I don't know what software you are using for PCB Design (?) but you should be able to improve your outputs no end by doing the following:

1) Output a "centroid" file for your component positions as you correctly say.  This should list the component reference, x ordinate, y ordinate, rotation of footprint, footprint name, side of board for assembly.  It should be in CSV format.  This is what your assembler should use for creating their placement programs.

2) Output either IDF or STEP for from your PCB design package if you are able to, for your Mechanical CAD Engineer.

Many PCB Design packages these days will enable you to output STEP files and enable you to link a STEP file to the footprint in your library.  If you can't then IDF format will output two files, IDB and IDL.  The IDB file has the board outline and the IDL contains the components.  If you import just as is your Mech Eng will see footprint names in the IDL file which he can match to parts already drawn up in his 3D CAD. Otherwise if you have component heights in your library he will see a square block of the required component height.

I am really glossing over this quickly here as I don't have time to write in depth, but Solidworks with CircuitWorks will let you link a library of PCB footprints to 3D models, and this is very powerful when used with the IPC-7351 and IPC-7251 footprint naming standards - with component heights in the footprint name.  Go to PCB Libraries and read up on these!

Medium range packages such as Pulsonix, Altium Designer etc. will let you link a STEP file for a component to the footprint in the library so that you can output a 3D step file with all the parts already on there, in position, for your Mech Eng.

Regards,

James

James Head BEng CID+ MIIE MIET
Senior PCB CAD Engineer
Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited
2 Blacklands Way
Abingdon Business Park
ABINGDON
OX14 1DY
Telephone: 01235 557700 extension 289
Fax: 07092024504
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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