What info must be provided ordering a PCB?

[Slav Mit.]

Hello, everybody! I wander if someone can help me to arrange with a PCB
design departament what info must be provided when you order to design a
PCB? (a link to a site,containing such info, would be great). The list of
data inquired by PCB designers can not be too large, in my opinion.
Otherwise, nothing will be left to do for them.
The point is that all people have different opinions and I wanted to refer
to opinion of experineced members of this conference.
Thanks.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 16:28:53 +0300, the renowned "Slav Mit."
<MitrofanovVV@ircoc.vrn.ru> wrote:

Hello, everybody! I wander if someone can help me to arrange with a PCB
design departament what info must be provided when you order to design a
PCB? (a link to a site,containing such info, would be great). The list of
data inquired by PCB designers can not be too large, in my opinion.
Otherwise, nothing will be left to do for them.
The point is that all people have different opinions and I wanted to refer
to opinion of experineced members of this conference.
Thanks.

Why don't you post your best list so far and ask people to add to it

or comment on it?


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Leon]

The minimum will be the Gerber files for each copper layer and a drill
file. If you want silk screen and solder mask, you will have to supply
those, as well, for top and bottom, if you have components on both
sides.

Don't forget to include a board outline on the Gerber files, and don't
include the drill holes.

Leon

 

[Ian Bell]

Slav Mit. wrote:

Hello, everybody! I wander if someone can help me to arrange with a PCB
design departament what info must be provided when you order to design a
PCB? (a link to a site,containing such info, would be great). The list of
data inquired by PCB designers can not be too large, in my opinion.
Otherwise, nothing will be left to do for them.
The point is that all people have different opinions and I wanted to refer
to opinion of experineced members of this conference.
Thanks.

Are you talking about someone else doing the actual PCB layout or about
someone making PCBs from your own layout?

Ian

 

[qrk]

On Fri, 16 Dec 2005 16:28:53 +0300, "Slav Mit."
<MitrofanovVV@ircoc.vrn.ru> wrote:

Hello, everybody! I wander if someone can help me to arrange with a PCB
design departament what info must be provided when you order to design a
PCB? (a link to a site,containing such info, would be great). The list of
data inquired by PCB designers can not be too large, in my opinion.
Otherwise, nothing will be left to do for them.
The point is that all people have different opinions and I wanted to refer
to opinion of experineced members of this conference.
Thanks.

If you are asking about a list for someone to perform the layout tasks

of your PCB:

You always need to supply this information:
0. Your contact information. If your in a hurry, contact info when
your at home and play.
1. Net list file compatible with their PCB layout program.
2. Schematic. A PDF format with searchable text is a wonderful thing.
3. Data sheets all parts. PDF files work great for this.
4. Mechanical considerations (board outline, board thickness, special
cutouts, where circuitry should go, connector placement, ...)
5. Information you need on the board (legend, logo, part number, ...)

Other information could be:
High-speed routes (differential, impedance, ...)
Current handling
EMI/RFI specs
Shielding
Smallest acceptable routing dimensions
Smallest via size
Blind/burried vias
Board material
Copper thickness
Cost considerations
Agency specifications (CSA, UL, CE, ...)
???

The above is sort of a basic list that comes to mind. There are many
other things you could add to this list depending on your design. If
you don't give enough information, expect to be bothered often or have
a board that doesn't meet your expectations. You need to review the
progress on a daily basis so you can catch problems early.

---
Mark

 

[JeffM]

what info must be provided when you order...a PCB?
Slav Mit.

Minimum:
http://www.finelinecircuits.com/quotation.asp

A bit more detail is required by these folks:
http://www.pcsm-pcb.com/quoteform.html

What they really need to know:
http://www.ace-pcb.com/text/requestquote.htm
(A mark of a good vendor
is a Quote Request form at least this specific.)
..
..
http://www.ampelinc.com/page4.htm
If you don't know what all the terms on this page mean,
now would be a good time to find out.

 

[Slav Mit.]

Thanks, everybody! It is really useful information and I will use it in my
work. But! (sorry for my broken English) I actually was wondering about
"input" information. I.e.if I am a PCB designer: what info I should demand
from a schematic designer? Like this listexample)
1.Schematic in Capture CIS with components from a CIS database.
2.If some components are not in my CIS , I need datasheets for the
components.
3.I need drawing for the PCB, i.e. placement of connectors , modules,
etc.(With dimentions) or IDF file, containing the information.
4.I prefere constraints (line impedance, diff pair properties, time
delay...) included into the schematic in properties of nets. The same
information may be in a spreadsheet format.
5.Info about materials used for the PCB. (FR4, Rogers...)
6.Temperature range.
7...
8. May be my customer (schematic designer) must choose a class of PCB (min
clearence, min drill and min thickness of trace) - it willl change the price
of the board manufacturing.
Well, what else should I demand?
Thank in advance for help. I think many of us face the same question from
time to time..

