Panduan File Gerber: Mahir Desain PCB untuk Pemula
In the guest question, there are often questions about the Gerber file.
How to turn the eagle into Gerber?
How to generate Gerber?
What is an extension file?
So we have prepared a guide to help you find the answer and become an expert in this area.
Let’s start.
1. Vektor Papan Sirkuit Dalam File Gerber
1. 1 Apa Itu Papan Sirkuit Cetak (PCB)?
Primarily, PCBs are just boards that are made of tough insulating material upon which circuits for electronic components (e.g., resistors, ICs, capacitors) are mounted.
The circuits mounted on the boards are often drawn using thin strips of conducting materials like copper overlaid with additional layers of circuits or insulating material.
Like I had noted in the introduction, they are the frameworks for nearly all modern electronics. Put: that’s why you need to know them well enough.
The invention of PCBs and Integrated Circuits (ICs) was the revolutionary invention that led to the reduction in the size of modern electronics.
1.1.1 Apakah Anda Perlu PCB?
Even though the earliest uses of PCBs can be traced back to 1936(Harper, 2004), it is hard to imagine any modern commercially viable electronic gadget/project that will not employ PCBs.
Perhaps you, too, might have noted that PCBs run as the backbone of nearly all modern electronic devices.
So, if Even though the earliest uses of PCBs can be traced back to 1936(Harper, 2004); it is hard to imagine any modern commercially viable electronic gadget/project that will not learn about electronics, or produce electronics, then you will inevitably need to learn about PCBs willy-nilly.
1.2 Apa Arti “Gerber” Atau “Format File Gerber”?
According to UCAMCO (the company that currently owns the rights to the Gerber File format), a “ Gerber file format” is a de facto standard for PCB-designed data storage or transfer.
It can further be described as an open ASCII vector format for representing 2D binary images. Gerber file describes and communicates the constituents of a PCB image like the number of copper layers, solder masks, and many other such attributes.
Gerber files also act as input files to PCB printing devices like photo-plotters and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) machines to print or compare circuit board images.
1.2.1 Format Gerber
The three generations of Gerber are:
- Standard Gerber (Also known as RS-274-D) – the oldest form of Gerber
- Extended Gerber (Also known as RS-274X)
- Gerber X2 –The newest kind of Gerber
More about these formats will be elaborated on in chapter three. At the moment, let’s try to grapple with the simple definitions.
1.3 Di Sini Gerber Bertemu dengan PCB
So far, wne have covered the essential details of PCBs are and their importance. Wne have also tried to explain in a nutshell the essence of Gerber files. From the two definitions, it was prominent that Gerber files are the software sketches that are used to communicate information about the composition of circuit boards. The two differ in that software applications handle Gerber files whereas PCBs mount electronic components.
The preceding chapters will discuss more on the compositions of Gerber files, methods of manipulating Gerber files.
Catatan:
►An important point you need to note at this point is that circuit boards were originally not made with the aid of CAD or CAM software applications. It is logical then to conclude that PCBs are not limited to circuit boards drawn from CAM software applications.
With the increased use of PCBs came the demand to have standards that could guide the production of the circuit boards. Gerber emerged as a standard that could ease the process of developing PCBs. So, let’s try to understand what a “Gerber” defines.
►In 2014, UCAMCO declared the Standard Gerber as “technically obsolete” and gave preeminence of Extended Gerber over Standard Gerber. This is because aperture definitions for the standard Gerber were not standardized.
2. File Gerber
2.1 Apa Itu File Gerber?
A Gerber file is a file that contains information that guides the production of a PCB. As you might have observed, a Gerber file format is simply a de facto standard that defines 2D binary images using open ASCII vector format.
Modern Gerber files may also include metadata (data about other constituting data within a file) like solder mask, legend/silk, number of copper layers, among other relevant printing information.
PCBs are made from Gerber 274-X data and NC drill files; Each Gerber file corresponds to one layer in the physical board – the component overlay, top signal layer, bottom signal layer, the solder masking layers inner layers, and so on.
Because there are so many different versions of pcb files in use today, we require our clients to provide us with a full set of Gerber and NC drill files to avoid version conflicts.
