Clueless ME seeking DXF-Gerber translation 1

[pfengineer]

I'm a MechE, so this isn't my usual forum; really simple answers would be appreciated :-0

My company has designed a very simple circuit board (essentially nine resistor holes with traces between) and we need it fabricated. Unfortunately the best-priced company only accepts Gerber files, and we can't make them. The layout is currently in AutoCAD (DXF) format.

Since we don't design circuit boards regularly, we're reluctant to shell out $350+ for a piece of software we aren't qualified to use and will almost never need. However, I've been unable to find free programs. Most of the shareware/demos I did manage to dig up don't let you save.

I would be thrilled to just have translation software (DXF to Gerber) but I don't know enough about Gerber files to really understand what's going on there either. What are photo plots, and how many layers/files do I need for a one-sided board?

I think my lack of understanding is probably the key problem here :-D but that's the way it goes sometimes!

 

[SteveSmith]

Hi,
Photoplots are the plots of the gerber files on clear high quality film (usually at least 2000 dpi).
I do both mechanical design on AutoCAD and PC Board layouts
(I was using AutoCAD but now use Protel). Protel uses a program called Camtastic to check files. I also use Camtastic to generate silkscreen photoplots from AutoCAD and it works great. If you would like to e-mail me the file I could make a gerber file and send it back to you (If you are not in to big of a hurry as I would have to do this on my "free time" - i.e. lunch).

For a single-sided board you will need a gerber file for the solder side, silkscreen if any, and soldermask if any.
You will also need to include an excellon drill text file.
I could generate this file for you but you need to let me know what size the holes are and which are plated-thru and which are not.

Warning: Most board houses want an HPGL plot file of the board to with mechanical info - dimensions (with at least one hole dimensioned from a corner of the board), # of holes,# of layers, silkscreen & soldermask info. They also will want a readme text file with mechanical info on the board, gerber & drill data. this file should also include your purchasing info & contact info.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. You can e-mail the file to steveasmith@yahoo.com

Regards,
Steve Smith
Product Engineer
Staco Energy Products Co.

http://www.stacoenergy.com

 

pfiesty,
Steve Smith's answer was right on the money & he's a pretty cool guy to offer you his services.
Also there are a number of independent photoplotting houses that offer data conversion services that can convert your DXF/DWG to Gerber & NCD.
Camtastic is a good product, (my company helped in the early development of CAMtastic before it was bought by Protel last summer) but there can be font problems with silkscrees.
One way around that is to setup a HPGL plotter in AutoCAD and to print (plot) your silkscreen to a file and then import it into a program like CAMtastic.
If either of you have questions, please feel free to e-mail me: dcone@earthlink.net
Or, visit my web sites:
D03 * Inc. Photoplotting & Data Conversion Services:

http://www.d03.com

PCB industry web page:

http://www.everythingpcb.com

 

[SteveSmith]

Danny,
I've noticed the font problem that you mentioned and appreciate the tip about the HPGL file (slap to the forehead - why didn't I think about that!)

I like your pricing for photoplots (and the step pricing - what a great idea)and will keep you in mind for future photoplots - we just redesigned our company logo so we may have a few coming down the road.

Thanks, Steve Smith
Product Engineer
Staco Energy Products Co.

http://www.stacoenergy.com

 

[pfengineer]

Hi Steve,

Sorry for not responding sooner but as usual I've been busy

I tried to send you a message (and the CAD file) to steveasmith@yahoo.com, but I'm getting an invalid address response. Any ideas?

Thanks again for the ideas,
Erica Pfister

 

[SteveSmith]

oops,
It's steveasmith2000@yahoo.com
Steve Smith
Product Engineer
Staco Energy Products Co.

http://www.stacoenergy.com