Forum

Hi,

I have a few questions about required specifications for boards made with PCB-Pool.

1) Your site says that the minimum distance between tracks is 0.2mm...if I submit my order could you check this for me since Eagle won't do it (I routed the board manually without using the signal system). Would this cost extra?

2) Many of the signals on my board are exactly 0.2mm apart...would a soldermask make a noticeable difference in reducing shorts?

3) Do you require layout files from Eagle to have all signals connected to each other, or is it acceptable to simply have tracks connected where they overlap?

4) My board is a custom shape: is routing it to that shape extra, or included? How do you like the board shape defined? (mine uses layer 20 [dimension] - is this OK?)

5) I know that gold-plating on edge connectors requires the board to be ordered in the non-pool service: how much over the prototype pool service is it likely to cost (total of roughly 430mm^2 that would need plating)?

Thanks.

: Hi,
:
: I have a few questions about required specifications for boards made with PCB-Pool.
:
: 1) Your site says that the minimum distance between tracks is 0.2mm...if I submit my order could you check this for me since Eagle won't do it (I routed the board manually without using the signal system). Would this cost extra?
:
: 2) Many of the signals on my board are exactly 0.2mm apart...would a soldermask make a noticeable difference in reducing shorts?
:
: 3) Do you require layout files from Eagle to have all signals connected to each other, or is it acceptable to simply have tracks connected where they overlap?
:
: 4) My board is a custom shape: is routing it to that shape extra, or included? How do you like the board shape defined? (mine uses layer 20 [dimension] - is this OK?)
:
: 5) I know that gold-plating on edge connectors requires the board to be ordered in the non-pool service: how much over the prototype pool service is it likely to cost (total of roughly 430mm^2 that would need plating)?
:
: Thanks.
:
:
Hi,
Thanks for asking PCB-FAQ, where we have the answers.

1, This is correct our site does mention 0.2mm minimum Gap/Feature.
http://www.pcb-pool.com/html_uk/uk_angebot_2.htm
Our PCB-POOL(R) Prototype prices are extremely competitive on the World Market, due to many reasons one of them being, by keeping our CAM work to an absolute minimum. We do not perform a design rule, or manufacturing rule check on prototype PCB`s unless the customer orders their product with electrical test. The e-test price covers the CAM and Flying Probe Machine operating costs and is a non profit section of Beta LAYOUT.

2, We hope that we have understood this question properly, it is the decision between placing Soldermask on the board or not? Of course when the PCB has soldermask the possible occurrence of short circuits is significantly reduced. Then again
when there is no soldermask on the PCB, it is quite easy to scratch the shorts away. This choice is more of a personal one, however we would recommend soldermask, plus e-test, for added security.

3, This question relates to vias, and it is important to ensure that there is correct annular ring, which will ensure a good plating of copper throughout the hole. We will not insert vias for you in our PCB-POOL(R) service, as again we can keep costs low, by keeping CAM work low.

4, Relating to the link in answer 1, we state any contour. Rectangle, or Custom, we will route at no extra cost. The Routing charge comes into effect when, you have internal cut outs or more than one PCB of less than a decimetre in area.

5, In our PCB-POOL(R) Prototype service, The type of PCB`s provided are standard with FR4 material, 1.6mm thick, 35?m of copper, Green Soldermask, White Silkscreen. Unfortunately for any other type spec, we need to provide a NON-POOL price.
Gold falls into the NON-POOL category. You mention the area of the PCB, maybe you should check out the price, as this PCB could be quite expensive in PCB-POOL(R) if it is quite large, and you require a couple of them.
Go here to our online calculation: http://www.pcb-pool.com/html_uk/uk_bestellung_0.htm
fill in the details of the PCB and press calculate, if it it too expensive for PCB-POOL you will be told by the software. This is quite an advantage as it takes two minutes to complete, instead of waiting, for a reply to the price inquiry.

So we would like to thank you again, we hope you like the new look of our FAQ site, and should you have any other questions about the PCB industry in General, come here, and create a new section, if one is not available, and start the ball rolling.
All the Best
Your Beta LAYOUT Team