Aperture Information
This is a text file describing the size and shape of each element on the board. These are also known as a D-code lists. These lists are not necessary if your files are saved as Extended Gerber with embedded Apertures (RS274X).

Board Thickness
Our standard base thickness is 1/16 inch, which is also called out as 0.062" or 0.059". We also offer the following thickness on PCBpro: 0.031", 0.093", and 0.125". If you require a thickness other than those listed above, please go to contact us page and click on the 'I Have Special Needs' button under the subject line. This will help to expedite your request.

Technical information on our laminates can be found at: ISOLA

Clearances
To prevent shorting, ground and power layer clearances need to be .035” larger than the finish hole size for the inner layers. This allows for registration, drilling, and plating tolerances.

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Component Side
In order to prevent building a board inside out, we must be able to identify the correct orientation of your design. It is important to clearly identify the “Component”, “layer 1”, or “top” layer. These should read in facing up, with all other layers lining up as though looking through the board from the topside.

Copper
Copper foil, base copper, finished copper, copper thickness are all terms used to specify the amount of copper needed for the design. The weight of copper is given as ounces (oz) of copper per square foot of material, or thickness of the copper. For a comparison each “oz” is .0012”-.0014” thick. A drawing may list “starting copper”, “base” copper, “finished copper”, or “copper thickness”.

For our purposes, our instant quote form lists the approximate minimum “Finished copper” weight (ounce per foot/sq). This number is lower than some rounded finish copper measurements you may have seen because we account for some copper removal and platting inconsistencies during the manufacturing process. (i.e. 1.5oz instead of 2oz, or 2.5oz instead of 3oz).

Cut lines
A cut line is what we are going to use to program our router with. It represents the outer dimensions of your board. We need this so the board will be the size you want it. Our router has a +/- .005” tolerance. We ask for copper features to be .010” away from the cut line to prevent exposed copper at the board’s edge.

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Date/Lot Code (Design Check only)
Date/Lot codes are ways to identify when a board was manufactured. Some customers require a manufacturer's lot code or a manufacturing date to be placed on the board for future tracking purposes. Your drawing or Readme file needs to specify which of the two is required, and if it should be etched on the board or part of the Silkscreen layer.

Drawing or Print
A Drawing usually includes a drawing of the board outline with symbols marking individual drill sizes and corresponding board locations, dimensions, and any other pertinent manufacturing information unique to this order (copper weight, board thickness, stack-up specifics, etc.). We like to receive a print with each order.

Please Note: Any specifics that fall outside of PCBpro's manufacturing parameters will be ignored.

Drill File
This is an Excellon drill file (with X and Y axis coordinates and tool sizes). We require one that is viewable in any text editor.

Drill Tool Description
This is a text file describing drill tool number and corresponding size. Some reports also include quantity.

Please Note: All drill sizes will be interpreted as plated through finished sizes unless otherwise specified.

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Electrical Test
Used to test for opens and shorts. Recommended for all surface mount boards and multi-layers. Testing is currently available for the Design Check service only. If you would like testing using the Plot & Go, please explain your needs at the time of your order and special arrangements can be made.

If testing is required on a two-sided surface mount, then you will need a special test fixture that PCBpro cannot quote. Please go to our contact us page and click on the 'I have special needs' button under the subject line. In the comments mention that you need a 'clam shell' test fixture. This will help to expedite your request.

Excellon Drill File
This is a type of drill file that we accept. For more information, see drill file.

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Files: Gerber
Industry standard format for files used to generate artwork necessary for circuit board imaging. The preferred Gerber format is RS274X, which embeds the apertures within the specific files. The embedded apertures assign specific values to design data (specific pad size, trace width, etc.), and these values make up a D-code list.

When files are not saved as RS274X, a text file with values must be included ( the aperature list, or D-code list). These values may have to be hand-entered by our CAM operators. This slows down the process and increases the margin for human error. We may also add to the cost of the order depending on how long it takes us.

Files: Ivex
We can output the Gerber RS274X and Excellon Drill files from your Ivex .brd file. However, please note that it might take an extra day for your files to be converted by us and approved by you.

It is recommended you download Viewmate (www.lavenir.com), which is free software that enables you to preview your Gerber & drill files prior to submitting. This is a version of the software we use to prep your Gerber artwork and drill files.

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Gold & Gold Fingers
Gold fingers are the gold platted edge connectors on the circuit board. The distance between the outside edges of the outermost tabs is measured in linear inches (this distance is also known as tab length).

Currently, this option is available through PCBpro if you call 503-829-9108 x249.

HAL
Acronym for Hot Air Level, which is the process of putting solder on exposed copper of the circuit board.
Also known as a SMOBC which is an acronym for Solder Mask Over Bare Copper.

