What needs to be in the zip file:
Instructions for Gerber files, but Protel also accepted
If you have any questions, feel free to post to our pcb forum or email pcb at CuriousInventor. We're in beta mode so please let us know if anything's confusing or incorrect.
Include the following in a file called design_name.zip:
(where design name is your project name)- contact.txt - name, address, phone, email
- design_name.top - where the metal should go on the top of the board
- design_name.bot - where the metal should go on the bottom of the board
- design_name.smb - where the solder mask should go on the bottom (if you want it)
- design_name.smt - where the solder mask should go on the top (if you want it)
- design_name.ssb - where the silk screen should go on the bottom (if you want it)
- design_name.sst - where the silk screen should go on the top (if you want it)
- design_name.drd - drill instructions (can also take .drl)
- design_name.oln - board outline
- design_name.gpi - this is usually not needed, but zip it up if you have it (contains gerber info).
If you don't use the above file extensions (.top, .bot, .smb, etc...), you need to include the meaning of each file in the contact.txt file
A Few Suggestions:
- Keep at least 2mm around the edge of the board free of copper.
- Make sure minimum clearance of 7 mils (.007") between metal is maintained, and that no traces are smaller than 7 mils. We'll be supplying a Design Rule Check file soon so you can automatically check this. A real person looks at every file, so we'll let you know if there are any problems, but this could delay your order.
- Use vector fonts for silk screen text to make sure the text comes out the same way it looks within Eagle.
How to Generate the Above Files using Eagle:
Eagle is a great schematic and board design software program, and if you're making small boards for non-profit, it's completely free. We recommend downloading their manual (manual-eng.pdf) and reading the secion about preparing manufacturing data if you want more customization or information.
We'll be adding tutorials soon, but for now, if you designed your board in Eagle and used standard layer names, simply download CuriousInventor.cam, and place it in the Eagle/cam direction.
Then go to File -> CAM Processor to open the program within Eagle that generates manufacturing data. Within the CAM Processor, open the CuriousInventor.cam file (File -> Open -> Job -> CuriousInventor.cam).
Click process job. Then just zip up the resulting files along with your contact.txt file into design_name.zip, where "design_name" is your project name.