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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Need help ordering PCBs please
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Turbo46 Guru  Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
In the CN column of the January issue of Silicon Chip in there was a description of a ‘Micromite Mk2 dev board with Microbridge’. I wanted to get a couple of boards so I downloaded the ZIP file which contains the Eagle ECAD files and Gerber files among other things with a view to ordering 5 boards from a Chinese manufacturer like: JLCPCB, PCBGOGO, PCBWay or similar. From what I understand a drill file is needed to specify the drilling sizes. But there is not one included. The Gerber files included are:  I had a look at some of the Gerber files and the first line says: G04 DipTrace 3.3.1.3* Which leads me to believe that they were created using Diptrace NOT Eagle. I use Diptrace 3.3.1.3 for schematics myself so I imported the .brd and .sch files into Diptrace and produced a new set of Gerber files as above and a ‘Through.drl’ file. It’s a bit of a worry because the new set of Gerber files are different to the originals. My problem is: are the original set of Gerber files enough for ordering PCBs? Or should I use the second set even though they are different along with the .drl file. How do I supply them to the manufacturer? Thanks Bill PS Sorry, I put this in the wrong place Edited 2020-01-27 15:40 by Turbo46 Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
Bill, there are a number of different issues raised there. Your best bet might be to contact JCL customer service and ask them. They will get back to you very fast and are extremely helpful. I originally had several problems with my file format that were very easily fixed. Cheers, Tony. |
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| Turbo46 Guru Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
Thanks Tony, I just hoped to get it right first time an not stuff people around, Is that JLCPCB? Their site does show how to generate the Gerber and drill files. Bill Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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Quazee137 Guru Joined: 07/08/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 600 |
Here is what I use with JLCPCB NC Drill TXT Milling GML Dril legend do Cream top GTP I think this is used for the stencil Sldr Msk bot GBS Sldr Msk top GTS Silk top GTO I only silk screen the top Bottom layer GBL Top Layer GTL I zip them and upload to JLCPCB and use their gerber viewer linux I use the Gerbv Gerber File Viewer Edited 2020-01-27 17:00 by Quazee137 |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
G'Day All Grogster did a good job of covering this 29 Sept. 2018. I use FREEPCB, PCBGOGO & PRAYER. I don't remember doing anything about a drill file. The good part is, order Monday, receive on Friday. The bad part is the postage. Peter edit. It all happens automatically. My zip file includes a drill file and I had nothing to do with it  Peter Edited 2020-01-27 17:45 by PeterB |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3470 |
If the drill file is not included, you should be able to produce a proper zip file from the Eaglecad sch and brd files. Using version 9.3.0 (free), from the brd file I click the CAM processor icon (to the right of SCH/BRD), click Export as Zip, and click Process Job. This produces a zip file which contains everything, though the drill file is in a separate directory within the zip file from the other gerber files. JLCPCB will accept this file directly. Edited 2020-01-28 04:43 by lizby PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on fruitoftheshed |
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| Turbo46 Guru Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
Thanks everyone, As I said, I think the original files were created with Diptrace which I am sort of familiar with and don't want to struggle with a new software. Perhaps I should use the output from Diptrace and try some of Peter's PRAYER. PeterB, Do you have a link for Grogster's posting please? I can't find it. Bill Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
http://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=10805#125753 I'm not very clever at posting links or attaching things so if it works!!!!! The people at PCBGOGO are incredibly tolerant of elderly idiots. I asked what would be involved in getting them to load/populate their boards. They did their best to help me but it did get a bit complicated however, I did get to explain the origin of G'Day when they queried it, I thought that was important. Peter |
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| Turbo46 Guru Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
Thanks Peter, your link works. But you should use a smiley face when you call me an elderly idiot  Bill Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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| Warpspeed Guru Joined: 09/08/2007 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4406 |
Just realised the Chinese New Year celebrations just started a few days ago. If you are Chinese, its like Christmas, New Years day, and your birthday all rolled into one great happy drunken Chinese event. Everything in China stops completely for at least a couple of weeks, absolutely nothing gets done, so trying to contact customer service right now is just not going to work. I believe its officially back to work for them Monday Feb 10. Cheers, Tony. |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
G'Day Bill I'm sure you understand I meant me.  But I do have a problem with getting boards loaded/populated. I have got to an age where that sort of thing is not much fun so I can design boards, PCBGOGO can make boards but that is where it ends or will soon. PCBGOGO need a very specific description of each component. Something like 10k 1/4W Jaycar is not good enough. Anyway, just another problem to solve. I'm sure you will have a lot of fun getting boards made and I have always loved unwrapping a new board. One of life's little pleasures. Elderly Idiot |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 10573 |
Try JLCPCB. They have a huge stock of components. When you get the BOM from your design tool you can this modify this with the JLC part number - they have a good lookup. Then they just need a placement spreadsheet - again your design tool should produce this but is will need manipulating to meet their spec (simple CSV file). Everything is done online and they have great tools to show the components placed on the PCB layout including orientation so it is easy to correct any rotational issues on things like tantalum capacitors. I've just ordered 2 100x130mm PCBs to be built by them with 87 components on each including an £11 processor for a total of £60, amazing value. The only real limitations is that they only populate the PCB on one side (although of course the PCB can be multilayer) and they only do SMD parts. Key to the cost is using components from their "basic" range. These are already loaded into their part placement machines. Components from their "extended" range incur a small additional cost. Edited 2020-01-28 22:06 by matherp |
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| Turbo46 Guru Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
Just before I retired, at work they started to have boards loaded locally. I think it was here in South Oz. It was a lot cheaper than having the Techs do it. I think they (at work) had to supply all of the parts. All plated through. Of course it will be cheaper to get the Chinese to do it but maybe less hassle. I can find out more info if you like? Bill Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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| PeterB Guru Joined: 05/02/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 655 |
G'Day All Thanks matherp. That sounds like the answer but I would have to go over to SMD not a bad thing anyway. I will get stuck into it when I get a chance. Thanks Bill. That is always a possibility but it would involve quite a lot of organizing on my part. getting & delivering components etc. Why am I always on a steep learning curve or is it just that any learning curve is steep for an elderly idiot? But I wouldn't miss it for quids.  Peter |
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bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2971 |
GDay Turbo Bill, The PCB Fab house will definitely want a drill file for production of the board. You generally need Top Copper Bottom Copper Top Silk Screen Bottom Silk Screen Top Solder Mask Bottom Solder Mask Board outline (or profile) Drill.txt And if Using SMD devices Top Solder Paste Bottom Solder Paste You say its a Mk2 Dev board.. If my >>> BackPack-64X <<< PCB would work for you I am happy to send you a freebie... Just PM me your address details. Note that it is an EXTREME based MMX not MM2 but if that is OK by you (about the same purchase price but faster) let me know your address and it will be on its way to you. The manual is included in the link above. Kind Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| Turbo46 Guru Joined: 24/12/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1646 |
Thanks Mick, That's very generous but I want the MM2 board to replace a vero board I have with a Microbridge and ZIF socket that I use for programming 170s and doing some testing. I also want to go through the process of ordering PCBs because I want to design and order my own. I have designed one in Diptrace and then changed the schematic and I need to find out how to update the board to match the revised schematic. Bill Keep safe. Live long and prosper. |
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