PCB Libraries Forum : File TXT or Gerber? https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:05:14 +0000 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 06:38:24 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=362 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[File TXT or Gerber? : From most decent CAD systems you...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post956.html#956 Author: jameshead
Subject: 362
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 6:38am

From most decent CAD systems you should have a report output facility and the programmers would have given you a pre-written report format for output of component x/y data.  This is usually in the form of a csv file and could be called component x/y or centroid data.

You need the bare minimum of component reference, x ordinate, y ordinate, rotation or theta, and side of board.  It's useful to have the footprint name and part number there as well though this can be in a separate BOM file which the assembler merges with the x/y position data.

If you've not provided this the assembler can create it themselves using the gerber data.  They would normally use an assembly drawing layer (component outline and component reference number) in addition to the solder paste (if creating for a SMT placement program) layer.  They can use the silkscreen but this can be more error prone.

Their CAM software is able to examine the solder paste and either assembly outlines or silkscreen outlines and do a kind of OCR to workout where the components are.  The assembly drawing layer is easier work from, can be more automated, and less prone to errors whereas if you've only provided a silkscreen to work from then there's more human interaction required on their part and they can make a mistake.

Although they can do this it is not the preferred solution.  The preferred solution is providing the centroid or x/y data in the csv file.
]]> Sun, 17 Jun 2012 06:38:24 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post956.html#956 <![CDATA[File TXT or Gerber? : I am not sure what tool you use...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post954.html#954 Author: Nightwish
Subject: 362
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 4:27am

I am not sure what tool you use and in Mentor we can export a vb_ais file for SMT process and it is a .txt file.
 
]]> Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:27:54 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post954.html#954 <![CDATA[File TXT or Gerber? : and what about Pick and Place...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post953.html#953 Author: cencia
Subject: 362
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 1:12am

and what about Pick and Place file, in Fabbrication Outputs?]]> Sun, 17 Jun 2012 01:12:45 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post953.html#953 <![CDATA[File TXT or Gerber? : With Gerber files you can...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post942.html#942 Author: Artwork Master ITALY
Subject: 362
Posted: 16 Jun 2012 at 2:00pm

With Gerber files you can usually see the copper layers of a PCB.
 
From these files it's not easy find the exact center of the components.
 
You can find them drawing an X from the limits of the SMD pads and from the center of the PTH pads.
 
A Lot of work indeed.
 
Good Luck

]]> Sat, 16 Jun 2012 14:00:05 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post942.html#942 <![CDATA[File TXT or Gerber? : Hi All,I need to know how to...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post924.html#924 Author: cencia
Subject: 362
Posted: 15 Jun 2012 at 3:41pm

Hi All,
 
I need to know how to create files (maybe from Gerbers) for machine for the positioning of SMD components.
 
Can you help me?
 
Thanks in advance,
Matteo
]]> Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:41:23 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/file-txt-or-gerber_topic362_post924.html#924