Hi Steve,
Does this particular fab shop have photoplotting and CAM equipment? It almost
sounds like they are doing a manual step and repeat!
The process you describe sounds workable, but I can see where misunderstanding
could cause a problem. A more proactive solution whould be for you to generate a
drawing of some sort that shows exactly how you want the step and repeat done.
This one drawing could then be sent to both the pwb fab shop and the stencil
shop.
This is what we have to do on those designs which we cannot genetate a complete
panelization gerber for because of the antiquated CAD system they were generated
on.
Regards,
Charlie B.
Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum." <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond to
[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
cc: (bcc: Charles Barker/US/I-O INC)
Subject: Re: [TN] Panelized Gerber Files...
In a message dated 11/9/99 6:43:33 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Steve,
>
> As you have described it there should be no problem. Maybe the
> message is getting a little jumbled through the purchasing
> department, or the fab shops sales department. Another option for
> you is to supply a single image solder paste file and have the fab
> shop supply you with just the gerbers for the stepped paste file.
>
> John Parsons
> Circuit graphics Ltd.
Hi again!
I'm gonna respond to a couple of emails with this one. Matthias, no problem!
That recipe was pretty good huh? Not my concoction, but it was up on the
NET...great to glaze hams with! I've tried it! (now we got everybody
wondering...hehehehe)
Anyways, back to the TechNet banter. I DID talk to the fab vendor, and that's
where I got the response about the manual step-and repeat stuff and that it
would be SO MUCH extra work to send me ALL the layers...this is where my
ignorance comes in, is it really extra work? My limited knowledge wouldn't
think so...but what do I know?
I asked for the whole Gerber (all layers) because I want to do intrusive
reflow on two SIP connectors that will have a LCD display plugged into
it...that's the only PTH on the board...we've already spec'd out that the
plastic for the connectors can take the reflow heat. Problem is, the PTH
stuff ain't in the solder paste layer...neither are the fiducials, which are
on the component side layer (they get etched when the SMT pads and first
layer traces get etched)...that can be blamed on the designer, he should
always include fiducials in the solderpaste layer since most current printers
have vision and use fiducials that need to be etched into the stencil. But if
I have ALL the layers, the designers "faux pax" it isn't a problem...
My stencil vendor can merge all this stuff into my stencil file, if I have
all the layers to give to him. But it's like pulling teeth to get all the
gerber layers from the fab vendor... and I still don't understand why. If
there's anybody from a stencil house reading this who get fabs sent to them
to do a panelized stencil (most stencil vendors have a small $15.00 charge to
do this), or others who have had to send a panel to get their stencil made,
speak-up! I don't think this is a uncommon occurrence at all...
This happens a lot!!! My question is, why don't fab vendors that do a
panelization for a customer want to give-up the panelized gerber files?
I've had to do this in the past (send a finished panel along with a single
image gerber)...this is not the first time.
-Steve Gregory-
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