I've been using EPC since 2004 (admittedly, PCB design is less than 5% of my job) and this is the first time I've been asked that. Apparently, it makes it much easier to load into the pick and place machine.
I've only used this company once before and they didn't ask then, but that job only had about 20 or so components on it.
I already told him I didn't think I could supply DXF and he didn't reply, so I guess he's working with the CSV.
I can see that having a complete description of the bounds of the component would mean he wouldn't have to manually adjust each component type (or maybe each component). After all, the coordinates just specify an unknown (to him) point on the component.
EPC component position report generates the XY position with respect to the absolute origin of your design. I make the bottom left hand corner my absolute origin, so the components are not referenced to some arbitrary position probably off the pcb.
I do that too. What I meant was the point of reference in the component itself is unknown. I always make it the centre of the component, but it could be placed anywhere in the footprint designer.
Quote from help file ...... The component centre is displayed in the current design units (defined in the Units dialog). It is taken as the component bounding box excluding the component reference name, values or any other component bound text. It does however include pads and silk screen shapes.
DXF Component Positions
Posted - 17 Jan 2013 : 05:55:46
