Releasing a Board for Manufacture - Revision history

Mjpauly: Added to category Altium

2018-11-01T06:56:27Z

Added to category Altium

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 1 November 2018
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	=== Ordering a Stencil ===		=== Ordering a Stencil ===

			[[Category:Altium]]

Smaldonado: /* SSI.OutJob */ typo

2018-10-11T19:59:14Z

SSI.OutJob: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 11 October 2018
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	You can safely ignore all of the other files (i.e. [board].apr), which are generated automatically and can't be suppressed but are not needed to manufacture a board.		You can safely ignore all of the other files (i.e. [board].apr), which are generated automatically and can't be suppressed but are not needed to manufacture a board.

	For fabrication, you'll need to create a ZIP file containing all of the above files, except for the GTP/~~GTP~~ files and the Excel spreadsheet (.xls). Make sure you specifically check the file extensions; several text files will be generated but there will only be one [board].txt file, which is your drill file. Give the ZIP a presentable, descriptive name that ends with "Gerbers" - it's going to be sent to a manufacturer. Also make sure you add the ZIP specifically to SVN so there's a record of exactly what was sent to the manufacturer.		For fabrication, you'll need to create a ZIP file containing all of the above files, except for the GTP/GBP files and the Excel spreadsheet (.xls). Make sure you specifically check the file extensions; several text files will be generated but there will only be one [board].txt file, which is your drill file. Give the ZIP a presentable, descriptive name that ends with "Gerbers" - it's going to be sent to a manufacturer. Also make sure you add the ZIP specifically to SVN so there's a record of exactly what was sent to the manufacturer.

	== Putting It All Together ==		== Putting It All Together ==

Smaldonado: /* Ordering Components */ less aggression

2018-10-09T17:46:39Z

Ordering Components: less aggression

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 9 October 2018
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	=== Ordering Components ===		=== Ordering Components ===
	'''This is generally a time-consuming process; [[BOMSquad]] is in development to simplify it but at present there's a decent amount of manual labor involved. Make sure you allocate time accordingly'''		''This is generally a time-consuming process; [[BOMSquad]] is in development to simplify it but at present there's a decent amount of manual labor involved. Make sure you allocate time accordingly''

	Open your BoM Excel file (in either Excel or Google Sheets).		Open your BoM Excel file (in either Excel or Google Sheets).


	=== Ordering a Stencil ===		=== Ordering a Stencil ===

Smaldonado: Started BoM

2018-10-09T17:46:17Z

Started BoM

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 9 October 2018
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	<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>		<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>
	File:outjob.png\|OutJob configured for all outputs		File:outjob.png\|(1 of 2) OutJob configured for all outputs
	File:outjob_no_BOM.png\|OutJob configured to skip BoM generation		File:outjob_no_BOM.png\|(2 of 2) OutJob configured to skip BoM generation
	</gallery>		</gallery>

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	<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>		<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>
	File:InstantDfM.png\|Passing DfM results.		File:InstantDfM.png\| (1 of 2) Passing DfM results.
	File:InstantDfMfail.png\|DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.		File:InstantDfMfail.png\| (2 of 2) DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	The goal is to always be within BAC's standard capabilities - this minimizes the risk of manufacturing errors and shortens production time. Small deviations (like the 0.01 mil deviation shown) come from rounding errors during the Altium export process and can be safely ignored. If truly necessary, features requiring the advanced capabilities can be produced; however this should be avoided if possible.		The goal is to always be within BAC's standard capabilities - this minimizes the risk of manufacturing errors and shortens production time. Small deviations (like the 0.01 mil deviation shown) come from rounding errors during the Altium export process and can be safely ignored. If truly necessary, features requiring the advanced capabilities can be produced; however this should be avoided if possible. The Altium design rules included in the template projects are designed to keep projects within BAC's standard capabilities.

	The second image in the above slideshow shows a failing DfM check. There are two major issues: first, no board outline file was included in the fabrication ZIP, meaning that BAC doesn't know what shape of board to cut. Errors like this are easy to fix by uploading a new ZIP file with all of the required files and running DfM again. Second, a hole on an inner layer does not have a copper ring, meaning that a trace on that layer won't make a good electrical connection to the hole. This is a serious issue that needs to be fixed in the design before the board is manufactured.		The second image in the above slideshow shows a failing DfM check. There are two major issues: first, no board outline file was included in the fabrication ZIP, meaning that BAC doesn't know what shape of board to cut. Errors like this are easy to fix by uploading a new ZIP file with all of the required files and running DfM again. Second, a hole on an inner layer does not have a copper ring, meaning that a trace on that layer won't make a good electrical connection to the hole. This is a serious issue that needs to be fixed in the design before the board is manufactured.
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	=== Ordering Components ===		=== Ordering Components ===
			'''This is generally a time-consuming process; [[BOMSquad]] is in development to simplify it but at present there's a decent amount of manual labor involved. Make sure you allocate time accordingly'''

			Open your BoM Excel file (in either Excel or Google Sheets).