Inspection Guidelines
PCBpro uses the "IPC-A-600F" as a guidebook. To see the steps we take to ensure the quality of our boards, click here for more information.

Internal Power and Ground Layers
These are usually solid copper plains of a multiplayer board that carry power or are ground. Please generate these layers as negatives. Make any clearances on these layers .035” over the drill / tool size. This will prevent shorting from occurring with layer shifting on inner layers.

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Internal Signal Layers
These are the innerlayers . We will remove any pads that are not connected to traces on your internal signal layers in order to expedite the touch up process. Many customers send their files to us with this step already done, which helps to speed up the tooling process. If for any reason, you do not wish us to remove the extraneous pads, please clarify this in your readme file or special requirement note.

Layers
Please select the number of layers for your requested board. On-board text such as company name, logo, or part number that is oriented right-reading on the top layer can save a time-consuming phone call and potential hold up.

Layer Sequence
Please include a layer sequence for multilayer orders.

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Lead Time / Build Time
PCBpro operates on a 24-hour clock, 5-day week (weekends and holidays are not counted), and our cutoff time is 2 pm PST. Upon confirmation of your order, and file approval, the build time will begin.

For example:
An order placed on Tuesday with a 1-week build time request with files received BEFORE 2 pm PST. It will be treated as a 1-week order and will ship the following Tuesday.

However, an order is placed on Tuesday with a 1-week build time request and files are received AFTER 2 pm PST. An additional day will be added and it will ship the following Wednesday.

Also, if our pre-engineering department encounters problems/questions with your files, then it will effect your build time. If there are any problems, you will be contacted by email or you can contact files@pcbpro.com. You can also track the status of your order online in the MyPro Members page.

Minimum Traces & Spacing
Standard pricing applies to boards with lines and spaces 0.006" or greater. Tighter lines and spaces affect the final price of the board and can be produced in limited quantities.

If your requirements are below 0.006", please go to our contact us page and click on the 'I have special needs' button under the subject line and explain your needs in detail. This will help to expedite your request.

Number of Holes
This is the total number of holes in the board. It has an influence on price if it increases the total drilling time. Please be aware that prices might change if there is a significant difference in the number of holes.

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Number of Test Points
This helps determine the price of the fixture required to build the board. Please be aware that estimated prices might not be accurate if the exact number of test points is not entered. All quotes generated with incorrect number of holes might cause a change in the fixture cost.

Pad Sizes
Your pads need to be .017 larger than the finish tool size for outer layers. This allows us to drill .007 larger to allow for the plating process, .005 drill machine tolerance, and .005 registration tolerance.

Part Number
The name or number associated with your printed circuit board. We use your part number throughout the entire order process for your convenience. Please make sure that your part number is included with your drawings in your Readme file.

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Quantity
Enter in your desired quantity. This is used to generate the information in the Price Matrix price table. Since this is a required field, you must enter a number here.

If you do not know your desired quantity, enter in an approximate amount for pricing. At any time, you can choose any of the other prices in the Price Matrix for your desired needs.

Readme File
A text file included in the zip file, which provides necessary information needed to manufacture your order. Phone numbers or email addresses of designer or engineer contacts for this project should be included to expedite resolution of any potential manufacturing problems that could delay your order.

Below is a sample Readme:

01/26/01
ABC Company
P/N SR125 Rev A
Please build a quantity of 100 pieces of this 6-layer board. We are requesting 1/2-oz. base copper weight, 0.062" thick on FR4 material, green solder mask, and white legend.

The Gerber files included in this zip:

File Name (description):
SR125.CMP Layer 1 (component side)
SR125.gnd Layer 2 (ground layer)
SR125.IN1 Layer 3 (internal signal)
SR125.IN2 Layer 4 internal signal)
SR125.VCC Layer 5 (power layer)
SR125.SLD Layer 6 (solder side)
SR125.CSM (Component-side solder mask)
SR125.SSM (Solder-side solder mask)
SR125.TSK (Component-side silkscreen/nomenclature)
SR125.BSK (Solder-side silkscreen)
SR125.DRL (Excellon drill file)
SR125.TOL (Drill tool description)
SR125.APT (Aperture information)
SR125.DWG (Drawing or print)

Any technical questions can be referred to johndoe@abc.com (your email address).
My contact number is 555-555-1234 (your number).

Revision
If you have the same drawing number but updated revisions, please enter it here. This will avoid any confusion for manufacturing your desired boards. Please make sure that your revision number is included with your drawings in your Readme file.

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Silk Screen, Nomenclature, or Legend (Artwork)
White marking ink to identify components during later assembly and troubleshooting processes. Can be placed on one or two sides, depending on the board design and application. We can include your company logo if it is provided on the drawing specs.

