Gerber Exports and Manufacturing Files
PCB manufacturers need a specific set of files to prepare your design for fabrication and assembly. These files are used to create instructions for modern equipment and tooling required for PCB manufacturing.
Overview
The PCB manufacturing process consists of two main stages: bare board fabrication and then assembly. There are four sets of files required for board fabrication:
Gerber files: These files are used to create photomasks and solder paste stencils that will be used for board fabrication and assembly. Each layer will have its own Gerber file that shows copper features, drills, and solder mask/paste mask openings.
- File extension: .gbr
NC drill file: This file contains drilling instructions that can be used to program a CNC drilling machine. Flux will generate this file with your Gerber files. It is also possible to create an NC drill file from your Gerber files using PCB CAM software.
- File extensions: .drl
Bill of materials (BOM): The BOM contains a list of each unique component, reference designators assigned to each component, and the quantities of each component. A complete bill of materials will also contain manufacturer part numbers and sourcing information from a distributor.
- File extensions: .csv
Pick-and-place file: This file contains the location of all components in the PCB. Assembly equipment will use the location data in this file to place each component on the board before soldering.
- File extensions: .csv
Netlist file: The IPC-D-356 standard is a format used in the electronics industry to convey netlist information, commonly for bare board electrical test purposes. It provides a standardized way to describe the connectivity of PCBs.
- File extensions: .d356
After your board is manufactured, you can choose to ship it and assemble it yourself. Alternatively, if you would also like your board assembled by the manufacturer (or another company), the following additional files are required.
PCB Manufacturing Files Export
To access the manufacturing file export feature:
- Open the Flux menu in the top left corner
- Navigate to the Export option
- Inside this menu, you'll see options to export the file sets listed above
Additional File Exports
Flux supports a few additional exports:
- 3D model: Generates a file with the 3D view of the PCB layout. This option is only visible in the PCB Editor's 3D view.
- File extension: .stl
What's Next
Now that you understand how to export manufacturing files from Flux, you might want to explore:
- PCB Routing Tutorial - Learn how to route your PCB before exporting
- Design Rule Check (DRC) - Ensure your design is ready for manufacturing
- Layout Rules Reference - Understand how to use rules to control your PCB design
- Vias Reference - Learn about different via types for your PCB design