EAGLE: Exporting a BOM file and CPL file for JLCPCB SMT Assembly - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: MrD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 01:36:58 am
content: I've completed the design for my PCB for my Flash-based Mega Drive cartridge I mentioned in another thread. I'm now up to the stage where I need to send it to JLCPCB and get it evaluated and priced.According to the JLCPCB SMT Assembly website, I need two files:- BOM file(Bill of Materials) (.xlsx spreadsheet)- CPL file(Component Placement List / Pick & Place File (PNP) file) (.xlsx spreadsheet)Can somebody point me to instructions and/or an example on how to export these files from EAGLE in the correct format for JLCPCB's service?

author: luiHS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2019, 05:51:29 am
content: You can use the CAM of the Eagle. At least in version 9 there are options to generate the BOM and PnP files.

author: MrD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 12:51:19 am
content: Thank you.In the CAM Processor I can export a CSV for the BOM, and I guess I have to manually swizzle it in Excel to get it to match JLCPCBs expected columns?There's no option to export a PNP file though? This is in EAGLE 9.4.2.

author: luiHS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 03:48:09 am
content: JLCPCB accepts files in CSV format.And to generate the PnP files, you can use a ULP, for example mountsmd.ulp. I use the one that generates files for the Neoden4 because I have my own Pick and Place machine.

author: MrD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 07:30:03 am
content: I appreciate you walking me through this, I'll let you know how it goes.

author: MagicSmoker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 01:52:04 pm
content: I still use v7.7.0 of EAGLE - not convinced joining the Borg is worthwhile - and to generate a BOM with that version I use the attached and zipped ULP. Run it while in the schematic and select the list type as values output as CSV and ; for the separator.And why did I name the ULP 1-...? So it would be at the top of the selection (along with other handy ULPs like "zoom-unrouted").

author: MrD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2019, 05:52:07 am
content: This is the output from JLCPCB's BOM/PNP uploader with my board. I think some manual finessing is in order here!This is with the rotation values given by moundsmt.ulpMy IC footprints are mostly fromhttps://eagle.componentsearchengine.comwhich I guess don't match up to the orientations of the pieces in JLCs database.Should I edit my footprints to match JLC's expected device orientations, or just edit the rotation column of my PNP?K1 and the two pinheaders aren't being assembled by JLC

author: MrD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 01:35:35 am
content: In the end I went with PCBWAY, and sent them a very specific example image with the pin 1 locations clearly marked. Very pleased with the result.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 01:19:16 pm
content: I suspect JLCPCB automation just doesn't work properly, and in fact they don't use it. A human operator goes through every placement to visually verify, which is why they flag issues if they can't see the pads clearly marked.