PCB files are the backbone of today’s electronics industry. PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board, and PCB files contain all the necessary information to design, manufacture and assemble a PCB. As a result, PCBs are required in virtually every electronic device, from watches to computers and even space satellites. From hobbyists building their circuits to large-scale production companies making thousands of boards daily, PCB files play an important role in getting products off the ground quickly and efficiently.
With technological advancements, PCB designers now have access to powerful tools that allow them to create sophisticated designs easily. Understanding how these files work is essential for anyone using modern PCB design capabilities. PCB files typically include a schematic, PCB layout, bill of materials (BOM), and detailed instructions on assembling the PCB. This information is critical for PCB designers to ensure their PCBs are correctly designed, built and tested before they reach production. With the right tools and knowledge, PCB design can be mastered quickly and easily! In Viasion, We will analyze your PCB files carefully and meticulously.
Different Formats of PCB Files
Gerber Files
Gerber files are the most commonly used PCBs files. Gerber files usually contains pattens of every layers of a printed circuit board, including copper trace layer, solder mask layer, silkscreen layer, drill layer and outline layers.
The Gerber file format is designed to read and interpret easily, allowing for quick and accurate PCB manufacturing. Gerber files are essential to the PCB design process and cannot be ignored when designing a modern printed circuit board. Additionally, Gerber files provide other helpful information, such as drill data and tooling paths which enable more precise assembly.
PCB Design Data File
PCB Design Data File is a standard format for describing PCB layout in electronic design automation (EDA) software. It consists of all the necessary information for PCB fabrication and assembly, such as copper layers, solder masks, silk screen layers etc. It is impossible to manufacture PCBs precisely without accurate and complete PCB Design Data Files.
PCB CAD Library Files
PCB CAD Library Files are designed data files containing a library of commonly used PCB components and footprints. This type of file is typically used by PCB designers when creating complex PCBs with multiple layers, as it allows them to quickly access the parts they need for their designs without making them from scratch. With PCB CAD Library Files, PCB designers can save time and effort while ensuring accuracy in their designs. Additionally, these files help ensure compatibility between different EDA software packages so that the same design can easily be shared across multiple platforms.
IPC-2581 PCB Fabrication Outputs
IPC-2581 PCB Fabrication Outputs are a set of PCB data files that provide the information PCB manufacturers require to manufacture and assemble PCBs. It is an open standard developed by the IPC organization to provide PCB designers and manufacturers with a unified approach for exchanging PCB fabrication data. The specification includes all necessary details such as copper layers, solder mask, silk screen layer etc., allowing designers to quickly share their designs without worrying about compatibility issues due to different formats of PCB data files.
ODB++ PCB Fabrication Outputs
ODB++ PCB Fabrication Outputs is an advanced PCB data format providing a comprehensive information set for fabrication and assembly. The IPC organization has developed it as an open standard to enable PCB designers and manufacturers to quickly share their designs without worrying about compatibility issues due to the different formats of PCB data files. ODB++ PCB Fabrication Outputs include all necessary details such as copper layers, solder mask, silk screen layer etc., allowing designers to ensure accuracy in their designs while saving time and effort for both designers and manufacturers alike.
HPGL Plotter File Format (PLT)
HPGL Plotter File Format (PLT) is a PCB file format that provides PCB designers and manufacturers an efficient way to exchange PCB fabrication data. Developed by the IPC organization, PLT files give all necessary information, such as copper layers, solder masks, silk screen layers etc., allowing PCB designers to quickly share their designs without worrying about compatibility issues due to different formats PCB data files.
- EAGLE Layout and Schematic Symbols Libraries Files (SCHLIB & SYMLIB)
- EAGLE Layout and Schematic Symbols Libraries Files (SCHLIB & SYMLIB) are PCB files developed by the IPC organization as an open standard for PCB designers and manufacturers to quickly share their designs without worrying about compatibility issues due to different formats of PCB data files. In addition, these PCB files provide all necessary details, such as copper layers, solder masks, silk screen layers etc., allowing PCB designers to ensure accuracy in their designs while saving time and effort for both designers and manufacturers alike.
- Protel PCB Design Software File Formats (.PcbDoc, .SchDoc, .Ddb)
- Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise PCB Board Layout Data (.BRD)
- Altium Designer Native Circuit Board Database Format (.PCBDOC)
