analysis reasons the PCB saving service only accepts ODB++ or Extended Gerbers (RS-274X)
2. Provide us ONLY the data files needed for production (drawing
It is required to not provide any other un-helpfull additional file (such as original CAD data, Graphicode GWK files, PDF files, Word files (doc), Excel files (
It is also kindly suggested to check generated output data (
3. Appreciated are clear and easy to understand file naming, trying to avoid long filenames ( this is helpful to be sure that we can
Example
Good = Pcb1108r01.top or 1105278cutop.gbr
Bad = cs5678.gbr or pcb45893r1L2.gbr ( there is no indication about function) or code25897r01lev3toplayercopper.gbr (too long name)
4. Do not scale your drawing. 1/1 (100%) data will permit
5. Appreciated data are gerber files with no apertures with a zero-size (size = 0.00mm or inches).
6. Use only one unit ( mm or mls ) in all data files.
7. Use the same offset for all your Gerber layers and drill data ( use no any offset will be appreciated): this means that we are not obliged to do moving
8. Make sure that the data are seen from top to bottom through the PCB. DO NOT mirror (or reflect) any data layer – image or drill: this is
9. If data format
Example
Good = use a 10 mil resolution to draw your board in your CAD PCB design software, then use a 1mil output resolution for your output data
Bad = use a 1 mil resolution to draw your board in your CAD PCB design software, then use a 1mil output resolution for your output data
10. Flashed pads should be used as often as possible in the Gerber files: this reduces the risk to have not a correct electrical test process.
11. Put some small text (board identification, company name, etc...) in the copper layers. Make sure the text complies with the readability rules. This will reduce the possibility to do mirroring errors.
12. An aperture list for Gerber output which only shows the apertures used in the design will be appreciated during CAD/CAM operation.
13. The board outline should be included on all layers: this will enable to properly align all layers in case of an offset problem.