When submitting Gerber files for the quote or an order, it’s handy to have a simple text file that accompanies the data explaining the requirements that do not appear in the Gerber files.
Important information not often easily identifiable includes solder mask and silkscreen colors, penalization requirements, if any, pad finish, board thickness, and copper weight.
Also, any special PCB requirements or features on the such as slots or cutouts. Placing details like this on a mechanical layer is a good place for such data, Or in a text file.
A Gerber Setup dialog provides you with tools to completely configure your Gerber file output options.
At its inception, Gerber emerged as a standard that could guide the production of circuit boards among Engineers. But because Gerber defined an open standard, it held a high generality and low particularity.
In that, Gerber standards did not lay down fixed guidelines that could restrict the production of PCBs at its inception.
As a result, Gerber was easily adopted by various PCB designers and engineers in designing electronic circuits on boards.
This boosted its adoption and popularity among PCB designers and engineers.
Ini Alasan Anda Perlu Peduli tentang Gerber…
In 2015, UCAMCO estimated that about nine in every ten PCB productions are presented in Gerber form. With the increase in production of electronic devices is a parallel increase of PCBs produced.
This brings about a consistent and constant push for circuit improvements on Gerber files. Now, because of this constant need to improve on current designs and efficiency, studying Gerber files could make your skills relevant to PCBs.
2.2 Pengontrol File Gerber
A Gerber file viewer is a software application that aids you in viewing the contents of a Gerber file. At the moment, there exist a variety of Gerber viewing tools in the market.
Some of these tools work by installation (much like traditional software applications), but most of the tools work online without being installed on one’s computer. They allow you to upload files and view the Garber files online.
2.2.1 Fitur Utama yang Perlu Dipertimbangkan untuk Pengontrol File Gerber
To choose s good Gerber file viewer, you might need to consider the following three features:
- Dukungan format file yang diperbarui: pengontrol file Gerber ideal harus dapat mendukung jenis file modern populer seperti HPGL/HPGL-2 dan Excellon antara format file modern lainnya.
- Dukundi presisi dalam penayangan: pengontrol Gerber yang baik juga harus mencakup fitur untuk zoom dan pengukuran presisi sehingga Anda dapat memeriksa sirkuit dan memperbaiki kesalahan dengan mudah.
- Prasadaran printer yang luas: pengontrol file Gerber juga harus kompatibel dengan berbagai macam printer. Selain itu, itu juga harus memberi ruang untuk berbagai opsi cetak untuk berbagai printer.
Alat Pengontrol Gerber Terbaik
Of all the several Geber viewing tools available in the market, the following three tools are currently the top-rated tools for viewing Gerber files:
Pengontrol Gerber Online
Custom PCB circuit board may, therefore, be a tall order. This article will walk you through five basic ways to landing the best PCB board Online Gerber is a free online tool that allows you to view and check errors within your Gerber files online. This tool is light-weighted, in that, it does not need you to install it or run it on a computer with larger memory storage or high processing capability.
It is compatible with Gerber274X as well as Excellon 1 and 2 file formats. This tool also allows you to zoom whenever you may need to check your boards for design errors.
One other reason you might love The Online PCB Manufacturer for PCB Production. This is due to the convenience that comes with outsourcing for a reliable Online Gerber is the fact that it does not restrict its usage to only registered users as other Gerber viewers do.
Pengontrol Gerber EasyEDA
EasyEDA is an awesome online Gerber viewer that has nearly all the features of the Online Gerber tool. But unlike the Online Gerber, EasyEDA allows you to view the layers of an uploaded/imported PCB, zoom through and choose the color for the PCBs.
It also has some statistical features which will allow you to compare the shapes and sizes of the holes and dimensions of the board. Once done, EasyEDA will offer you the option of sharing your files using a URL.
Pengontrol Gerber Numerical Innovation
Numerical Innovation is simply awesome. This tool has checked all the features we had highlighted as the important aspects to consider for an ideal Gerber Viewer. Are you looking for clarity? Check that. How about an ability to zoom images?
