Whether receiving a quote or starting a project, customer-provided data is vital to the development and production of your project.
To safeguard accuracy and eliminate delays, Green Circuits’ complete turnkey solutions require specific customer-provided data in order to execute our customers requested PCB Design or PCBA Manufacturing Services.
Before proceeding with PCB Design, or PCB Layout Services, you must decide what attributes you would like your design to have, choose the appropriate software (most customers prefer Allegro, PADs, or Altium) and provide:
- Netlist (in the software format desired)
- Component data sheets (especially for critical parts)
- PCB Mechanical requirement
- Schematic with reference designators
- Keep out area(s)
- Special routing rules (Impedance control, High speed signals, etc.)
- PCB stack-up with layer definition
Once the PCB layout is complete and verified, you are ready to proceed with building your PCBAs. It is often easier and more efficient to transition from our PCB Design and Engineering Team to our Manufacturing Team because the vital data is readily available and the communication loop is tight.
In any case, however; as you reach out to your EMS partner for a quote, it is a best practice to provide the following data:
- Gerber Data (274X format) or ODB++ Files
- Solder Paste file (in array format if boards are panelized)
- Fabrication Drawing
- XY Data
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Assembly Drawing
- Mechanical Drawings (If required)
- Test Procedure (If required)
- Letters of Authorization for any parts for which you control pricing (if applicable)
We strongly advise that you consult with your PCB and PCBA service provider before starting your project to ensure you are effectively utilizing your provider’s capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Data Do I Need to Provide for PCB Design (PCB Layout)?
- Netlist (in the software format desired)
- Component data sheets (especially for critical parts)
- PCB Mechanical requirement
- Schematic with reference designators
- Keep out area(s)
- Special routing rules (Impedance control, High speed signals, etc.)
- PCB stack-up with layer definition
What Type of Data Do I Need to Provide for PCB Manufacturing?
- Gerber Data (274X format) or ODB++ Files
- Solder Paste file (in array format if boards are panelized)
- Fabrication Drawing
- XY Data
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Assembly Drawing
- Mechanical Drawings (If required)
- Test Procedure (If required)
- Letters of Authorization for any parts for which you control pricing (if applicable)
What is the Most Common Delay in the PCB Manufacturing Process?
Missing customer-provided data. The BOM with missing reference designators and Assembly Drawings with missing polarity are the most common documents missing in submission with delays often attributing to missing polarity for parts.
