1. General Information

Below, we outline the necessary files, formats, contents, and transmission methods required for printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. We handle all received materials confidentially, whether they are related to a request for a quote or ordered products.

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2. PCB Files and Other Technical Information

For PCB manufacturing, we only need Gerber and drilling files, as well as information on technical specifications, such as material (e.g., FR4 or something else), board thickness, copper weights, desired finish, layer structure, solder mask type/color, etc.

 

The Gerber files typically include the following layers:

• Single board conductor pattern

• Solder mask

• Component marking

• Solder paste

• Outline

Drill files can be in Gerber format or as CNC files. Additionally, information about panelization and stencils is needed if they are included in the delivery (see sections 3 and 6).

 

We do not need circuit diagrams (schematics), bill of materials, assembly files, etc. In fact, it is recommended to exclude them, as they can significantly increase the size of the file package even when compressed, and sometimes component lists can contain information about specified suppliers or even prices.

 

It is advisable to compress all information for one type of PCB using a tool like WinZip before sending it to us. This ensures that no single file is left out, and it reduces the overall file size.

 

We can handle Gerber formats produced by any software:

• RS-274D + (aperture table must be included)

• RS-274X

 

Drill files:

• Excellon

• Sieb & Meyer

If drill sizes are not included in the drill file, a separate table with this information must be provided.

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3. Panelization

Panelization is a topic of its own. During the design phase, it is not always known who will ultimately assemble the board, so often the panel layout is omitted from the files entirely. Conversely, in the best-case scenario, especially in companies with their own design and production, the panel layout may be perfectly designed with breakaway holes and corner rounding.

 

We already have general guidelines in our registry for panelization by several contract manufacturers. Therefore, it is worth mentioning to which assembler the PCBs are going, so we can consider those requirements already during the quotation phase.

 

Note: The panel layout is only needed if the delivery is requested in an assembly-ready panel.

 

The panel layout should ideally include the following details:

• Panel outline dimensions

• Edges of individual boards and the panel drawn with outer dimensions given in millimeters

• Panel corner rounding (if required)

• Shapes of individual PCBs (outline is sufficient)

• Spacing between individual boards

• Milling or V-groove, or both

• It is recommended to indicate relative distances with dimension lines (mm)

• Break points (perforations) with holes between individual boards, or if these cannot be drawn and the work is left to the manufacturer, at least information on where they should not be placed

• Fiducials (alignment marks) ideally drawn on the correct side and in place

 

4. Specifications

A specification page should indicate the technical characteristics of the PCB if the corresponding information is not already included in the Gerbers. A recommended design practice is to save the Gerbers in their own separate folder under the project and add a separate Excel, Word, or PDF specification page with supplementary information for the PCB.

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The specification page should ideally include at least the following information:

• Laminate material

• Board thickness

• Copper weights in the surface and inner layers

• Solder finish

• Mask and marking color

• Layer structure (build-up)

• Special panelization requirements

• Marking preferences (UL, manufacturer, production week, etc.)

 

5. File Modification

We do not modify files without the customer's approval. The need for modifications is detected during the inspection phase in our CAM department, where we aim to identify potential issues related to the technical implementation and manufacturability of the PCB.

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Customers may also encounter situations where they want to modify existing Gerbers. For example, changing hole sizes, adding or breaking conductor traces, or altering the board outline. It is possible for us to make manual changes directly to the Gerbers, but it is not recommended. Often, these changes are not updated in the designer's files.

 

When planning the next version, previous "on-the-fly" changes may not be considered in the new version. This only leads to unnecessary costs and delays in design and assembly, slowing down the product's ramp-up.

 

Changes should always be made through the design process so that they are permanently reflected in the latest version of the documentation.

 

6. Version Control

Version control is important throughout the product's lifecycle. This ensures that different versions remain separate, preventing confusion, and that the correct version is used in production. Many people do not know that every PCB manufacturer produces slightly more boards than the order quantity. The reason is the boards rejected during quality control. This way, the ordered quantity is directly met in the delivery.

 

As a result, if no boards are rejected from the production batch, the extra OK boards are stored and usually shipped with the next batch. However, this is only if the boards haven't aged too much, for example, in terms of the finish.

 

When the version clearly changes, these earlier stock boards are discarded.

It is recommended that the version change be reflected in the board name or code. A very simple and effective method is to use sequential numbering in the board name, for example:
- Rev 1.0, Rev 1.1, Rev 1.2, etc.
- ver A, ver B, ver C, etc.
- V1, V2, V3, etc.

 

Naturally, if the product changes completely, the code should be changed, for example, from 1088123 to 1088124.

 

7. Stencils

For stencil manufacturing, we need the paste layer in Gerber format.

 

Additionally, the following information is required for stencil manufacturing:

• Material (if other than stainless steel)

• Stencil thickness

• Panel layout or equivalent information (if not already panelized in the Gerbers)

• Instructions for reducing aperture sizes (if not made in a 1:1 ratio with the Gerbers)

• Number and location of fiducials (alignment marks)

• Whether the fiducials should be partially or fully punched

• Quick-mount hole file (or type information for the paste machine frame)

• Whether the stencil should undergo electrolytic polishing (for fine pitch)

• Any other special features