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Creating Gerbers from Eagle — Parallax Forums

Creating Gerbers from Eagle

william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
edited 2008-04-24 05:13 in General Discussion
Hi,

Anybody knows the best and correct steps to create Gerber files from an Eagle BRD file?

How many files should the final output be?
Why are there so many types and versions of Gerber files?
Which type should I create?
How to check that your Gerber files are correctly created?

Thanks.

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Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2008-04-23 06:51
    You need a Gerber file for each layer, plus solder mask Gerbers for the top and bottom layers, and a silk screen Gerber for the top layer. You also need a drill file (Excellon).

    I always use the RS-274-X format. Every PCB supplier can handle it (it includes the photo-plot apertures, unlike RS-274-D).

    There are several Gerber viewers available, I use GC-Prevue. A free version is available.

    Leon

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    Post Edited (Leon) : 4/23/2008 7:00:05 AM GMT
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2008-04-23 07:43
    Your required Geber files depend entirely on who you use to manufacture boards. Geber supports machinery from several different manufacturers and has evolved over several different versions.

    I sent some Geber files to China in order to get my Canbus boards made. The jobber then told me what I was lacking and I had to contact Eagle to determine what they wanted and how to create it.

    It isn't really a big deal, but does cause production delays the first time around. It is just that there are several version of Geber and the fabricator may have old software. Eagle will generate all the proper files, but in some cases the extension of the file name has to be changed.

    So, the general process is:
    1. get quotes for boards and ask them which version of Gerber and what files they want.
    2. attempt to generate all of these yourself.
    3. review the documentation and contact Eagle for support if you cannot get everything done yourself.
    4. send files to the vendor for verification prior to production
    5. confirm the images that are returned to you are exactly what you want as you are responsible for all errors and omissions.

    Some of the files are dependent of specific machinery. The drilling files are one example and you may have to adjust from inches to metric sizes. Also, you may have specified drill sizes that are not available. These need to be swapped out with what the fabricator can provide.

    In my case, the boards came back electrically perfect, but my printed overlays were a bit messed up because I didn't carefully review them. Larger boards obviously are harder to check, so go slow.

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  • ColeyColey Posts: 1,116
    edited 2008-04-23 08:01
    Hi William

    I use Eagle CAD and have my boards produced by PCBCart, I also use GC Prevue to check the gerbers.

    There is a short tutorial on how to produce the gerbers here it is an easy process to follow...

    www.interq.or.jp/japan/se-inoue/e_eagle44.htm

    It worked for me!!

    I have to agree with Kramer, always get a quote first.


    Regards,

    Coley

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  • william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
    edited 2008-04-23 08:57
    Thanks a million everybody.

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  • StarManStarMan Posts: 306
    edited 2008-04-23 16:31
    I also use EAGLE and PCBCart and I just send them the EAGLE file.· They produce the gerbers and email me a pdf for review.· This is all after the online quoting.· I've done this numerous times now and I have gotten great results.

    I haven't found any company that comes close to competing on price compared·to PCBCart.

    Chris I.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2008-04-23 16:37
    I use PCB Pool quite a lot. They accept most PCB file formats including Pulsonix, which I use, and Eagle. They charge more for Gerbers, because it involves them in a bit more work.

    Leon

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  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2008-04-24 05:13
    Plenty of good advice here already, but I will second it. I use Eagle as well for my design needs. I believe SparkFun has a tutorial or a .cam you can download that will help you produce gerbers for your project. What Gerbers you need may depend on your manufacturer. Double check and certainly allow time to work out the kinks on your first run.
    Besides the gerbers, you may need to look into the design rules that a manufacturer has. Different PCB manufacturers have different size tracks, drills, spacing, etc. Setup your design rules so they are right so you don’t get delayed by having to redo your file.

    I use PCBCart. Great service and prices! I have produced several orders with them and I have corresponded with them on several topics via e-mail and chat. I vouch for their good services and prices. Yes, I also second that PCBCart can take Eagle files, but I don't use that service. I prefer to make the gerber files myself and double check them. I have used various viewers. My favorite at the moment is http://www.circuitpeople.com/ because it is easy and painless and provides great images of your board for checking them.

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