oops, I should have read the responses before I posted (you'd think I would have learned that by now, eh?). For some reason I misread your question and assumed you were looking for the original CAD database (board layout). Next time I will drink my coffee FIRST, then visit TechNet! Now that I re-read your post, you are referring to CAD data as what I would call manufacturing data We usually make two different data packages: 1) FAB - Gerbers, Drill, Netlist, Drawing, etc. 2) ASSY - BOM, Placement Data, Test Points, etc Now I'm wondering if someone sent you the wrong set, or an incomplete set. You definitely need that "pick-and-place" data for assembly. I wouldn't try to generate component locations from Gerber data! onward thru the fog, Jack . On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:19:17 -0600, Jack Olson <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Oh, I didn't write that. I've had that "History" for probably 20 years now, don't >know who wrote it. In fact, the only place I've ever seen it published was in >Volt Magazine, and I'd bet very few of you have ever heard of THAT one. >Hey, is anyone else a member of the ICDA? (International Circuit Designer's >Association)? now I'm getting nostalgic... > >as for your questions: >1) the only CAD file we have ever been asked for is an ASCII database so the >fabricator could extract IPC-D-356 netlist info (Mentor couldn't export that file >format until recently) >2) The manufacturing data should contain everything necessary to fabricate >the board accurately, I don't know any reason to supply more, unless by "CAD >data " you mean something like ODB++ format >3) I don't think so. That would be quite a service. Let me know if there is >anyone who can "reverse engineer" a database from Gerbers. They could make >quite a good living doing that, I would imagine >4) none that I know of. > >If you have a specific problem you are trying to solve, you might check with >Router Solutions or someone similar (CAMCAD?) who has a lot of experience >with translators. > >good luck, >Jack > > >. >On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:11:34 -0500, Amol Kane ><[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >>Dear Technetters, >>Hopefully this e-mail with get people going on technet again. >> >>Some brief background before I ask questions. We use Aegis to write our >process instructions and machine programs and it is infinitely easy working with >CAD files (not to be confused with Autocad drawings) as compared to digitizing >Gerber files. CAD files have to contain the Part Number, Package Information, >Component Reference ID and location coordinates, along with the board >outline. Gerbers are used for ordering wave pallets, stencils etc. So, >> >> >>1. How many people specifically ask customers to provide CAD files along >with Gerber. >> >>2. What is involved in generation of CAD files (any special software, extra >steps etc) >> >>3. Are any of the board houses capable of providing CAD files if the >customer only gives gerber files >> >>4. What software can one use to generate CAD files if I have Gerber >> >>Jack, >>How come there was no mention of Tesla in your electricity piece? Very >hilarious by the way! >> >> >>Thanks! >>Amol >> --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------