[MOVED] Clarification about details of Gerber file and its significance

[hari_preetha]

I have some following doubts regarding on the Gerber files

(1) Why do we need to generate Gerber file for PCB design
(2) Whatever we generating layout, is it not sufficient for PCB design
(3) What is the significance of generating Gerber file for PCB design
(4) When we generate the Gerber file, it generates the following files
(1) cond.gbr
(2) cond2.gbr
(3) hole.gbr
(4) bond.gbr
(5) leads.gbr
(6) packages.gbr
(7) solder_mask.gbr

I know the meaning cond,cond2, and hole, but I don't know the meaning remaining of bond.gbr,leads.gbr,packages.gbr,solder.gbr.

(5) What is the use and significance of the remaining following Gerber files
(1) bond.gbr
(2) leads.gbr
(3) packages.gbr
(4) packages.gbr
Do we require above all files for PCB design.

Can you clarify above doubts.

 

[andre_luis]

Re: Clarification about details of Gerber file and its significance

Why do we need to generate Gerber file for PCB design

In short words, gerber files are sequentiated instructions to feed into distinct automated machines perform taks such as: plot the stencil, drill holes on specific positions of the board, draw silkscreen designators, etc...

 

[Mattylad]

You have to create manufacturing files because the manufacturers do not have all PCB packages.

So your choices of manufacturing files are limited to universal formats that they can read.

These are ODB++ and Gerber. There are a few others.

With a Gerber file you need to produce RS274-X format files for each layer;
top silkscreen, top solder paste, top solder resist, top elec, bottom elec, bottom sodler resist, bottom solder paste, bottom solkscreen etc depending upon if they are needed for your design.

What they are called makes no difference if they are all in RS274-x format, some programs name each layer differently with a different extension, some allow you to name them depending upon the layer but with the same extension - it matters not a lot.

Your list of gerber files do not mean a lot unless we actually have the files (or more info about them() to know what they are.

Along with Gerbers you need drill files, netlist etc.

Research ODB++ and ou will find it is produced with a single archived file (*.tgz) that contains a lot more than the Gerbers.

 

[marce]

Gerber files are exclusively artwork files, nothing more, they are a visible artwork of the required copper pattern for a particular layer...That is it, no intelligence no other information.
With Gerbers you need to also have an excellon drill file (or files) with the NC drill data for the board.
You can also send an IPC-D-356 netlist file for bare board testing.
Gerbers are old and prehistoric and should have gone the way of the dinosaurs years ago.....ODB++ is much better to use.