Learn More about what a Gerber file actually is and its importance in the fabrication process.

Gerber files have been the heart of PCB fabrication for a long time, here’s more about them.

If you are new to all of this then don’t worry, here are some resources on the basics of manufacturing output files. Manufacturing Output Files and Why They are Important Here are some resources to help you become more acquainted with some of these file types. Your PCB manufacturer will need an array of design files from you that may include Gerber files, bill of material files, Excellon drill files, fabrication and assembly drawings, pick and place files, and many others. The first question that comes up is what kind of PCB manufacturer documents and drawings will need to be created? If you are not familiar with the entire PCB design process or PCB manufacturing requirements, you may be asking yourself the same thing. Fortunately Altium Designer is PCB design software that is able to handle both of these needs. First, you need the ability to quickly and efficiently create detailed documentation for review and manufacturing and second, you need a PCB document viewer that can easily review all of the design files and documentation that you have created.

To give everyone the access that they need to work with you and your design, you need two things. Then your design will go out to PCB manufacturing, and even more people will be checking how it was designed and if it will run through the PCB fabrication and assembly processes without problems. There will be people checking to make sure that your components are available, others checking your connectivity and design, while still others will be looking at the mechanical configuration and to see how well your design will fit with others. Your printed circuit board design may have started with just yourself or a small team of people, but by the time it is completed there will be a lot more involved. Any kind of file viewing should be an easy process for your PCB design software.

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