Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1417991
52 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2021 Over the years, the 274X format has under- gone revisions, improving the format and func- tions. e most current upgrade to the Gerber format has been the addition of the PCB meta- data, giving the data more intelligence than the simple image representation. is cur- rent intelligent format is known as X2 and was developed in 2015 by Karel Tavernier, Ludek Bruckner, and omas Weyn of Ucamco, the PCB division of Barco. Gerber may not be the only game in town for designers these days, but the format has been in widespread use for years and it is worth- while to have an understanding of how Gerber files provide value. Before You Convert to Gerber, Design Rule Check You can prevent many issues by using the design rule check (DRC) tool in your CAD soware. If you've properly configured the DRC tool, it answers questions that would oen send a quote request back for more information. Are the layers all there? Are the spaces big enough? Do you have more drill files than copper layers? How are your toler- ances? ese answers provide a good foundation for manufacturability, but just because your so- ware will let you design a board in a certain way, that doesn't mean your fabricator can build it. ink about manufacturability in terms of fab- ricator capability as you perform your design rule check before converting to Gerber. Check Your Gerber Files Converting to a Gerber format provides a more holistic, simplified view of your design. Here are some categorized items you can more easily check for and make changes where needed when viewing Gerber files. Minimum Feature Size When you scrutinize minimum feature size and question what the DRC permits, you can: • Find unintentional neck downs • Locate places where traces just barely touch pins • Discover breaks in traces or where ends just barely touch • See where pads are too small • Eliminate small traces or features that can needlessly drive up costs • Validate minimum drill size, locating unnecessarily small drill holes that can also significantly increase costs Feature Spacing Solve clearance problems before they occur. Upon viewing the Gerber file, you'll have a sharper view of spacing types and be better able to recognize clearance problems for: • Trace/trace • Pad/pad • Copper/copper • Drill/drill • Drill/copper • Pad/pad Look at Each Layer is is really the only way to visually confirm each is correct. And by doing so, you acceler- ate the quote process and avoid cost overruns during production of the boards. Before sub- mitting your quote request, consider: • Does each layer import at correct scale and size? • Is the number of copper layers correct? • Are the silkscreen and solder mask layer counts accurate? • Did the drill file read as intended, as a single file or multiple files? If not, why? • Was the drill file updated at the same time as Gerber files? • Do drill holes line up with artwork? • Were all area fills refreshed just prior to generating Gerber files? • Did you intend to have potentially expensive blind or buried vias?