Gerber files for Manufacturing Instructions?

[bbeddow]

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

 

[buzzp]

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.

 

[nbucska]

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>

 

[SteveSmith]

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:

http://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&quot; thick FR4 5.875&quot; x 4.00&quot; 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

http://www.pcblibraries.com

and look at the files in the download area.

Regards,

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

http://www.stacoenergy.com