Events following: Who can make me some Gerber files for a tiny pc board?

[Gerald D]

Hi All

As you know, I work in AutoCad, and the electronics world is rather foreign to me. I would like to have some tiny pc boards made here in Cape Town by http://www.printedcircuitboards.co.za/, but they don't accept AutoCad dxf's - they want "gerber" files.

My dxf is as follows:
4215
(millimeters, drawing frame removed and notes added)

Basically I need a way to attach 2 shielded cables to this component (http://www.gscsystems.com/ftp_files/down.php?filename=680-10%20Data%20Sheet%20Rev%205.0.pdf). It all gets "potted" in a plastic box afterwards.

Can anyone help me with Gerbers please?

Thanks

Gerald

[jhiggins7]

Hi Gerald,

I've never produced a Gerber File for a real product, but I have played around with Eagle which is a "free" circuit design software which produces Gerber Files.

If no one else volunteers, I'll give it a shot.

Let me know if you would like me to try to produce the Gerber files.

Regards,
John

[domino11]

Gerald,
Is this intended to be a two sided pcb with the other side a ground plane? (all copper, except for the holes) Your shield connection from the cable only shows it going to a plated hole? Should this shield not get connected somewhere?

[Gerald D]

Single sided only. The shields are for mechanical strength only - those big holes are only to "anchor" the cables.

[MattyZee]

Hi Gerald, John,

If you have any trouble John, let me know and i can give it a shot. I've used Eagle to create a few personal PCBs and got them made by www.batchpcb.com.

Let me know if you need any help.

Cheers

[PEU]

How many of these boards do you need? If you need a few I can try to make them with my cnc mill and an engraving bit.

[Gerald D]

Thanks for all the offers everyone. Have got someone in Australia who is going to do it for me.

[Gerald D]

Some feedback:

The Aussie files were good and have the production quote. Setup $28, production 30 boards on one panel (scored for snapping) $54.

[jhiggins7]

About $3 per board for a small production run...GREAT!

[Gerald D]

Received the product today and started chatting about CNC routers. The PC board production company has been investigating the upgrade of their CNC routers because they have problems getting spares and support. They are tempted to go a typical PC - BOB - Gecko route but are unsure what to do about importing Gerber files. Mach3 will not do it.

Bear in mind that their business is built on clients supplying Gerbers......whatever they use instead of Mach3 has to be totally Gerber friendly and well supported.

Is there an industry standard setup for DIY printed circuit board routers? Is it DeskCNC?

[Jan de Ruyter]

Hi Gerald,
We have a guy here in PTA that does the job as well, using pdf files, same day service.

www.cboards.co.za (no endorsement)

It appears your Aussie guy is cheaper, but more hassle. They have some links as well, ExpressPCB seems the easiest software to use.

Jan