1.2 Scope of Data/Data Formats

PCB Data and Documentation

We produce the printed circuit board on the basis of the data you provide as a customer. Therefore, this customer data serves as a specification.

Scope of Data

Bearing in mind the principle of “as little as possible, as much as necessary”, you should provide us with the following information:
  • Information on the PCB topography, e.g., the course of the conductors or the position of the solder and SMD pads
  • Drill files (example format: Excellon or Sieb&Meyer)
  • Specification of product-relevant features (e.g., material thickness, copper cladding)
  • Information on deviations from the customer standard
  • Drawing with details of all mechanical processing operations (scoring lines, countersinks, cut-outs, etc.)
By providing the most precise information possible, you will avoid time-consuming queries and create the ideal conditions for starting production quickly.

Data Formats

In principle, you can send us any commonly used data format. However, the majority of our customers like working with the following formats because they are so quick and easy to process:
Data formatsAdditional information is required for some data formats
Gerber RS-274-X---
Gerber X2---
ODB++---
DPF---
IPC-2581---
Gerber RS-274-DAperture description
HPGL/DXFSpecification of the pin widths
EagleSpecification of the Eagle version, layer allocation list, indication of the layers to be output

Frequently asked questions

Are SMD (solder-mask-defined) pads commonly used? How should these be included in the data if the PCB features both SMD pads and classic non-solder mask defined pads (NSMD, sometimes also known as copper-/metal-defined pads)?

Solder-mask defined (SMD) and non-solder mask defined (NSMD) pads are both common. It is up to the layouter to decide which type should be used, with the choice being determined by the layout data of the solder mask. In the case of NSMD pads, there should be an opening of at least 50 µm in the solder mask around the pad. By contrast, in the case of SMD pads, the solder mask should have an overlap measuring at least 20 µm in width all the way around in the border area of the copper pad so that one part of the copper pad is effectively covered by the solder mask.

Is ODB++ now a common data format or should preference be given to the classic Gerber data format?

Yes, ODB++ is a common data format and can be easily processed as an alternative to Gerber.

In what format should the board outline be provided?

Preferably, it should be supplied as Gerber data with a matching drawing.

Keywords

  • Gerber data
  • ODB++
  • IPC-2581
  • Drill data
  • Board outline
  • DXF
  • PCB data
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