[Elecraft] Custom PC Boards

Thu Dec 19 11:16:01 2002

Hi

The Q-CAD program I mentioned in my previous post will generate Gerber files
as will as several others. It also makes nice 1:1 prints on my printer that
could be used with the dry transfer home etching products. This program has
single layer, multilayer (up to 256 layers) plated through holes and ground
planes. It has a good autorouter. The procedure is draw your schematic with
the schematic program then run the part placement program to size the board
and place the parts where you want them. Run the autorouter to connect
everything up. Use hand rout to clean up anything and add any text to the
board. And finally run the draw program to make the Gerber files or print
the hard copies.

Any pc cad program is only as good as the part library. You don't want to
spend all of your time drawing part outlines. This program has a good
library similar to Orcad and the part create program is very easy to use but
you won't need it much as the run of the mill parts are already there.

There are some better programs out there but they cost a lot more (2 to 10
kilo bucks) for $95 it's a bargain (the price went up it was $60 a few month
ago but it has been extensively upgraded in the last few months)

Don Brown

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob - AG5Q" <[email protected]>
To: "Elecraft (E-mail)" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Custom PC Boards

> I downloaded the expresspcb software and it's nice.
> It looks quite suitable for small two layer boards. Unfortunately they
can't
> handle multilayer boards.
>
> I haven't submitted a job to expresspcb yet but it appears they do not
> require gerber files. I like this feature since I never have made gerber
> files.  Other pcb fabs do require them.
>
> Does anyone know of a good tutorial on creating gerber files?  I'd like to
> learn more about them in case I  need a multilayer board. Also, any
> recommendations for reasonable cost software than can handle multilayer
> boards?
>
> 73/ Bob - AG5Q
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Barker" <[email protected]>
> To: "Elecraft (E-mail)" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 8:57 AM
> Subject: FW: [Elecraft] Custom PC Boards
>
>
> > Try  http://www.expresspcb.com/news.htm.
> >
> > They have some wonderful FREE software to layout the boards, and will
> > produce boards at a reasonable cost.
> >
> > Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [email protected]
> > [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Byron Tatum
> > Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 9:30 AM
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: [Elecraft] Custom PC Boards
> >
> >
> > Hello-
> >     I do not intend to be off topic, but wanted to ask list members who
> > would they recommend for a custom PC board supplier.
> >     I have artwork for the board, and the board is not a complex plated
> > through holes, etc. type - it is a simple double sided board with areas
> > etched larger on component side { around component lead holes} and
solder
> > masked. Quantity of boards could be 25 to 50 or so needed.
> >     Thank you, Byron WA5THJ.
> >
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> >
>
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