CAM Information
We manufacture your designs from Gerber & NC data that has been exported from a PCB design package. At the end of the day, the only data that matters is the Gerber data. This is why we prefer designs to be submitted in Gerber 274-X format, 2:4 trailing, Imperial with NC Drill files.
As a consideration to our customers, we also will accept certain design files that export Gerber & NC data: Protel 2.8 for Windows, Protel 98, Protel 99SE, Protel DXP, Altium 6.9 & Eagle PCB.
We offer two levels of CAM service: Plot & Go or Full Service. In Plot & Go, we do not check your design file for manufacturability, we simply extract Gerbers if required, step & repeat or panelise, plot artwork and generate machine files. This service is only available on jobs where a single design file is submitted. Full Service includes checking your design for manufacturability, file merging as well as step & repeat, panelisation, plotting & machine file generation. Since every job is unique, from different designers, using different software, for different purposes, we can not check for fit for purpose or verify any other circuit or electrical properties of your design.
Typically, the CAM procedure is:
- Extract Gerber data from supplied design file, import into CAM software, verify data and match drill file information to pads.
- Disseminate mechanical information such as board shape, cutouts, special requirements
- Check design for acceptable minumums – ie track width, track spacing, pad to hole spacing, mask clearances, internal clearances, etc (Only on Full Service)
- Perform data rotations, duplication, panelisation for loading.
- Step-and-repeat within the area of our usable panel
- Apply our standard tooling holes, borders, handling areas etc for manufacture
- Generate applicable machine files such as drill, rout, legend print as well as physical artworks
- Complete all paperwork including transfer of customer requirements to internal specification sheets
- Submit completed package to production for review and issue to factory
This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the complexity of the job at hand.
