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John Baraclough
United Kingdom
129 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Nov 2013 : 10:11:26
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I have designed a board with a front and back panel for a project I'm working on. I have put a pair of silk-screen lines between which the board is to be sawn in half after manufacture. I would like to define a shallow routed groove between the two halves of the board to assist in breaking the sections apart.
I have searched the help files in vain and can find no indication of how I might achieve this.
Has anyone done anything like this before and can offer some hints on how to achieve it?
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Birthdays are good for you: the more you have, the longer you live ... and I've had lots of them so I should know! |
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2013 : 10:24:06
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Hi John.
You could add a text breakout to the drawing highlighting the fact that the pcb is to be cut between the lines? If it is the pcb manufacturer who will cut the pcbs, ask him for his advice.
Another method might be to add another layer called "V_Groove_Score" and add the lines onto this layer?
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Edited by - edrees on 25 Nov 2013 10:25:01 |
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John Baraclough
United Kingdom
129 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2013 : 11:34:43
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Thanks.
I can add a layer easily, but how do I define a v-groove which doesn't penetrate the full thickness of the board?
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Birthdays are good for you: the more you have, the longer you live ... and I've had lots of them so I should know! |
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Mike Warren
Australia
124 Posts |
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Mike Warren
Australia
124 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2013 : 11:41:01
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quote:
Originally posted by John Baraclough
I can add a layer easily, but how do I define a v-groove which doesn't penetrate the full thickness of the board?
Just specify that it's v-groove and make the line widths match whatever your manufacturer requires. My main 2 board makers use 50 thou, so that's probably a good starting point.
Just bear in mind that v-groove must run across the whole panel. See the purple lines in this picture.
http://mike-warren.net/elect/vgroove_panel.jpg
http://mike-warren.net |
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John Baraclough
United Kingdom
129 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2013 : 12:19:17
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Thanks Mike. I'll give it a try.
The prototype boards are being made in China by ITead who specifically don't support panellising by routing, only silk-screen cutting lines. However, we will probably come nearer home for the production boards so this is very helpful.
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Birthdays are good for you: the more you have, the longer you live ... and I've had lots of them so I should know! |
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John Baraclough
United Kingdom
129 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2013 : 16:15:05
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A couple more hints would be helpful.
1. When I add a "V Groove" layer, what layer type should it be? I've chosen "Documentation" but I'm not sure if that's the best choice.
2. How should I output the data from this layer? I've chosed Excellon drill format, but again I'm not sure if that is the best choice.
I haven't contacted a PCB manufacturer yet but am just trying to create the best data format to use.
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Birthdays are good for you: the more you have, the longer you live ... and I've had lots of them so I should know! |
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2013 : 16:54:40
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Hi John,
I normally include a "Mechanical" layer for this sort of thing.
Another tip is to include a README.TXT file with ZIPped up Gerbers & Excellons. The readme file should explain everything about the pcb design to your pcb manufacturer and ends with the classic "If in doubt -ask!"
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Jim McLay
Ireland
2 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2014 : 14:20:35
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quote:
Originally posted by edrees
Hi John,
I normally include a "Mechanical" layer for this sort of thing.
Another tip is to include a README.TXT file with ZIPped up Gerbers & Excellons. The readme file should explain everything about the pcb design to your pcb manufacturer and ends with the classic "If in doubt -ask!"
quote:
Originally posted by edrees
Hi John,
Here's a tip: zip your gerbers and drl files together and upload them to be.eurocircuits.com. They have (a) A price Calculator with v-grooves etc as choosable options and (b) a super viewer/analyser called "Visualiser" which will tell you all you ever need to know about your PCB.
Pat-The-Pirate |
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Topic |
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Routing a breakaway line