What are the documents needed to submit for making pcb

[nesan]

I have designed a patch antenna with the great help from edaboard and now I have doubt in what are the things I should be submitting to pcb manufacturing persons for making my patch antenna in PCB

 

[ctzof]

I have designed a patch antenna with the great help from edaboard and now I have doubt in what are the things I should be submitting to pcb manufacturing persons for making my patch antenna in PCB

The files you are submitting are called Gerber files and they are divided in various sections depending on how many layers you have on your board. For example if you are working with Altium for a 4-layer board you need TOP PASTE, TOP SOLDER, TOP OVERLAY (when you need designators), BOTTOM PASTE, BOTTOM SOLDER, BOTTOM OVERLAY (when you need again designators), MID LAYER1, MID LAYER2. Along with these files you also need drill file for the vias and holes on the PCB. The procedure depends on the CAD tool you are using. There are other formats that you can use like OBD++ but Gerber files is the most common one.

 

[nesan]

I have two layers and a feed and two gerber files but when I convert them into pdf there is only dark picture in black colur how they identify dimensions?

 

[ctzof]

I have two layers and a feed and two gerber files but when I convert them into pdf there is only dark picture in black colur how they identify dimensions?

You dont have to convert them to pdf. There is a certain format that is used most of the time these are .cam files and generated automatically by the CAD tool when you make the correct configuration with the layers as I described in the previous post. Check out this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2FVH5szE6s

It describes pretty good what you want.

 

[ArticCynda]

You'll need to export Gerbers for all copper layers, both solder mask layers, and both text overlays. Some manufacturers also require the board outline on a separate Gerber layer. Aside from Gerbers, you'll also need to export NC Drill files for the holes.

Some manufacturers allow you to send in projects directly.

 

[Torshammer]

Since you are designing an antenna, I would not place solder mask layer on top of the metal layer. This might alter the antenna properties.

 

[kozacy]

yes, you just need to sent the gerber file and specifiction to the pcb fabricators. Mostly the software used is CAM 350 or Genesis 2000 It is easy to get the dimension. You dont need to make a pdf file.
You know I am in this industry. Be honest, most sales have little knowledge about it. Some of them even do not know how to check the gerber . And dimension is necessary when quotationg.
And you can tell wether the person you are contacting with is professional.If he or she even do not know how to get the dimension then …… Take care!