PCB Definition Section

The PCB Definition section provides options for Soldermask, Legend, and Surface finish, it includes the option for Bare board testing of the finished PCB.

Full Analysis

If you upload data with full analysis, then the default values will be selected based on the layers defined in your data.

Example – if a Top Legend layer is identified in your data, then it will be assigned the default colour white.

All these parameters can be changed to suit your requirements.

Basic Analysis

If you run only basic analysis on your data, then these parameters will need to be updated manually as necessary.

No Data

If you do not upload any data, then these parameters will need to be updated manually as necessary.

You can also open the Pixture Editor if data has been uploaded, simply click on the Pixture Editor button in the top righthand corner of the section.

Top soldermask

Default – Green

Select the preferred soldermask colour for the Top side of your PCB(s) from the colours available or those in the More options drop-down menu.

If you do not require a soldermask on the Top side of your PCB(s), select None.

NOTE

• Colours other than green will increase the price of your PCB(s).
• It is possible to select a different soldermask colour for the Top and Bottom, however, this will make the order non-poolable and will increase the price.
• It is not possible to have the same colour of soldermask as the Legend colour.

See also:

PCB Design Guidelines – Soldermask

The History of Order pooling

Bottom soldermask

Default – Green

Select the preferred soldermask colour for the Bottom side of your PCB(s) from the colours available or those in the More options drop-down menu.

If you do not require a soldermask on the Bottom side of your PCB(s), select None.

NOTE

• Colours other than green will increase the price of your PCB(s).
• It is possible to select a different soldermask colour for the Top and Bottom, however, this will make the order non-poolable and will increase the price.
• It is not possible to have the same colour of soldermask as the Legend colour.

See also:

PCB Design Guidelines – Soldermask

The History of Order pooling

Top legend

Default – White

Select the preferred legend colour for the Top side of your PCB(s) from the colours available or those in the More options drop-down menu.

If you do not require legend on the Top side of your PCB(s), select None.

NOTE

• Colours other than white will increase the price of your PCB(s).
• It is possible to select a different legend colour for the Top and Bottom, however, this will make the order non-poolable and will increase the price.
• It is not possible to have the same colour of legend as the soldermask colour.

See also:

PCB Design Guidelines – Legend Print

Bottom legend

Default – None

Select the preferred legend colour for the Bottom side of your PCB(s) from the colours available or those in the More options drop-down menu.

If you do not require legend on the Top side of your PCB(s) the please ensure that the option is set to None.

NOTE

• Colours other than white will increase the price of your PCB(s).
• It is possible to select a different legend colour for the Bottom and Top, however, this will make the order non-poolable and will increase the price.
• It is not possible to have the same colour of legend as the soldermask colour.

See also:

PCB Design Guidelines – Legend Print

Surface Finish

Default – Any lead-free finish

Select the require Surface finish for your PCB from the available options or those in the More options drop-down menu.

If you do not require a Surface finish for you PCB(s) then please select No in the More options drop-down menu.

NOTE

• Selecting No surface finish will leave your PCB(s) vulnerable to oxidisation and contamination which may cause issues when soldering.
• Other Surface finishes than Any lead-free will increase price of your PCB(s).
• The selected Surface finish will be applied to both the top and Bottom side of the PCB.
• it is not possible to have one type of finishes on the Top side and a different one on the Bottom side.

See also:

Selecting the Right Surface Finish for your PCB

What is any lead-free finish?

Bare Board Testing

Default – Yes for 2-layers and more – No for 1-layer – Not available for 0-layer

All PCBs with 2-layers or more are automatically Bare Board Tested to check for electrical shorts or opens this option predefined and cannot be changed.

For PCBs with 1-layer, you have the option select Yes for Bare Board Testing.

For 0-layer PCBs this option is not available as there are not copper tracks to be tested.

NOTE

• Selecting Yes to Bare Board Testing for 1-layer PCBs will increase the price of your PCB(s).

See also:

Electrical Test