PCB News - The benefits of converting PCB files into drilling data and GERBER files

The benefits of converting PCB files into drilling data and GERBER files
Converting PCB files directly into drilling data and GERBER files will save a lot of trouble, but many electronic engineers will not convert PCB files into drilling data and GERBER files before handing over the PCB files to the factory. Instead, they are accustomed to designing the PCB file or exporting it from the PCB copy software and sending it directly to the PCB processing factory.

Because electronic engineers and PCB engineers have different understanding of PCB, the GERBER file converted by the PCB factorymay not be what you want. For example, you define the parameters of the components in the PCB file when you design, and you don’t want these parameters to be displayed. On the finished PCB board, you did not explain, the PCB factory left these parameters on the finished PCB. This is just an example. If you convert the PCB file into a GERBER file, you can avoid such incidents.

The GERBER file is an international standard gerber file format. It contains two formats: RS-274-D and RS-274-X. RS-274-D is called the basic GERBER format, and it must be accompanied by a D code file. Describe a picture completely; RS-274-X is called the extended GERBER format, which itself contains D code information. Commonly used CAD software can generate these two format files.

How to check the correctness of the generated GERBER? You only need to import these GERBER files and D code files into the free software Viewmate V6.3, and then you can see them on the screen or print them out through the printer.

Drilling data can also be generated by various CAD software, the general format is Excellon, which can also be displayed in Viewmate. Of course, PCB can't be made without drilling data.