Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1411055
48 PCB007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2021 whatever file format they ask for from a cus- tomer, as long as the process is simpler than the current process. Make it easier for your customers, and they'll follow the path of least resistance. We also asked, "What is the primary format for design data that you hand off to fabrica- tors?" Gerber was the leader of the pack, by far (Figure 2). In other research conducted outside this sur- vey, we found that—while functional and reli- able—Gerber's multi-file format, and an involved process to generate the file set, were commonly mentioned as challenges by users. Yet, for all the talk about the newer "intelligent" data formats, and their simpler interface, the 50-year-old Ger- ber file format continues to dominate. is begs the question: Are customers enforcing the Ger- ber status quo, or are the fabricators? As an aside, it is interesting to note that while the "other" responses are a very small per- centage, films are overwhelmingly represent- ed. is is quite a reminder that old methods sometimes die hard indeed. When we went deeper into the topic and asked what the greatest challenges are fac- ing designers when preparing design data for handoff to fabrication, respondents over- whelmingly cited these issues: • Preserving data integrity: 24% • Seamless data transfer: 23% • Notes and documentation: 17% • Complex file set management: 15% ese responses account for 79% of all chal- lenges identified. Not only that, but all four categories can be further grouped as "Manag- ing the Data Package." "Manufacturer Request," at 8%, was the next category of significance, with 12% or so mis- cellaneous responses. at users even have these topics on their mind suggests that the data package creation process, as it exists today, is error-prone and difficult. It is our opinion, for example, that, if we were to ask this question of PDF file for- mat users sending documents to the printer, that none of these concerns would even show up in the survey results. A well-craed export and production process eliminates these wor- ries, as PDF document printing shows. ere is, therefore, still room to improve designer/ OEM experiences with design data transfer to manufacturing. Figure 2.