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Kruse
Denmark
28 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 18:55:54
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A new EMS provider asks for Pick and place files in CSV format ?
My memory tell's me that I've made those my self before. There must exist some generator SW that does this on the basis on out usual output, such as gerber files.
How do you generate Pick and Place files ?
BTW: ONLY for smd parts. |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2011 : 19:10:29
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Same as component positions report .... I tend to set an absolute origin in the bottom left hand corner of the board and then generate the report. Always been ok with our manufacturer.
Iain
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 31 Aug 2011 : 10:26:33
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.....unless your EMS requires Aegis Computer Integrated Manufacturing software or something equivalent. This software system converts your CAD design data and BOM data into a wide array of useful information such as robotic assembly machine programs and documentation more quickly and accurately than with manual methods.
Number 1 offers GenCAD as a bolt-on cost option which should do the job if CIM information is really required (not usually the case!) by your EMS. |
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Kruse
Denmark
28 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 11:49:49
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Thank you for answering..
So far it seems the Easy-PC output is suffient as is. Actually I'm waiting for their response.
They asked which routing programing I'm using, when telling it was Easy-PC he answered: "Thats one of the better..." :o)
Though I've got another request I have not yet been looking for a solution for it, but they seem not to like my silkscreen as component placing description. A comp. placing description where the ref. are placed inside the component (?)
Do I have to do this manually ? (-yikes) |
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 14:23:12
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| The component identification (R1, R2 etc.) on the silk screen should not overlap the pads of the component. However, if you place the designator inside the component outline, the engineer (for test & repair purposes) can't see the designator because the component has now been fitted hiding it. Therefore, I think it's best if the component designator is outside the component outline where it can be seen after the pcb has been assembled. This does involve manually repositioning the offending designators. |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 15:06:13
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This is no big deal as you really need to tweak all designators anyway to get them in the best possible position for reading and avoiding pads and vias and other components.
I normally do this at the very end of a layout just before I produce the final gerbers.
Can be laborious on big layouts but it reall needs to be done to give a professional finish.
Iain |
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Kruse
Denmark
28 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 10:05:12
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We might be missunderstanding each other...
They claims that the silk screen are close to useless for checking component placement and orientation.
Actually he suggests I save the money for the silk screen process unless I have some benefit from it.
He wants an additional file he call's "component placement" it should look a like silk screen but here the designators are placed "inside" the component, such as any misunderstading of orientation and designator relation should be less possible.
As I understood him most silkscreens get clobbered beyond useabillity when components get just a little dense.
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 14:48:26
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Component placement files(for automatic surface mount components) are nothing to do with the component designator identification silk screen. However, the component centre (for pick & place) is assumed to be in the middle of the component outline.
Set the SYSTEM ORIGIN of your pcb to one corner of the pcb and run the Component Positions Report (under the OUTPUT tab). This will produce an X/Y position report for every component centre. Send your manufacturer this report along with the Gerbers.
Your manufacturer will then know where to place R1,R2 etc without even using a component silk screen layer.
Does this help you? |
Edited by - edrees on 05 Sep 2011 09:23:22 |
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Kruse
Denmark
28 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 12:09:57
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@edrees:
I allready got that.
If you read my post #6 you'll see there are added a question to the thread:
"How to get a component placement output ?"
A graphical displayed placing of each component with the designator inside.
Not a text report with X.Y positions.
Not a silk screen print.
It's the EMS manufacturer that requests this... |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 12:18:07
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Sounds linke your EMS is going to do a manual placement .... it which case the silkscreen should be ok (lets face it, its one of its uses).
As Ed says the X,Y is the norm, and specifies the centre of the component coordinates and its rotation for pick and place.
Maybe they simply want a printout of the silk screen ... but no reason why the designators need to be inside the outline
Iain
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Edited by - Iain Wilkie on 05 Sep 2011 12:20:12 |
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Kruse
Denmark
28 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 13:11:12
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| Agree Iain. I will send him the 3D view instead it will have to do. |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 13:14:12
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You could also send a printout of the silkscreen layer
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Topic |
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Generate pck and place files ?