Manufacturing data and documentation
The final step decides whether the factory builds what the layout says: production and assembly data, exported in exactly the format your manufacturer requires.
Gerber X2 and ODB++
Gerber has been the de facto standard for decades: every manufacturer processes it, and because the files contain only the manufacturing geometry, the data protects your intellectual property. The details differ from factory to factory, however: metric or imperial, decimal places, suppressed leading zeros. MHD clarifies your manufacturer's specifications and configures the export accordingly.
On request MHD supplies ODB++, which additionally integrates circuit information, test points and data for functional testing.
Drill data
- Through holes: plated (PTH) and non-plated (NPTH), for mounting holes and connectors for example
- HDI technologies: blind and buried vias, laser-drilled microvias, via-in-pad, often the only way for compact BGA packages
- Documented in agreement with the manufacturer and fully captured in the data
HDI adds cost, but can be more economical than additional layers. Weighing this up is part of preparing the data.
Pick & Place and bills of materials
Pick-and-place machines read the position of every component from the pick-and-place data and align the board using fiducials. The formatting follows the machine specification of your EMS provider.
- Order BOM for purchasing: identical components grouped, with quantities
- Assembly list for engineering purposes, such as hand assembly of prototypes
- Export in Excel format to your company standard
Specifications, panels and tests
Some base materials absorb moisture and undergo a controlled moisture bake-out before assembly; impedance-controlled boards need a specification including test traces at the fabricator. Added to this are panel data and depanelisation, documents for AOI, in-circuit and flying-probe tests, and the integration and commissioning documentation for programmable devices.
The outcome
Step 04 ends with your manufacturer holding everything needed for production.
- Gerber X2 or ODB++ exactly to the manufacturer's specification
- NC drill data with documented via technologies
- Pick-and-place data, order BOM and assembly list in the format you require
- PCB specification and test documents
Manufacturing data at MHD
The questions that come up most often in initial consultations about this step.
Gerber or ODB++: which do you recommend?
Gerber X2 as the standard: every manufacturer processes it, and the data protects your intellectual property because it carries no circuit information. ODB++ is worthwhile when test points and test data are to be integrated.
How do you know my manufacturer's specifications?
MHD obtains the technology specifications directly from the manufacturer and handles the coordination, from data formatting to documentation of the via technologies.
What is the difference between the order BOM and the assembly list?
The order BOM groups identical components with quantities for purchasing; the assembly list shows every component individually for engineering purposes, such as hand assembly of prototypes. You receive both, in Excel format to your standard.
Do you also supply data for testing and commissioning?
Yes: documents for AOI, in-circuit and flying-probe tests, plus integration and commissioning documentation where programmable devices need to be flashed.
Our layout comes from another service provider. Will you do Step 04 only?
Yes. Every step of the process can be commissioned individually. MHD also generates the complete production and assembly data from existing layouts.
From layout to manufacturing
Step 04 delivers the data your manufacturer works with directly.