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Gerber files?

brandon7861

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Nov 28, 2018
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I want to design a board and have maybe 30 made, but I haven't the slightest clue where to begin. I can draw it in GIMP or MSPaint but I have no idea how to get it in the form needed for manufacture. Ideally, I would like to pay someone a small fee to turn my bmp/tif image into a gerber file. Is there anyone here with those skills willing to help?

The board will be fairly simple, plain old 2 layer, about a dozen ground vias, and maybe 25 SMD components. half an inch wide maybe 4 inches long. Anyone interested in the project can PM me for more details.
 
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Path of least resistance might be www.expresspcb.com

They supply a fairly-intuitive PC CAD program. Has enough parts in the library for me. Downside is the file format it produces is poprietary. You upload it to them as one function of the CAD . It lets you "test" the design and see a price quote before placing an order. Likewise if it violates any of their design rules, this gets pointed out.

I started using them over 25 years ago. They're not as cheap as the chinese sources. But if you choose the option ExpressPCB will supply a ZIP file with all the needed Gerber/Excellon files after they receive the order. When I submit that file to JLCPCB in China, they accept it just fine.

It's a kinda demented sort of work flow, but I draw up the board with Express' CAD. Buy the somewhat-expensive prototype batch of boards from them. If it passes muster, I use the Gerber-etc ZIP file to buy chinese boards for a fraction of the price USA outfits get.

One other bonus. ExpressPCB also has a schematic CAD for freebies.

73
 
I want to design a board and have maybe 30 made, but I haven't the slightest clue where to begin. I can draw it in GIMP or MSPaint but I have no idea how to get it in the form needed for manufacture. Ideally, I would like to pay someone a small fee to turn my bmp/tif image into a gerber file. Is there anyone here with those skills willing to help?

The board will be fairly simple, plain old 2 layer, about a dozen ground vias, and maybe 25 SMD components. half an inch wide maybe 4 inches long. Anyone interested in the project can PM me for more details.
for a simple job like that I would use Sprint layout.
 
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I think my plans changed.

I wanted to start making active probes using the BF998s and a little amp to bring the gain back up to unity, but the 998's are now unobtanium. I wanted to offer them here to members at cost, but that cost is getting too high. I bought 50 feet of RG178 and 29 BF998's from rf parts and some amphenol BNC's from digikey and Im already $200 into it, so I think the few I do make, Ill just etch my own boards.

Im clearly not mass producing that design if successful and I dont care to design a different one, so the idea is pretty much dead.

Thanks though.
 
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I think my plans changed.

I wanted to start making active probes using the BF998s and a little amp to bring the gain back up to unity, but the 998's are now unobtanium. I wanted to offer them here to members at cost, but that cost is getting too high. I bought 50 feet of RG178 and 29 BF998's from rf parts and some amphenol BNC's from digikey and Im already $200 into it, so I think the few I do make, Ill just etch my own boards.

Im clearly not mass producing that design if successful and I dont care to design a different one, so the idea is pretty much dead.

Thanks though.
Ok , I hear you. I most always use Altium at work these days for designs. For simple things use Sprint layout , its faster. Kicad is a good option also. With Kicad you make schematic then PCB. With Sprint Layout is straight to PCB
 
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Ok , I hear you. I most always use Altium at work these days for designs. For simple things use Sprint layout , its faster. Kicad is a good option also. With Kicad you make schematic then PCB. With Sprint Layout is straight to PCB
I tried nomads suggestion but the software didnt like my linux system. I could use my laptop but havent got to it. I did find a free program to do it in linux that outputs gerber files but i need to learn how to use it. I will look into that sprint thing too this week if i get time.

Ill probably make a half dozen probe boards and keep the rest of the mosfets for other stuff. I still need to order those little round amps that look like transistors and a few SMD RF chokes. The idea was to have a switch that bypasses the second amp so they could be unity gain or -15dB for the more sensitive counters. Its a busy time right now, cutting firewood and other chores. Winter is coming lol.
 


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