	=== Ordering a Stencil ===		=== Ordering a Stencil ===

Smaldonado: /* SSI.OutJob */ defucked square bracket

2018-10-08T09:03:11Z

SSI.OutJob: defucked square bracket

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:03, 8 October 2018
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	* Bill of Materials-[board].xls		* Bill of Materials-[board].xls

	You can safely ignore all of the other files (i.e. [board].apr], which are generated automatically and can't be suppressed but are not needed to manufacture a board.		You can safely ignore all of the other files (i.e. [board].apr), which are generated automatically and can't be suppressed but are not needed to manufacture a board.

	For fabrication, you'll need to create a ZIP file containing all of the above files, except for the GTP/GTP files and the Excel spreadsheet (.xls). Make sure you specifically check the file extensions; several text files will be generated but there will only be one [board].txt file, which is your drill file. Give the ZIP a presentable, descriptive name that ends with "Gerbers" - it's going to be sent to a manufacturer. Also make sure you add the ZIP specifically to SVN so there's a record of exactly what was sent to the manufacturer.		For fabrication, you'll need to create a ZIP file containing all of the above files, except for the GTP/GTP files and the Excel spreadsheet (.xls). Make sure you specifically check the file extensions; several text files will be generated but there will only be one [board].txt file, which is your drill file. Give the ZIP a presentable, descriptive name that ends with "Gerbers" - it's going to be sent to a manufacturer. Also make sure you add the ZIP specifically to SVN so there's a record of exactly what was sent to the manufacturer.

Smaldonado: /* Putting It All Together */ clarified that other manufacturers also do DfM, but they do it differently

2018-10-08T09:02:10Z

Putting It All Together: clarified that other manufacturers also do DfM, but they do it differently

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:02, 8 October 2018
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	=== PCB Fabrication ===		=== PCB Fabrication ===
	''This guide assumes you're ordering from Bay Area Circuits. For other manufacturers, ~~some of~~ the process will be different, though you will still ultimately provide your manufacturer with your ZIP of Gerber files''		''This guide assumes you're ordering from Bay Area Circuits. For other manufacturers, the DfM process will be different, though you will still ultimately provide your manufacturer with your ZIP of Gerber files''

	The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:		The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:

Smaldonado: Finished DfM section

2018-10-08T09:00:53Z

Finished DfM section

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:00, 8 October 2018
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	The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:		The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:

	~~[[File:InstantDfM.png\|Passing DfM results.]]~~
	~~[[File:InstantDfMfail.png\|DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.]]~~

	<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>		<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>
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	File:InstantDfMfail.png\|DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.		File:InstantDfMfail.png\|DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			The goal is to always be within BAC's standard capabilities - this minimizes the risk of manufacturing errors and shortens production time. Small deviations (like the 0.01 mil deviation shown) come from rounding errors during the Altium export process and can be safely ignored. If truly necessary, features requiring the advanced capabilities can be produced; however this should be avoided if possible.

			The second image in the above slideshow shows a failing DfM check. There are two major issues: first, no board outline file was included in the fabrication ZIP, meaning that BAC doesn't know what shape of board to cut. Errors like this are easy to fix by uploading a new ZIP file with all of the required files and running DfM again. Second, a hole on an inner layer does not have a copper ring, meaning that a trace on that layer won't make a good electrical connection to the hole. This is a serious issue that needs to be fixed in the design before the board is manufactured.

			If your board meaningfully fails DfM for design reasons, you will need to fix the error in Altium and then repeat the outjob and DfM process. This can take some time, particularly if there are multiple issues, so make sure to budget time for DfM ('''especially the first time you release a board'''). In industrial applications, for complicated boards, it's not unheard of for a design team to spend a week verifying manufacturability; SSI designs usually pass within a few hours, and less than an hour if there are no serious problems on the first attempt.

			Once you have a ZIP that passes DfM, download the InstantDfM PDF report and add it into your fabrication ZIP (to show BAC that a passing DfM was run on that board). Commit that final ZIP to the SVN, and then message {{slack-channel\|altium}} asking for your board to be released and with a link to your ZIP. The SSI BAC contact will give your board a final once-over and then send it out for manufacture - either that same day or as part of the next batch. Once that's done, your board is out of your hands! It'll be back in your hands in physical form in about a week. Congratulations!

	=== Ordering Components ===		=== Ordering Components ===

	=== Ordering a Stencil ===		=== Ordering a Stencil ===

Smaldonado: /* PCB Fabrication */ fix to get files

2018-10-08T08:45:52Z

PCB Fabrication: fix to get files

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:45, 8 October 2018
Line 65:		Line 65:

	The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:		The first step in getting your board ordered is a manufacturability check, to verify you have all of the required files and the manufacturer can read them and actually make the board they describe. Bay Area Circuits (BAC) has a Design for Manufacturability (DfM) tool that automatically reads and interprets fabrication ZIPs to make sure the boards have a full set of files and can be built. Go to the [http://instantdfm.bayareacircuits.com InstantDfM] page and follow the instructions to upload your fabrication ZIP. Once you submit, you'll have to wait usually around 10 minutes (shorter for simpler boards, longer for more complicated/four-layer boards) for processing. You'll be emailed a link when your board has finished being evaluated. The link will go to a page like the first below:

			[[File:InstantDfM.png\|Passing DfM results.]]
			[[File:InstantDfMfail.png\|DfM missing a file and failing manufacturability checks.]]

