[kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
I'm having trouble converting the gerber code ( copper and component layers ) where the gcam software just dies in the KiCad code. Similar sized card with Eagle goes ok but there is a difference with the gerber code from KiCad. I suppose you're doing milling isolation and not photo processing, then. I never had trouble with kicad gerbers, I'd think about a bug in gcam... If you can you could eventually submit a bug report for pcbnew with the failing gerber to let us look at it, to see if it's defective.
[kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
Gent's, Translating KiCad Gerber files to CNC format can be a bit difficult occasionally and with certain softwares, like Gcam for example. I haven't had time to dive deeper into it - I just bought a Windooze based software to convert the file to gcode. This is not a sustainable solution for me ( I'm trying to phase out Win totally ) so I will finally have to get engaged in debugging the gerber files from KiCad. However, The gerber files from KiCad might contain inconsistencies or gerber errors so do not blame yourself at the first instance it goes wrong with gerber data. Unfortunately, this shows mostly with larger gerber files... This sounds all a bit diffuse, I know. I just want to highlight the possibility of bad gerber output. //Dan, M0DFI
RE: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
What kind of errors, if a PCB house can make the PCBs? Cat To: kicad-users@yahoogroups.com From: d...@andersson.co.uk Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 14:35:21 +0100 Subject: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files The gerber files from KiCad might contain inconsistencies or gerber errors so do not blame yourself at the first instance it goes wrong with gerber data. Unfortunately, this shows mostly with larger gerber files... This sounds all a bit diffuse, I know. I just want to highlight the possibility of bad gerber output. //Dan, M0DFI
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
Good question. I have had many cards made at pcb houses as well. My problem started with a CNC milling machine and the conversion of Kicad gerber files to gcode. I will have to take a look at the problem so I'm out listening for any other's with similar problems. //Dan On Wednesday 05 May 2010 15:38:15 you wrote: What kind of errors, if a PCB house can make the PCBs? Cat To: kicad-users@yahoogroups.com From: d...@andersson.co.uk Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 14:35:21 +0100 Subject: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files The gerber files from KiCad might contain inconsistencies or gerber errors so do not blame yourself at the first instance it goes wrong with gerber data. Unfortunately, this shows mostly with larger gerber files... This sounds all a bit diffuse, I know. I just want to highlight the possibility of bad gerber output. //Dan, M0DFI Please read the Kicad FAQ in the group files section before posting your question. Please post your bug reports here. They will be picked up by the creator of Kicad. Please visit http://www.kicadlib.org for details of how to contribute your symbols/modules to the kicad library. For building Kicad from source and other development questions visit the kicad-devel group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-develYahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: kicad-users-dig...@yahoogroups.com kicad-users-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: kicad-users-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
Hello Dan. I have had many cards made at pcb houses as well. My problem started with a CNC milling machine and the conversion of Kicad gerber files to gcode. This means, the drill file for the board is ok, but you will get broblems milling the outline? Or does it mean, that you will get problems converting the tracks outlines to a milling file for creating a board by milling the cooper away than etching it? With best regards: Bernd Wiebus alias dl1eic
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Gerber files
On Wednesday 05 May 2010 22:56:54 you wrote: Hello Dan. I have had many cards made at pcb houses as well. My problem started with a CNC milling machine and the conversion of Kicad gerber files to gcode. This means, the drill file for the board is ok, but you will get broblems milling the outline? Or does it mean, that you will get problems converting the tracks outlines to a milling file for creating a board by milling the cooper away than etching it? With best regards: Bernd Wiebus alias dl1eic Drill file is probably OK. All the holes end up correctly when my pcb house do them. I'm having trouble converting the gerber code ( copper and component layers ) where the gcam software just dies in the KiCad code. Similar sized card with Eagle goes ok but there is a difference with the gerber code from KiCad. //Dan Please read the Kicad FAQ in the group files section before posting your question. Please post your bug reports here. They will be picked up by the creator of Kicad. Please visit http://www.kicadlib.org for details of how to contribute your symbols/modules to the kicad library. For building Kicad from source and other development questions visit the kicad-devel group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-develYahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: kicad-users-dig...@yahoogroups.com kicad-users-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: kicad-users-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