Check that. What about file compatibility? Check it. Honestly, an experience with Numerical is just seamless. Both the Eagle and the Altium generated files from Seed Studio are very easy to use. For beginners, this could be an indispensable tool.
In the following chapter, we’re going to take a look at the Gerber file extensions available in the industry and then later see how we can manipulate Gerber files.
3. Ekstensi File Gerber (.gbr /.GBR)
Primarily, Gerber file is often associated with the file extension “.gbr” or.”GBR”. However, other extensions like “.GBX”, “.Top”, and “.BOT” is also used in defining Gerber files.
And even then, the “.gbr” extension does not exclusively apply to PCB Gerber files. Sometimes this extension is still used by other image editing software application like GIMP to represent the applications’ image brush file.
Mengapa Ada Berbagai Variasi?
Well, do you still recall the three highlighted generations of the Gerber file format? That is where we will find the entire story of Gerber File extensions. Let’s begin with:
Gerber Standar (Juga Dikenal sebagai RS-274-D)
This was the oldest form of Gerber file representation that was designed by Gerber Systems Corp as a Numerical Control (NC) format that was aimed at driving the photo plotters of the 1960s and 1970s. The RS-274-D supported the basic plotting capabilities like drawing trucks. It did not distinctly define coordinates and margins of drawing (Electronic Industries Association, 1979).
With time, the Standard Gerber became unpopular and was eventually revoked by its developers in 2014. Even then, the Standard Gerber was responsible for the origin and popularity of “.gbr” file extension.
Gerber Diperluas (Juga Dikenal sebagai RS-274-X of X-Gerber)
This form of Gerber was introduced in 1998 by UCAMCO. It is used human-readable ASCII commands that are combined to generate a 2D vector graphic. X-Gerber also incorporated the use of metadata to define graphics. It is associated with the “.gbr” and the “.gbx” files extensions.
Gerber X2
This is the latest Gerber format for files. It includes improvements from all its predecessors. This file format supports all the extra vendor extensions like “.top” and “.bot.” This file format is compatible with most modern CAM software applications.
Now, because we had already looked at some software tools that can help us to view Gerber files, it’s now time to take some time and get our hand dirty with manipulating Gerber files. Are you ready? In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
4. Praktik Langsung File Gerber
4.1 Membuat File Gerber Menggunakan Eagle 3.55
This part will teach you step-by-step of how to use the PCB design software.
1. PCB123
2. eagle to generate or convert Gerber file and excel file.
Choosing a reliable manufacturer is an important thing when you after your design, there are some factors you need take into consideration:
1. Can help you quickly check if there any problems with your design?
2. Can they meet any special requirements in your design?
3. Lead-Time, Quality, and then the Price is acceptable.
File Gerber
Before we start next step, you’ll need to download another definition file: CAM file.
EAGLE provides a CAM job file, which will create your Gerber file for a, 2 layer board in an easy fashion. Please follow these steps:
First, download these files：
1, eagle to gerber1.doc;(39.5 KB)
2, Eagle user brochure.pdf; (289 KB)
3, IPC-a-600.pdf(1.50 MB )
1. Muat papan Anda di layar.
To do this from the Eagle Control Panel, click on File/Open/Board and select the board you will use.
2. Klik ikon di bilah alat atas yang bertuliskan ULP.
When the dialog box appears to select the ULP file called DRILLCFG.ULP from the ULP directory. In a matter of seconds the command line you will notice a message saying ULP has finished.
3. Sekarang klik ikon yang mewakili CAM Processor.
This will load the CAM Processor Screen. From this screen click on File/Open/Job (when asked to save “Modified Job” reply NO) and select the CAM job called GERBER.CAM from the CAM directory and click OK.
4. Sekarang klik tombol yang bertuliskan Process Job.
This will prompt you with 2 messages. The first message will be “Delete the $$$ file after process” this is a dummy file that EAGLE creates, click OK. The second message is “More than one signal layer Active”, Click OK to this message as well. Depending on the size and complexity of the board, the entire process will take a few minutes or a few hours.