Minimum line width for legible printing is 0.007". Anything smaller may result in missing or illegible marking on your boards.

Size X & Y
All dimensions are in inches. If your board is in metric, please convert to inches. Please note, our maximum X & Y configuration is 14" x 18". This means if the width (X) is 14", then the maximum length (Y) is 18".

If your require greater dimensions, please go to our contact us page and click on the 'I have special needs' button under the subject line and explain your needs in more detail. This will help to expedite your request.

Smallest Hole
This is the final size of the hole. We will select a drill larger than the specified hole size to allow for plating thickness. Hole sizes greater than 0.020" do not incur special costs. However, we can provide a hole down to 0.010" if desired, but this affects the overall price.

Please make sure that all of your holes are defined and included with your drawings in your Readme file.

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SMOBC
Acronym for Solder Mask Over Bare Copper. After boards have been coated with soldermask, the process of Hot Air Leveling will distribute solder to all areas of copper that are not covered by mask. (See HAL)

Solder Mask
Used to protect the board and circuitry during the assembly and packaging operations. Among other things, the solder mask helps prevents solder bridges between adjacent pads and traces during the wave soldering process. Liquid Photo-imageable (LPI) is our default process.

Solder Mask (Artwork)
Generate your soldermask artwork with a swell of 0.008" to 0.010" larger than the component and solder side pads. An alternative method with Design Check: you may generate your mask layer with the same size pads as your component and solder layers. This is sometimes called a padmaster. Our cam department will then generate a mask swell based on the density of your board to give you trace coverage and minimal mask on pads (0.001" or less).

Please note: While we make every attempt to leave a mask dam between surface mounts, fine pitch areas will be relieved in strips. Our manufacturing process needs at least 0.005" mask between pads in order to adhere to the board. Anything less than that has the potential for lifting and re-depositing on surface mounts that would then prevent solder coverage.

Solder Mask Color
LPI Green is our default solder mask color. We have options on the PCBpro Website for additional colors of blue and black. Please note that there is an added charge for these other colors.

If you require a color other than green, blue, or black, please go to our contact us page and click on the 'I have special needs' button under the subject line and explain your needs in more detail. This will help to expedite your request.

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Surface Mount
The pitch of the surface mount is defined as the dimension in inches from center to center of surface mount pads. Standard pitch is >0.025", fine pitch is 0.011"-0.025", and ultra fine pitch is <0.011". As boards contain finer pitch, processing and test fixture costs increase.

Please note: the ultra fine pitch is not suited for the PCBpro instant quote.Tooling and test costs are influenced by the number of surface mount sides. If there is no surface mount, the same solder mask film can be used on both sides of the board. If there are surface mounts, we need to produce different films for top and bottom side, as well as potentially requiring electrical testing on both sides.

If testing is required on a two-sided surface mount, then you will need a special test fixture that PCBpro cannot quote. Please go to our contact us page and click on the 'I have special needs' button under the subject line and explain your needs in more detail. This will help to expedite your request.

Tab Routing
Rather than completing the route path around the board edge, "Tabs" are left so as to leave boards attached in pallets for ease in assembly. We take your one-up design and provide the step and repeat process for you.

This option is available through our Design Check service. However, tab routing is FREE for customers who have placed their initial prototype order through PCBexpress. Click here for more details.

Click here for a sample pallet layout or view a sample picture.

Top Side
In order to prevent building a board inside out, we must be able to identify the correct orientation of your design. Component, layer 1, or 'top' layer should read in facing up. All other layers should line up as though looking through the top side of the board.

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Traces & Spaces
Submit board files with traces and spaces 0.007" or greater on PCBexpress and 0.006" or greater on PCBpro.

UL (Design check only)
Identified as a recognized component for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL File Number E58527. Approved down to 0.005" trace width, minimum board thickness is 0.025" with LPISM, 0.062" with DFSM. Maximum 3-oz. copper weight on inner layers is used. We will mark your boards with our UL identification. Because we do not archive Plot & Go's tooling / documentation, we are not able to offer UL for the Plot & Go service.

V-Scoring
Rather than completing a route path around the board edge, the edges are "scored" to allow breaking boards apart after assembly. This is another way to palletize / panelize the boards ( See Tab Routing ).

Please note that boards with v-scoring cannot be quoted on PCBpro. If you require v-scoring, please call 503-829-9108 x249.

Zip File
All files needed for the processing of your order must be compressed in a zip file. Due to the large amount of orders received, we are not able to accept individual layer files sent to us. Winzip or Pkzip can be downloaded from our PCB Links page.

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