Jack, there are standard flats sizes ranging all the way up to 22" by 20". I know there are even larger sizes, but they are not "industry standard" sizes, so to speak.
A good PWB fab house is very willing to help you with proper layout to optimize the number of blanks that can be taken from a flat, as well as depanelization schemes. Keep in mind you don't need to be tied into any one depanelization method, but a combination can also work well. For example, routings with a score line passing perpendicular through the end of the routings.

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack Olson
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 9:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] FAB: panelization sanity check

Greetings,

This is a very basic question, but I'm trying to design a board size that will get the most yield out of a standard 12x18 fabrication panel. It's a 6-layer rectangle with nothing fancy (8/8, 12mil holes, ENIG), but we want routed (not v-scored in this case) and we want 6 boards per panel.

So I have always used the guideline of 1 inch clear all around the panel edge, (10 x 16 to working space), and 100mil between boards for routing, so I am looking at something like 4.95" x  5.26", right?

But in this case even 50mils extra would help me, so I'm wondering how much I can push the envelope and still have it manufacturable by ANY competent supplier.

Can two of the panel edges be less than 1 inch?

Do I have ANY wiggle room?

Jack (aka "the new guy")


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