5. Ketika CAM Processor berhenti semua proses berarti ia telah selesai.
This process created several files that will have the same name as your board with different extensions:
.WHL Aperture Wheel File.PLC Silk Screen Component side
.CMP Copper Component side .STC Solder Stop mask Component side
.SOL Copper Solder side .STS Solder Stop mask Solder side
Then you need to zip the following files and deliver it to PCB Manufacturer
| Gerber Files | Extension |
| Top (copper) Layer | .GTL |
| Bottom (copper) Layer | .GBL |
| Top Overlay | .GTO |
| Bottom Overlay | .GBO |
| Top Paste Mask | .GTP |
| Bottom Paste Mask | .GBP |
| Top Solder Mask | .GTS |
| Bottom Solder Mask | .GBS |
| Keep-Out Layer | .GKO |
| Drill Drawing | .GD1 |
| Drill Guide | .GG1 |
| Internal Plane Layer1,2,…,16 | .GP1, .GP2, … , .GP16 |
*The GTP file isn’t necessary for the PCB fabrication because it is used to create a stencil(if your design had SMD parts).
File Excellon
(Make sure you have done step 1 and 2 before proceeding with Excellon files)
- Directly from the CAM processor click on File/Open/Job and select the CAM Job called EXCELLON.CAM from the CAM directory, then click OK.
- Now click on the small button that says Process. This will begin the EXCELLON file generation. Normally this process only takes a few seconds.
- The following files are created when the process ends.
.DRL Tool Rack File.DRD Excellon. Output.DRI Drill Information file
IKON
CAM Processor User Language Program (ULP)
Adding Layers to the existing GERBER.CAM file
(Refer to your EAGLE 3.55 manual page 86.
The first page of this document teaches you how to create all the necessary Gerber files for a 2 sided board. But due to the growing demand for more than 2 layers, wne decided to add this portion to this document.
Initially GERBER.CAM generates all of the apertures needed to make a 2 sided board. By modifying the Gerber.CAM process we can easily add more steps to the CAM processor to take care of our additional layers.
Mari kita mulai:
1. From the EAGLE control panel click on File/Open/Board and select the board you are interested in.
2. Click on the CAM processor ICON.
3. Now click File/Open/JOB and select the file called GERBER.CAM from the CAM directory. If Eagle prompts you to save the current process. Click NO.
4. Notice on the CAM processor screen a field called SECTION. If, the section called “Generate a wheel file” is not visible, then click on the down arrow at the end of the section and select the section called Generate a Wheel File.
5. On the right-hand side of the CAM processor screen, you will notice the layer list. Tag the additional layers you wish to include: Any inner layers or maybe the bottom silkscreen layers (BPlace and BName). DO NOT UNTAG ANY OF THE OTHER LAYERS. Click on File/Save Job to save what we have done so far. I would recommend giving this CAM job a different name. For example, 4Layer.cam)
6. After tagging all the necessary layers click on the SECTION down arrow and select the very last section called Solder Stop Mask SOL.
7. Click on the ADD button. Eagle will ask you to name the new section you are creating. You can give it any name you feel comfortable with, example, call it inner POWER PLANE VCC, INNER SIGNAL Layer 2, or BOTTOM SILK SCREEN). Click OK when done.
8. Now select the appropriate layer for this section. It’s an inner power plane (for example $GND) only selects that layer by itself. If it’s a bottom silkscreen layer tag the Dimension, BPlace, and BName layers. If it’s a regular signal layer combine it with PAD’s and VIA’s MAKE SURE NO OTHER LAYERS ARE TAGGED.
9. Change the name of the output. Use the table at the bottom of this page as an example.
10. Create a new section for every new layer needed. Repeat step 7, 8, 9 and 10 for every new layer.
Go to step 4 on page number 1.
| Layers | Extension |
| Supply Layer | Supply layer only ($GND).GND |
| Signal Layer | Signal layer, Pad, Via.LY3 |
| Bottom Silk screen | Dimension, Bplace, Bname.PLS |
Cara Mengekspor File Gerber Dari Altium Designer
Generate Gerber
1: Pilih menu “File”, >> “Fabrication Outputs” >> “Gerber files”
2: di kotak dialog yang muncul, tentukan parameter pengukuran PCB.
