It is becoming clear that a custom PCB can be cheaper than a perfboard - as well as a lot less stressful. I understand I can produce gerber files from any Cad but I can't get gerberview to work and I might not be on the right track anyway.
AND I'm far from sure what is required.
I would rather not embark on learning another CAD and I would be glad to hear of anybody using standard DXF converted to Gerber.
Learn to draw with a real PCB program. A lot of components are included. Correct chape, correct connections. You draw first the schematic with symbols and 'wires' between the components. Then you go to the board section and all you're components and (air)'wires' are there. You have back anotation. Something that you don't have in a normal cad program. You can set rules for the traces, minimal space between traces, ....
Eagle is free with limitations.
Kikad is another frequent used program.
Hi,
To convert DXF to GCode I use CAMBAM.
But it is a CAD.
Thank you
I have KiCAD but I'm probably the oldest guy on the forum and I'm not keen to go through all that, particularly when I have a CAD that I can use easily.
I have now tried ViewMate and have succeeded in importing a view of topside traces, vias, and pads from a plot to vector PDF, which I did not expect but it looks promising and at least it knows an A6 sheet when it sees one. It doesn't actually want to know DXF, maybe because it is the freebie version, but it apparently will look at HPGL. I haven't used that for about thirty years but I guess I can get it going if I need to.
Try; Convert DXF to GBR with reaConverter — Batch Conversion Software I have never used it as KiCad generates the Gerber files for me.
OK I have tried the online realConverter, which seems too good to be true. You have to know exactly what you are doing, though. I cannot find any way to delete mistakes, and I don't know what information to put into each layer, or even if I should mirror the solder side stuff.
I think you don't know what a PCB program for you do. For every component you must place the pads on the right place, right shape. With or without drill hole. How go you made a plated hole in a normal CAD program? How go you made a via, with ring, between top and bottom layer? How go you place component name and value in different gerber? How go you check the clearance from you're traces. 6mill, 8mill, 10mill or 12mill? How go you make the silk screen?
Use CAD is less easy then you think to draw a good PCB. Draw a good PCB isn't easy at all.
OK.. If I don't make a PCB, this job will be done on a perfboard, just like all the others I have made but soldered by my granddaughter.. In that event, all component drill holes are the same, 1mm, and all pads are the same, 2mm. The bog-ordinary components intended to work there, so will work on the PCB with the same holes and pads. Similarly, I expect all vias to be a default, say 1mm ring over a 0.7mm hole, and that every hole is plated through. I'll take advice on the track size, but I assume it is a default, and the only criterion is that no more than one trace will ever go between two pads, and there is never any need for traces to be closer than 1.27mm, that's 50 mils. Hence the whole shebang will be on a 1.27mm grid, just like proto board, and the nature of the components essentially preclude anything more sophisticated.
Further, I expect the component arrangement on the PCB will directly reflect that originally planned on the perfboard - and indeed the same components.
I utterly fail to see the need for for component names and values etc., I already know what they are.
I think I know what the board would essentially look like, but I don't know about the various masks. I assume masks around the tracks are handled in the same way as those around the pads.
The normal files to sen in zip are
.TXT file with the aperture list and used drill coördinates.
.GBL file with gerber bottom layer.
.GTL gerber top layer
.GBO silk bottom
.GTO silk top
.GBP solder paste bottom
.GTP solder paste top
.GML dimension and milling layer
.GBS solder mask bottom
.GTS solder mask top
Normally you become 5 or a multiple of 5 per order. Today and tomorrow you know what board it is. Do you know the same that after a year and 10 boards?
How many mill are the traces? My standard is 40mill if possible. For + and GND more.
One of my last projects in 4 layer. 208 SW2813A neopixel, 208 100n 0603 condensator, 208 220Ω 0603 resistor and 4 1000µ elco. All hand soldered.
Bottom side.
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
