What are you using for PCB panelization? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2020, 02:00:48 pm
content: At the moment, I'm using Altium Designer to do eveything, but due to some upcoming changes and different gerbers output sources,I would prefer to manage everything independently, so outside of PCB packages.I'm after some tool/software what can put multiple designs on a panel and easy setup v-cut & mouse bites rules, PnP file prep etc.The budget around max $1K would be ideal.Any suggestions?

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2020, 09:13:53 pm
content: To do it in autocad is very simpel. just make a block of the pcb and use the array function to simplify the placement.When the panel looks as you want it run ecplode a few times so that you are able to generate gerber layer by layer.If it is possible to have the pcb outline during the cad file generation it will simplifie the making of the panel.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 01:13:20 pm
content: Another tool, ViewMatehttps://www.pentalogix.com/t/software-products/viewmateIt looks like can do panelize in a few steps, but either v-scores or mouse bites according their tutorialsI didn't try yet how it works actuallyhttps://www.pentalogix.com/video_tutorials

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 01:27:19 pm
content: Quote from: geggi1 on June 30, 2020, 09:13:53 pmThat's more like hacking than a smooth workflowAlso, I will need AutoCAD subscription in order to 'bent' a tool for unrelated work.I would end up digging into gerber codes and write some scripts to make a v-scored panel on fly... rather than touch Autodesk & Co againThat's was a plan (aka scripts) if mouse bites are not required.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2020, 10:46:29 am
content: There is open source software to do this. I've used it to replicate a design multiple times for self-etched PCBs. However if you have the boards made I strongly suggest to let the PCB manufacturer deal with panelisation. They can do it quicker & better than you.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2020, 03:52:10 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 02, 2020, 10:46:29 amSometimes you have specific requirements for panels, for example from your assembler (or if you do assembly yourself), or if you want to place several different boards on a panel (this is especially useful if your boards have some odd shapes). Or if you want to add some non-standard stuff to the panel - like traces from each board to a panel-side connector so that you can program/test entire panel at once instead of doing tests at a level of individual boards.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2020, 12:09:24 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 02, 2020, 10:46:29 amAny references you could share?Quote from: nctnico on July 02, 2020, 10:46:29 amNo doubt, they can do it quicker and better... but for whom - me or themself?!In past, I throwed some designs to PCB fabs and asked from simple "just here a few boards, do what ever you think is right" and detailed one - "back and forward list of requirements and optimization". Usually, worked on 50/50 basis, sometimes I thought what on hell they're thinking or a time overhead so enormous to be involved, another extreme - brilliant job.Overall, that's depends from PCB fab expertise and to be tied to a single place is not option, but each PCB fab has same machinery...Since then, I do panel prep gerber in house, works for me.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2020, 12:22:45 pm
content: Quote from: olkipukki on July 04, 2020, 12:09:24 pmIt seems I have used Gerbmerge.https://radrajith.github.io/gerbmerge/