Printed Circuit Board Design Software - Are you Using the Gerber File Format?
Virtually all printed circuit board manufacturers accept Gerber files for quick-turn PCB fabrication. All major printed circuit board design software solutions (including Altium Designer, KiCad, OrCAD, and Autodesk Eagle) can export designs in the Gerber format. We’ve pulled together a list of commonly asked questions from PCB designers about printed circuit board design software, which should help you early on with your next PCB project.
Precisely what is the best software to choose if you are a beginner? How can you ensure your Gerber files are ready for quick-turn PCB fabrication? And what common mistakes do printed circuit board manufacturers see when assessing submitted PCB designs? - Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more!
Frequently Asked Questions About Using PCB Software
Q: What is the Gerber file format?
A: A Gerber file is the standard file format used by leading printed circuit board manufacturers around the globe. An exported design will have information about a PCB's copper traces, pads, vias, solder mask, and silkscreen. An Aa Gerber file contains everything a PCB manufacturer needs to produce a working PCB prototype.
Q: How can I create a Gerber file with the specific PCB design software that I use?
A: The Gerber file format is the industry standard format. This means that all of the most popular PCB design software solutions can read and, crucially, export in the Gerber file format. To export, you simply select the PCB layers you wish to include in your design (such as copper, mask, and silkscreen). An exported The Gerber package typically includes:
● The top and bottom copper layers
● All solder mask and silkscreen layers
● Necessary drilling instruction data
● The complete board outline
● Appropriate fabrication notes for the chosen PCB manufacturer
Q: What is the Gerber Viewer?
A: Gerber viewer is a software tool used by PCB designers and manufacturers. With Gerber Viewer, you can visually assess and verify a design to confirm that all the information is present and correct before sending it to a manufacturer. Specifically, Gerber Viewer allows you to:
● Preview individual PCB layers
● Check for common PCB design errors
● Measure distances and clearances between traces and components
● Confirm polarity and orientation of pads and components
Q: What are some of the common mistakes made with Gerber files?
A: Printed circuit board manufacturers often find missing layers, mislabeling files, and incomplete drill data with Gerber Files. Always use Gerber Viewer to check polarity and ensure board outlines are clearly defined and ready for quick-turn PCB fabrication. If you were unsure about your file, your chosen PCB manufacturer should be able to give it a final check over.
Q: What is quick-turn PCB fabrication?
A: Quick turn PCB fabrication is an accelerated service that rapidly produces PCB prototypes and full-scale production runs in days rather than weeks. Quicker fabrication allows PCB designers to test and refine their designs much quicker than they otherwise could, making it the perfect choice for startups.
Q: How does Bay Area Circuits support designers using PCB software ?
A: Leading PCB manufacturer Bay Area Circuits offers the InstantDFM™ tool to their customers. InstantDFM™ is a sophisticated tool that can automatically assess your Gerber files for manufacturability. It can deliver instant feedback to designers and also generate real-time quotes from just the Gerber file. InstantDFM™ acts as a design aid.
Q: How can I ensure my PCB design is ready for prototyping or full-scale manufacturing?
A: Begin by choosing the printed circuit board design software that is suitable for your experience level and your PCB project. Choose to partner with an experienced printed circuit board manufacturer such as Bay Area Circuits. They can offer technical support at every stage to ensure your PCB design is fully production-ready.
Start Your PCB Project Today With Bay Area Circuits
Bay Area Circuits in Fremont, California, has over four decades of experience in the PCB industry. Try BAC’s InstantDFM™ tool now: instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com
Or contact Bay Area Circuits directly at: 510-933-9000,
or email: support@bacircuits.com.
