> > Reading through the proteledaforum mailing list the past few days it has
> > come to my attention that most people supply gerber files to their PCB
> > manufacturer. This came as a bit of a surprise as I (and all
> > other designers
> > at our company) have always supplied the PCB file to our manufacturer
and
> > let them generate the gerber files. I thought this was how most people
did
> > it.
> > We never get calls to explain details and have had no incorrect PCBs
> > supplied, except for one occasion where 1.6mm thick stock was used
instead
> > of 0.8mm, this was clearly specified on our order/quote, and was
therefore
> > corrected at their expense.
> > So my question is why do it? What are the advantages of sending gerber
as
> > opposed to PCB files?
> >
> > Tom.
>
> In Australia, the dominance of Protel means that all local fabricators
> can deal with it.
>
> Overseas, there's a much higher probability that your chosen fabricator
> won't have a copy of Protel (and if they do, it often isn't the current
> release). So if your board's going to go out to quote by a number of
> fabricators, you need to supply gerbers unless you know that all of
> them can speak Protel.
>
> Having said that, I always supply the PCB file...
>
> John Haddy
If you are using Mechanical layers for special purposes, you may want the
contents of one or more of these to be included within one or more of the
Gerber files. If you produce these files yourself, rather than the PCB
manufacturer, there is a greater probability of having the PCBs manufactured
as you want these made.
You could provide a PCB file to the manufacturer instead (assuming they have
a copy of the same version of Protel that you used) together with
instructions on which Mechanical layers are to be included with each of the
Gerber files, but you are then assuming that the manufacturer will both see
and follow through with your instructions in this regard. IMO, that can be
risky...
Most of the time, Mechanical layers are not being used for special purposes,
and as such, what I have said is not a consideration in such circumstances.
But the provision of Gerber files to the PCB manufacturer is a time-honoured
practice, and does not require the manufacturer to have a copy of Protel.
I normally don't provide the PCB file, but do so when specifically
requested.
Regards,
Geoff Harland.
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