 

[PeteS]

Slav Mit. wrote:

Thanks, everybody! It is really useful information and I will use it in my
work. But! (sorry for my broken English) I actually was wondering about
"input" information. I.e.if I am a PCB designer: what info I should demand
from a schematic designer? Like this listexample)
1.Schematic in Capture CIS with components from a CIS database.
2.If some components are not in my CIS , I need datasheets for the
components.
3.I need drawing for the PCB, i.e. placement of connectors , modules,
etc.(With dimentions) or IDF file, containing the information.
4.I prefere constraints (line impedance, diff pair properties, time
delay...) included into the schematic in properties of nets. The same
information may be in a spreadsheet format.
5.Info about materials used for the PCB. (FR4, Rogers...)
6.Temperature range.
7...
8. May be my customer (schematic designer) must choose a class of PCB (min
clearence, min drill and min thickness of trace) - it willl change the price
of the board manufacturing.
Well, what else should I demand?
Thank in advance for help. I think many of us face the same question from
time to time..

If you are doing the layout, you should have (at a minimum) the list
provided above (by another poster) from the electrical designer.

In addition, you should be provided (in dxf or some other easily
exchanged format) the mechanical details of the board in full 3D, so
you have not only the mechanical requirements but also keepouts. That
file should also specify any special features (no copper zones, for
instance). It should also specify the precise positioning of any
connectors if the board is designed to go into a housing.

You should also receive the stackup (the number of layers and the usage
of each layer). for a complex board, this may change during the layout,
but it is the responsibility of the electrical designer to specify it
as it directly impacts electrical performance.

You need to tell the electrical designer what CAD package you are using
so they may choose the appropriate netlist output for their tool.

You should also get datasheets for each component used (whether it is
already available or not) and special instructions not on the data
sheet (for instance - keepout zones, voids etc. I specify voids on all
layers under certain power inductors, as another for instance).

Something to keep in mind when laying out boards - the netlist doesn't
tell you everything.In fact, it doesn't really tell you as much as you
might think.

Cheers

PeteS

 

[Boris Mohar]

On Sat, 17 Dec 2005 10:27:15 +0300, "Slav Mit." <MitrofanovVV@ircoc.vrn.ru>
wrote:

Thanks, everybody! It is really useful information and I will use it in my
work. But! (sorry for my broken English) I actually was wondering about
"input" information. I.e.if I am a PCB designer: what info I should demand
from a schematic designer? Like this listexample)
1.Schematic in Capture CIS with components from a CIS database.
2.If some components are not in my CIS , I need datasheets for the
components.
3.I need drawing for the PCB, i.e. placement of connectors , modules,
etc.(With dimentions) or IDF file, containing the information.
4.I prefere constraints (line impedance, diff pair properties, time
delay...) included into the schematic in properties of nets. The same
information may be in a spreadsheet format.
5.Info about materials used for the PCB. (FR4, Rogers...)
6.Temperature range.
7...
8. May be my customer (schematic designer) must choose a class of PCB (min
clearence, min drill and min thickness of trace) - it willl change the price
of the board manufacturing.
Well, what else should I demand?
Thank in advance for help. I think many of us face the same question from
time to time..

9. Mounting holes
10. Are any mounting holes plated for grounding?
11. Test points
12. Preferred pin one orientation of connectors.
13. Keep out areas and maximum height areas.
14. Part number and company logo
15. # 8 is more between you and the board manufacturer.

I would also suggest that you get familiar with the board manufacturer and
assembler. They will have some requirements too.




Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs (among other things) http://www.viatrack.ca

void _-void-_ in the obvious place

 

[Slav Mit.]

Thanks, everybody. It will help me a lot.
Best Regards.
Slav.

 

[JosephKK]

JeffM wrote:

what info must be provided when you order...a PCB?
Slav Mit.

Minimum:
http://www.finelinecircuits.com/quotation.asp

A bit more detail is required by these folks:
http://www.pcsm-pcb.com/quoteform.html

What they really need to know:
http://www.ace-pcb.com/text/requestquote.htm
(A mark of a good vendor
is a Quote Request form at least this specific.)
.
.
http://www.ampelinc.com/page4.htm
If you don't know what all the terms on this page mean,
now would be a good time to find out.

JeffM That was a very good post. It is a bit too oriented toward

production PCB's. There are many more options: the minimum set is outline
of board with all connectors identified, a full netlist, and a complete
parts list (outlines can be derived therefrom).

This is also the maximum cost end of the spectrum and the resulting board
might very well not work strictly due to layout issues (that were not under
your control). To the fool that tries this for anything more complex than
trivial (just as easy to use nail polish and ferric chloride and hand
drilling), you deserve what you get.
--
JosephKK