I did that, and this is the reason why I duplicated the soldermask because I wanted to have pads on the both side! Thanks a lot!! // from iPhone Le 18 mai 09 à 01:12, Joerg joerg...@analogconsultants.com a écrit : Julien Bayle wrote: thanks a lot :) it is very clear to understand. I exported those layers for the 1st pcb of my project. Just one more comment: It pays to take a real good look at all your Gerbers with a gerber viewer. This usually makes it obvious what function a certain file has regardless of how cryptic its name is. It also catches bugs. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/
[kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Julien Bayle julien.ba...@... wrote: hi all experts, I'm inside a big project: http://www.julienbayle.net/diy/protodeck/ I finished one of the PCBs it requires and I'm very close to order it from BatchPCB. But I have some doubts with the gerber files. So, as usual, I read again the nice pcbnew.pdf, but some doubts remain. Can we check together I'm ok ?? xx.copper.pho = all the copper for the bottom face (if component are on top face ..) .cmp.pho = all the copper for the top face (if component are on top face ..) .silkscmp.pho = silkscreen ... ok .silkscu.pho = silkscreen ... ok .soldpcmp.pho = what is it exactly ??? .soldpcu.pho = what is it exactly ??? .maskcmp.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? .maskcu.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? I'd like to make the last check before to order. help would be appreciated. Julien
Re: [kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
Hi, See pcbnew manual, chapter 5. Mask: keep out varnish covering. To prevent varnish (or mask) covering of the pads. Soldp: solder paste allow on smd components. Used to create screens and stencils to applicate solder paste. Not exactly but almost, one is the negative of the other one. Pedro. the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Julien Bayle julien.ba...@... wrote: hi all experts, I'm inside a big project: http://www.julienbayle.net/diy/protodeck/ I finished one of the PCBs it requires and I'm very close to order it from BatchPCB. But I have some doubts with the gerber files. So, as usual, I read again the nice pcbnew.pdf, but some doubts remain. Can we check together I'm ok ?? xx.copper.pho = all the copper for the bottom face (if component are on top face ..) .cmp.pho = all the copper for the top face (if component are on top face ..) .silkscmp.pho = silkscreen ... ok .silkscu.pho = silkscreen ... ok .soldpcmp.pho = what is it exactly ??? .soldpcu.pho = what is it exactly ??? .maskcmp.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? .maskcu.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? I'd like to make the last check before to order. help would be appreciated. Julien
[kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
Hopefully the following details will provide some additional clarification about the differing natures and roles of the solder mask and paste mask layers. An example of where details on a solder mask layer and (associated) paste mask layer would *not* be the same involves (surface mount) pads which form part of an edge connector. (It is not uncommon for such pads to be gold plated (or more accurately, to normally have a very thin layer of gold on top of a thicker layer of tin), but that is another story.) Each such pad should be exposed on the solder mask layer (for the particular solder mask layer which is on the same side of the PCB as the particular (copper) layer that the pad concerned is located on), so that when a connector is actually mated with the associated edge connector, each of the pads concerned is not prevented from making electrical contact with the appropriate pin within that mating connector. On the other hand, each such pad should *not* be exposed on the paste mask layer (for the particular paste mask layer which is on the same side of the PCB as the particular (copper) layer that the pad concerned is located on). When solder paste is applied to a PCB (prior to actually installing components on it), such pads should *not* have any solder paste deposited on top of them -- because those pads are being provided to make contact with the pins within a connector which is mated with the associated edge connector, and as such, applying any solder paste to such pads would not be appropriate. Vias are similar to pads in that it is appropriate to specify appropriate details for the solder mask layers. But unlike pads though, vias are never present on either of the paste mask layers. The purpose of the paste mask layers is to control where solder paste is applied to PCBs, and as vias are provided to interconnect different copper layers, it is never appropriate to apply any solder paste to any of them. Regards, Geoff. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Pedro Martin wrote: Hi, See pcbnew manual, chapter 5. Mask: keep out varnish covering. To prevent varnish (or mask) covering of the pads. Soldp: solder paste allow on smd components. Used to create screens and stencils to applicate solder paste. Not exactly but almost, one is the negative of the other one. Pedro. the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Julien Bayle wrote: hi all experts, I'm inside a big project: http://www.julienbayle.net/diy/protodeck/ I finished one of the PCBs it requires and I'm very close to order it from BatchPCB. But I have some doubts with the gerber files. So, as usual, I read again the nice pcbnew.pdf, but some doubts remain. Can we check together I'm ok ?? xx.copper.pho = all the copper for the bottom face (if component are on top face ..) .cmp.pho = all the copper for the top face (if component are on top face ..) .silkscmp.pho = silkscreen ... ok .silkscu.pho = silkscreen ... ok .soldpcmp.pho = what is it exactly ??? .soldpcu.pho = what is it exactly ??? .maskcmp.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? .maskcu.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? I'd like to make the last check before to order. help would be appreciated. Julien
[kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
thanks a lot :) it is very clear to understand. I exported those layers for the 1st pcb of my project. I'm going to post another question about freerouting.net and native autorouter in kicad :) talks soon julien --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, gharlandau gharlan...@... wrote: Hopefully the following details will provide some additional clarification about the differing natures and roles of the solder mask and paste mask layers. An example of where details on a solder mask layer and (associated) paste mask layer would *not* be the same involves (surface mount) pads which form part of an edge connector. (It is not uncommon for such pads to be gold plated (or more accurately, to normally have a very thin layer of gold on top of a thicker layer of tin), but that is another story.) Each such pad should be exposed on the solder mask layer (for the particular solder mask layer which is on the same side of the PCB as the particular (copper) layer that the pad concerned is located on), so that when a connector is actually mated with the associated edge connector, each of the pads concerned is not prevented from making electrical contact with the appropriate pin within that mating connector. On the other hand, each such pad should *not* be exposed on the paste mask layer (for the particular paste mask layer which is on the same side of the PCB as the particular (copper) layer that the pad concerned is located on). When solder paste is applied to a PCB (prior to actually installing components on it), such pads should *not* have any solder paste deposited on top of them -- because those pads are being provided to make contact with the pins within a connector which is mated with the associated edge connector, and as such, applying any solder paste to such pads would not be appropriate. Vias are similar to pads in that it is appropriate to specify appropriate details for the solder mask layers. But unlike pads though, vias are never present on either of the paste mask layers. The purpose of the paste mask layers is to control where solder paste is applied to PCBs, and as vias are provided to interconnect different copper layers, it is never appropriate to apply any solder paste to any of them. Regards, Geoff. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Pedro Martin wrote: Hi, See pcbnew manual, chapter 5. Mask: keep out varnish covering. To prevent varnish (or mask) covering of the pads. Soldp: solder paste allow on smd components. Used to create screens and stencils to applicate solder paste. Not exactly but almost, one is the negative of the other one. Pedro. the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, Julien Bayle wrote: hi all experts, I'm inside a big project: http://www.julienbayle.net/diy/protodeck/ I finished one of the PCBs it requires and I'm very close to order it from BatchPCB. But I have some doubts with the gerber files. So, as usual, I read again the nice pcbnew.pdf, but some doubts remain. Can we check together I'm ok ?? xx.copper.pho = all the copper for the bottom face (if component are on top face ..) .cmp.pho = all the copper for the top face (if component are on top face ..) .silkscmp.pho = silkscreen ... ok .silkscu.pho = silkscreen ... ok .soldpcmp.pho = what is it exactly ??? .soldpcu.pho = what is it exactly ??? .maskcmp.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? .maskcu.pho = what is it exactly? is it soldermask ? i.e the place where the protection resin won't be ? I'd like to make the last check before to order. help would be appreciated. Julien
Re: [kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
Julien Bayle wrote: the real question is : what is the differnce between soldcomp maskcomp ??? Maskcomp is the solder mask layer. Soldcomp is the solder paste layer. It is used to make a stencil to apply solder paste. Dave - WB6DHW http://wb6dhw.com
[kicad-users] Re: gerber files produced by kiCad
Julien Bayle wrote: thanks a lot :) it is very clear to understand. I exported those layers for the 1st pcb of my project. Just one more comment: It pays to take a real good look at all your Gerbers with a gerber viewer. This usually makes it obvious what function a certain file has regardless of how cryptic its name is. It also catches bugs. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/
