Printed circuit boards are a key element of various businesses, especially in the digital age when electronic technology is so important in many different areas. Different types of printed circuit boards also come in different types, depending on the needs of a particular company or industry, may have different materials, shapes and sizes. PCB designers continue to try to find faster, stronger, more efficient circuit board development methods.
However, all these printed circuit boards and PCB designs have one thing in common, that is, they rely on high-quality Gerber files. The Gerber file is a digital blueprint of the PCB and is the layer-by-layer input of the PCB manufacturer’s detailed manufacturing and manufacturing processes. Gerber file errors can be catastrophic to the PCB manufacturer, resulting in manufacturing errors and premature failure of the printed circuit board or failing to work at optimal levels.Avoid Gerber file issues to ensure the integrity and accuracy of these files, which is crucial to ensure that every printed circuit board is out of line with the specifications. The following are some of the most common Gerber file problems encountered by PCB manufacturers and what they can do about them.
Empty Gerber files: Believe it or not, designers can create Gerber files or “zero-byte” files without any information. No matter who reads the file, it does not know whether the file is completely irrelevant or if there is accidental deletion. The designer must check each Gerber file to ensure it contains useful information before sending it.
Missing or incomplete documents: This is almost the opposite problem. Manufacturers need to understand each of the specifications associated with the printed circuit board, from the size of the plated through holes to the size of the board. Any missing information may cause the board to be inconsistent with the required specifications. It is important to ensure that every necessary Gerber file is ready and accessible.
Bad file tags: Although not a catastrophic error, it is strongly recommended that designers name all Gerber files according to the manufacturer’s known naming conventions. In this way, the manufacturer can immediately find the Gerber files he or she needs without worrying about whether they have the correct documents.
Too Many Aperture Lists: Gerber Files Ideally there should be a list of apertures containing all the details the manufacturer needs for the tools required for each stage of production. Multiple aperture lists can be confusing, reducing manufacturing speed and potentially increasing the chance of errors. Also note that designers create aperture lists in formats other than Gerber files, which can also lead to confusion.
Composite layer design error: If the designer’s software creates a composite layer when generating a single layer design specification, it is important to combine the images to create a Gerber file for each layer to avoid errors.
Gerber file errors are the most unforgiving of all the potential problems your printed circuit board may encounter. While most PCB design errors can be avoided with more careful and focused work, Gerber file errors are the easiest mistakes to avoid. Given that the consequences of Gerber file problems can be so expensive and time consuming, you simply can’t allow them to happen. Some ways to help you avoid Gerber file problems include:
Use Gerber file viewer to check Gerber files
Print template to ensure correct specifications
Use high-definition CAD software
Follow best quality assurance practices throughout the design process