	<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>		<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>

Smaldonado: Adding DfM section

2018-10-08T08:45:11Z

Adding DfM section

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 File:outjob_no_BOM.png|OutJob configured to skip BoM generation
 </gallery>
 This outjob has the "Generate Manufacturing Files" option selected on the right side and has all three outputs - Gerbers, a drill file, and an Excel bill of materials - enabled. From here, either click the "Generate content" button under "Generate Manufacturing Files" or hit the F9 key, and Altium will produce output files (yes, it is that simple!). Outputs will be placed in your project folder inside of a new subfolder called "Fabrication Outputs." Generating all of the output files takes generally about 1 minute.
 If you're in a hurry (BoM generation takes about 75% of the output file generation time) or for some other reason just want to generate Gerber and drill files and not an Excel BoM, you can disable BoM generation by clicking the little numbered circle in the Bill of Materials row. Your screen will look like the second image in the above slideshow with BoM generation disabled. To reenable BoM generation, just click the circle again.

Smaldonado: Added how to use outjob

2018-10-08T08:07:48Z

Added how to use outjob

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:07, 8 October 2018
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	# A collection of Gerber files (and a text file) to send to Bay Area Circuits (or another PCB manufacturer)		# A collection of Gerber files (and a text file) to send to Bay Area Circuits (or another PCB manufacturer)
	# A smaller collection of Gerber files to send to OSHStencils		# A smaller collection of Gerber files to send to OSHStencils
	# An Excel spreadsheet to upload to Digikey (or manually order from other vendors)		# An Excel spreadsheet (called a Bill of Materials, or BoM) to upload to Digikey (or manually order from other vendors)

	Luckily, we have a system for producing all of the above! Enter the '''outjob'''.		Luckily, we have a system for producing all of the above! Enter the '''outjob'''.
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	Master copies of the outjobs are in the SVN at {{svn-repo\|altium-core/libraries/outjobs}}. Outjobs are also automatically included in the PCB project templates at {{svn-repo\|altium-core/libraries/templates}}. If you didn't start from a project template (doing so next time will make your life easier), '''make a copy''' of the outjob you want to use and paste it into your project folder. Making a copy is important so that your project doesn't break on other people's computers or as people update the master copies of the outjobs (which your board may not be properly configured for). '''Make sure to pick the outjob that correspond's with your board's layer count. SSI.OutJob is for 2-layer boards, and SSI-4-LAYER.OutJob is for 4-layer boards. Picking the wrong outjob may result in your board coming back without the inner layers it should have or with two extra inner layers.''' Once you've copied the outjob, in the Projects pane in Altium, right click your project and select "Add Existing to Project" and in the window that comes up, select your copy of the outjob. You should now see a "Settings" folder under your project in the Projects pane with an "Output Jobs" folder within it (see right).		Master copies of the outjobs are in the SVN at {{svn-repo\|altium-core/libraries/outjobs}}. Outjobs are also automatically included in the PCB project templates at {{svn-repo\|altium-core/libraries/templates}}. If you didn't start from a project template (doing so next time will make your life easier), '''make a copy''' of the outjob you want to use and paste it into your project folder. Making a copy is important so that your project doesn't break on other people's computers or as people update the master copies of the outjobs (which your board may not be properly configured for). '''Make sure to pick the outjob that correspond's with your board's layer count. SSI.OutJob is for 2-layer boards, and SSI-4-LAYER.OutJob is for 4-layer boards. Picking the wrong outjob may result in your board coming back without the inner layers it should have or with two extra inner layers.''' Once you've copied the outjob, in the Projects pane in Altium, right click your project and select "Add Existing to Project" and in the window that comes up, select your copy of the outjob. You should now see a "Settings" folder under your project in the Projects pane with an "Output Jobs" folder within it (see right).

	Once you have the outjob in your project and are ready to export files, open the outjob by double-clicking on it from the Projects pane.		Once you have the outjob in your project and are ready to export files, open the outjob by double-clicking on it from the Projects pane. This will produce a screen like the first one below:

			<gallery mode="slideshow" widths=750px>
			File:outjob.png\|OutJob configured for all outputs
			File:outjob_no_BOM.png\|OutJob configured to skip BoM generation
			</gallery>

			This outjob has the "Generate Manufacturing Files" option selected on the right side and has all three outputs - Gerbers, a drill file, and an Excel bill of materials - enabled. From here, either click the "Generate content" button under "Generate Manufacturing Files" or hit the F9 key, and Altium will produce output files (yes, it is that simple!). Outputs will be placed in your project folder inside of a new subfolder called "Fabrication Outputs." Generating all of the output files takes generally about 1 minute.

			If you're in a hurry (BoM generation takes about 75% of the output file generation time) or for some other reason just want to generate Gerber and drill files and not an Excel BoM, you can disable BoM generation by clicking the little numbered circle in the Bill of Materials row. Your screen will look like the second image in the above slideshow with BoM generation disabled. To reenable BoM generation, just click the circle again.