[log in to unmask] writes > I am interested in PWB fabrication panel sizes for utilization >calculating. >I would like to know what is the standard, favorite, best suited, >or practical for calculating fabrication utilization. >But as some of you know with the range of PWB sizes, not everything >fits a 18 X 24. > What are some of the various used in the industry with success >for through put. 14 X 24?? > >rich Hi Rich, If you are standardising your production panel sizes, it is important to ensure they cut out of a standard sheet size with no waste. The supplier will charge for any waste by inflating the panel price so you may as well take the material. Find out what sheet sizes are available from your laminate supplier and then you can work out which panel sizes can be cut from them. There are many permutations. For multi-layer panels, there are considerably more types of material thicknesses and cladding so you do have to limit the number of standard panels. Also, tooling is expensive so you don't want to have too many options. Calculate the optimum production panel size for a given job, this must include the separation between circuits, and the borders for plating and tooling. Then check what standard panels are available to suit. If you select the best standard panel for a given job, but find that there is a significant amount of waste material, you are better off removing that waste before production otherwise you are adding material value to scrap. I estimated as a rule of thumb that it was worth removing the waste material if it was more than 2" on length or 1.5" on width. ie the cost of cutting the panels was offset by the saving in material cost eg dry film, solder mask ink, plating or etching chemicals etc,. The main point is that the optimum panel size should be selected for efficient production, with any significant waste removed at the outset. There is no need to be tied solely to the standard panel sizes for production. Best Regards -- Paul Gould [log in to unmask] Isle of Wight,UK *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To subscribe/unsubscribe send a message <to: [log in to unmask]> * * with <subject: subscribe/unsubscribe> and no text in the body. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************