Luminous output their Gerber files without analysis
or question. The Gerber file, not to their knowledge, had a specified decimal accuracy, but the drill file
required a different decimal accuracy.
The Gerber files were sent to fabrication...
- Drill files created with different decimal accuracy from Gerber files
- Fabricator holds up bare board production due to misalignment of drills on artwork pads
The fabricator would NOT build the boards due to their CAM350 system flagging the discrepancy
as mis-aligned drills.
Rules and Requirements Come Hand-in-Hand
Verifying the design complies with both internal design rules and PCB fabrication
guidelines will ensure successful board production. Fabrication Design Rule
Checking is vital to this process. Implementing this will prevent:
- Accidental pad/drill misalignment caused by limitations of CAD system
- Altering of artwork to meet fabrication requirements, changing design intent
- Discontinuity in finished PCB when using multiple fabricators for prototype and production
- Insufficient clearance from drilled hole to copper on high voltage layers
The Result
After much wasted time disputing the Gerber files, the fabricator finally
used CAM350 to show Luminous the issue. CAM350 identified the problem quickly and easily. Luminous's claim
that the Gerbers were fine was quickly negated.
Objectively solving the issue, the fabrication facility saved both themselves and Luminous money
by avoiding building bad boards. This facility still services Luminous.
In Conclusion
Luminous is now in serious evaluation of CAM350 as part of their post layout verification process.
