Gerber Data

Lightfoot · 2010-07-02 20:25

Which files contain data whether a through hole is plated or not, the NC drill or the Gerber?

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Leon · 2010-07-02 21:03

It has to be in the Gerber file. The drill file only contains coordinates and drill sizes.

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Leon Heller
Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM

WBA Consulting · 2010-07-02 21:30

In documentation packages, it is also standard to have a fab drawing that will define which holes are plated and which are not. The gerber will define where the copper is to exist on the layers, but will not show how the layers are connected even if a hole is drilled through copper on each layer.

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Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
PowerTwig Dual Output Power Supply Module
My Prop projects: Reverse Geo-Cache Box, Custom Metronome, Micro Plunge Logger

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) · 2010-07-02 21:49

In the CAD package I use (CADINT) two drill files can be produced: one for plated holes and the other for unplated holes. If your CAD system produces only one drill file, you will have to specify which ones are plated and which ones are not in your Drill & Trim drawing. Some fab houses can recognize unplated holes as any hole without a surrounding pad.

Sort answer: it depends upon your CAD package and upon the fabber who makes your boards.

-Phil

Lightfoot · 2010-07-02 21:56

I am asking PCBCART to make some boards for me. The boards contain holds that are both plated (all vias and DIP ICs) and not plated (fastener holes). I am concerned that with the Gerber and drill files they ask for are not sufficient to denote the difference. I use Diptrace as a cad package. I have the board and all Gerber/drill files PCBCART wants for the fabrication job. What will happen with my board?

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Post Edited (Lightfoot) : 7/2/2010 10:02:24 PM GMT

Erik Friesen · 2010-07-02 22:08

I don't know how their software(PCBCART) denotes the difference, but if your hole has a pad, I am guessing it will be plated. If you exported from diptrace and let it do it automatically, don't worry, it will work.

WBA Consulting · 2010-07-02 22:27

I just loaded up your gerber and the DipTrace file (I also use DipTrace). The data is correct, but as Phil mentioned, it will depend on how the fab house interprets holes drilled on top of copper pads. The default I have seen is that the hole will be plated. I have a design being made right now that was done in DipTrace in the same manner as your file and the holes are plated where I expected. (on your board for example, I would expect the two AC and GND holes to be plated through). As a confirming effort, you could make a fab drawing to go along with the gerber package. Attached is a sample of what a drill chart would look like in a fab drawing. The chart defines drill diameter and whether or nto they are plated. Each one has a symbol (letter) that can be seen over the appropriate pads in the file.

In DipTrace, you can also export separate drill files by checking/unchecking the "Plated Through" and/or "Non-plated" options in the Export N/C Drill dialog box.

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Andrew Williams
WBA Consulting
PowerTwig Dual Output Power Supply Module
My Prop projects: Reverse Geo-Cache Box, Custom Metronome, Micro Plunge Logger

Post Edited (WBA Consulting) : 7/2/2010 10:37:40 PM GMT

Gerber Data

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