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Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

(OP)
Don't know which forum to ask this question so redirect me if this is not it. I'm currently researching software that will assist in creating PCB assembly instructions for the manufacturing line using gerber files created in OrCAD. I know very little about gerber files so I was hoping you guys could enlighten me, and if those would be useful for creating documentation.

Thanks,
Brian

RE: Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

Most PCB houses can work with gerber files generated from almost any layout program including Orcad. I don't believe you will find anything useful for documentation but I could be wrong. I have not used orcad since college so am not sure.
Depending on the complexity, I find that the silk screen is the best for documenting items for the assembly process. I put the internal pn in the silk as well as the rough outline of its size. Unless of course your talking about an automated process such as pick and place machines or SMT parts. Then I believe this data can be imported into the machine to reduce programming. You should check with the equipment mfg that you have and see what types of files you can download to the equipment.  

RE: Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

On most layout SW you may add an extra layer for documentation and remove its output file from the
package submitted to the PCB house and use it
only in-house.

<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

RE: Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

We always send a text file called Readme.1st that has general instructions:

Gerber & Drill Information - 213-0129 Rev. X5

Staco Energy Products Co.
301 Gaddis Blvd.
Dayton, OH 45403
Web site: www.stacoenergy.com
Fax: (937) 253-1723
P/O #: ?????????    Quanity: 15 pieces

Engineering Contact: Steve Smith   
Phone: (???) ???-??? Ext. ???       
E-mail: ????????????       

Purchasing Contact: ????????????
Phone: (???) ???-???? Ext. ???
E-mail: ??????????????

Board Info: Part No. 213-0129 Revision X5 (Preliminary Release)
4 Layer .062" thick FR4 5.875" x 4.00" UL 94V-0 Rated
    Layer 1 - Component Side
    Layer 2 - Ground Plane
    Layer 3 - Power Plane
    Layer 4 - Solder Side
1 oz. (.0014 thk.) finished copper minimum
Green SMOBC (both sides) per IPC-SM-840
Hot Air Solder Leveling  (HASL)
White Silkscreen on component side only

File Descriptions:
========================================================
213-0129.GTL                  Component Side Gerber File
213-0129.GP1              Ground Plane Gerber File
213-0129.GP2              Power Plane Gerber File
213-0129.GBL                  Solder Side Gerber File
213-0129.GTO                  Silkscreen Gerber File
213-0129.GTS                  Top Soldermask Gerber File
213-0129.GBS                  Bottom Soldermask Gerber File
213-0129.DRL                  EIA Drill File
213-0129.TXT                  ASCII Drill file
213-0129.IPC                  IPC-D-356A File
213-0129-Component Side.PLT   HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Ground Plane.PLT     HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Power Plane.PLT      HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Solder Side.PLT      HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Drill Drawing.PLT    HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Top Soldermask.PLT   HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Btm Soldermask.PLT   HPGL/2 Plot File
213-0129-Silkscreen.PLT       HPGL/2 Plot File

Gerber Data:
RS274X Embedded Aperatures
Plotter Type: Unsorted (Raster)
2.4 format, leading zeros suppressed
Unit: Inch
Image Size: X:8.411 Y:6.236

Aperatures (Ref. Only - aperatures are embedded in gerber files):
--------------------------------------------------------------
D10   RECTANGULAR        40.000     100.000       0.000 FLASH
D11   ROUNDED            38.000      38.000       0.000 FLASH
D12   ROUNDED             8.000       8.000       0.000 LINE
D13   ROUNDED            10.000      10.000       0.000 LINE
D14   ROUNDED            25.000      25.000       0.000 LINE
D15   ROUNDED            20.000      20.000       0.000 LINE
D16   ROUNDED            50.000      50.000       0.000 LINE
D17   ROUNDED            12.000      12.000       0.000 LINE
D18   ROUNDED             5.000       5.000       0.000 LINE
D19   ROUNDED            15.000      15.000       0.000 LINE
D20   RECTANGULAR       100.000     100.000       0.000 FLASH
D21   ROUNDED            60.000      60.000       0.000 FLASH
D22   RECTANGULAR        60.000      60.000       0.000 FLASH
D23   ROUNDED            75.000      75.000       0.000 FLASH
D24   ROUNDED           110.000     110.000       0.000 FLASH
D25   ROUNDED            40.000      40.000       0.000 FLASH
D26   ROUNDED            80.000      80.000       0.000 FLASH
D27   RECTANGULAR        75.000      75.000       0.000 FLASH
D28   ROUNDED            90.000      90.000       0.000 FLASH
D29   ROUNDED           120.000     120.000       0.000 FLASH
D30   RECTANGULAR        50.000     110.000       0.000 FLASH
D31   ROUNDED            48.000      48.000       0.000 FLASH
D32   ROUNDED            70.000      70.000       0.000 FLASH
D33   RECTANGULAR        70.000      70.000       0.000 FLASH
D34   ROUNDED            85.000      85.000       0.000 FLASH
D35   ROUNDED            50.000      50.000       0.000 FLASH
D36   RECTANGULAR        85.000      85.000       0.000 FLASH
D37   ROUNDED           150.000     150.000       0.000 FLASH
D38   RELIEF             65.000      65.000      35.000 FLASH  10.000  10.000 4
D39   RELIEF             77.000      77.000      47.000 FLASH  10.000  10.000 4
D40   RELIEF            106.000     106.000      76.000 FLASH  10.000  10.000 4
D41   ROUNDED           116.000     116.000       0.000 FLASH
D42   ROUNDED            95.000      95.000       0.000 FLASH
D43   ROUNDED            87.000      87.000       0.000 FLASH
D44   ROUNDED           205.000     205.000       0.000 FLASH
--------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------
NCDrill File Report For: 213-0129.PCB   29-Oct-2003   08:44:47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Layer Pair : TopLayer to BottomLayer
ASCII File : 213-0129.TXT  2.4 format, leading zeros suppressed
EIA File   : 213-0129.DRL

Tool  Finished Hole Size  Hole Count  Plated      Tool Travel
------------------------------------------------------------------
T1    20mil (0.508mm)        114       YES   36.19 Inch (919.22 mm)
T2    35mil (0.889mm)        665       YES   110.78 Inch (2813.74 mm)
T3    47mil (1.1938mm)       20        YES   10.18 Inch (258.67 mm)
T4    55mil (1.397mm)        2         YES    5.65 Inch (143.57 mm)
T5    76mil (1.9304mm)       14        YES   19.71 Inch (500.65 mm)
T6    125mil (3.175mm)       2         NO    11.38 Inch (288.96 mm)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals                       817            193.89 Inch (4924.81 mm)



WE also send either a PDF or HPGL/2 plot file of the board showing the over all dimensions, mounting hole locations and notes for manufacturing.  For an example of notes that you might want to put on a drawing, go to www.pcblibraries.com and look at the files in the download area.

Regards,

Steve Smith, C.I.D.
Product Engineer
Staco Energy Products Co.
www.stacoenergy.com

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