elektor

The power of Smart Menus

The Eurocircuits’ online Smart Menus are not only useful to determine the PCB design parameters in a straightforward manner, but the Smart Menus also have their utility for mass production. We take a look at an example:

We need 1600 boards, 2-layer panalized PCBs of 65x55mm. Using Smart Menus we calculate the cost, see image on the right. Note that next to several fields there is the icon of a coin. This indicates that this parameter contributes to an increase in the cost.



elektorBecause order pooling above 25 panels does not serve a purpose any more, it is important for such an order to strive for an optimal utilization of the production panel and to position your circuit board design in a smart way in the panel. The Smart Menus indicate the panel efficiency and therefore offer the designer the opportunity to modify their PCB dimensions or client panel arrangement for the most optimal panel utilization. This has immediately a significant – positive – influence on the cost, see image on the left!

 

Online tools

elektorThe PCB Visualizer online tool, after uploading the Gerber files, immediately shows you what the board will look like. You can run DRC and DFM checks online and are able to correct a number of potentials faults in the interpretation of the data with the PCB Configurator. The Layer editor and the Buildup editor are also tools that are part of the PCB Configurator with which you can, for example, define blind and buried vias.
 
Other online tools are, for example, the Panel editor, that you can use to define your own panel. Using the PCB PIXture editor you can place a photo or illustration on the silkscreen of your PCB and with the Marking editor you can move the eC-ordernummer and the UL-logo and you can add a QR-code, production date, text or you own logo.
 
In the PCB Checker you will find the DRC/DRM information. This tool checks whether Eurocircuits will be able to manufacture the modified design without any problems. This tool, among other things, looks at the copper distribution on the board and locates those pads that are intended as fiducials for the assembly. The PCB Checker also calculates the total solder paste area, handy for estimating solder paste usage.
 
After having gone through all this CAM drama, you can order your PCB(s) with confidence. Once all the flags, errors and warnings have been dealt with, it is almost certain that a working circuit board will roll off the production line (unless, of course, you have made a design error in your circuit)!