3: Pilih lapisan: Untuk papan 2 lapisan, centang lapisan G1, G2, G3 ….
4: Periksa Aperture yang Disematkan
5: Setelah Anda yakin semua pengaturan baik, klik “OK” untuk menghasilkan Gerber.
Generate Excellon
1: Pilih menu “File”, >> “Fabrication Outputs” >> “NC Drill files”
2: Sesuaikan parameter agar sesuai dengan parameter File Gerber dan klik “Ok” untuk menghasilkan.
3: Kompres semua file yang dihasilkan ke dalam file .zip, dan kirimkan untuk Manufaktur.
Mengonversi File Gerber (“.gbr”) ke File “.pcb”
Apa Itu File “.pcb”?
In a nutshell, “.pcb” file extension is an extension associated with CAD (Computer Aided Design) software application generated files. After designing your circuit through software applications like the ULTIUM Designer, these are the files generated to store information that can guide to create circuit boards.
Mengapa Ini Penting?
Though designing engineers can be comfortable sharing data in their PCB format, as it is easy to comprehend; manufacturers of PCBs might require additional guidelines on factors like drilling. These parameters may hinder successful WellPCB. Wne will provide you with one-stop service and high-quality products. You can send us the documents you need to make and get a quote immediately! What are we waiting for? We have ten years of PCB manufacturing if unchecked.
Bagaimana Cara Mengonversinya? : 12 Langkah Konversi (Menggunakan LinkCAD)
- Pertama, unduh LinkCAD dari situs resmi mereka di sini.
- Selanjutnya, instal di komputer Anda (seperti program biasa). Aksi ini akan memberikan Anda uji coba lima hari dari perangkat lunak.
- Jalankan LinkCAD di komputer Anda
- Di layar pembuka, klik “Import Format” dan pilih jenis file PCB (jenis yang Anda ingin konversi) dari daftar yang tersedia.
- Pilih “Gerber” dari daftar “Export Format”.
- Centang opsi dialog “Skip options”.
- Periksa opsi menu “Ignore text” di jendela “GDSII Import Options”.
- Ubah preferensi tambahan apa pun yang mungkin perlu Anda ubah dalam menu “Export Options” yang muncul.
- Telusuri di komputer Anda dan pilih file “PCB” untuk dikonversi.
- Klik tombol “Next” di jendela yang muncul dan tunggu hingga file dikonversi.
- Periksa dalam folder yang memiliki file “PCB” asli untuk file Gerber yang dikonversi.
- Jika semuanya baik, klik “Finish” dan keluar.
Kesimpulan
Now, not long ago, the process of creating a Gerber file that could precisely present your circuit idea for WellPCB. Wne will provide you with one-stop service and high-quality products. You can send us the documents you need to make and get a quote immediately! What are we waiting for? We have ten years of PCB manufacturing was often a challenging task. First, there was the challenge of learning appropriate Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software applications.
This challenge would often be followed by the common problem of missing lists like the aperture list or tools list. And then, the challenge of compatibility within CAM software applications would make this task way too hard.
With time, however, this process has been highly streamlined. Thanks to the advancements made in CAM software applications and file representation like Gerber; developers and designers can now fabricate PCBs from fabrication datasets.
Now, this creates an interesting loop, electronics depend on PCBs; PCBs depends on the Gerber file. So, for electronics to thrive, PCBs must thrive, for PCBs to be great, Gerber designs must be off the charts.
For Gerber to improve, there must be an increased demand for improved electronics. You see it? Do you notice a funny loop? That is why the future of electronics is likely to be filled with Gerber files on ends. Besides learning on your own, what other things can you do?
Hei! Saya yakin Anda akan menyukai bagian ini.
Perhaps after reading through our guide, you might have developed some interest in knowing more about Gerber files and PCBs. Feel free to check through our official website and peruse through our collection of tricks that can transform you from a beginner to a pro.
Also, just in case you succeed to make a custom PCB for your project, feel free to make an invoice from us at a freaking bargain. Wne will be glad to offer you a helping hand in beginning your Gerber journey.
