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- Copper Clad Area Placement:
- Temporarily adjust the safety spacing to 0.5-1mm.
- Clear any incorrect marks.
- Use “Place-Polygon Plane” to add copper cladding to the ground network on each wiring layer.
- Preferably use octagons instead of arcs for pad wrapping.
- When converting to DOS format, opt for octagons.
- Draw the border of the copper-covered area.
- Leave the last edge unpainted.
- Right-click to initiate copper covering.
- Default start and end points are connected by a straight line.
- For high-frequency circuits, adjust the optional Grid Size.
- Copper Cladding on Other Layers:
- Place copper cladding on additional wiring layers.
- Identify areas without copper cladding.
- Add via holes in areas with copper cladding on other layers.
- Double-click any point in the copper cladding area, select a copper cladding, click OK, and then click Yes to update the copper coating.
- Repeat until each copper cladding layer is full.
- Restore the safe spacing in the design rule to its original value.
- Design Rule Check (DRC):
- Select Clearance Constraints, Max/Min Width Constraints, Short Circuit Constraints, and Un-Routed Nets Constraints.
- Press the Run DRC button.
- Correct any errors.
- Save the file.
- Exporting PCB File for Manufacturing:
- For PROTEL99SE format (PCB4.0) processing, export as a *.PCB file.
- For PROTEL99 format (PCB3.0) processing, export as a PCB 3.0 binary file and perform DRC.
- For DOS version PCB file:
- Change all mechanical layers to mechanical layer 1.
- Export the netlist as a *.NET file.
- Export the PCB to PROTEL PCB 2.8 ASCII FILE format *.PCB files.
- Open with PROTEL FOR WINDOWS PCB 2.8, save in Autotrax format for DOS.
- Open with PROTEL AUTOTRAX under DOS.
- DOS Version PCB File Adjustments:
- Adjust individual strings, especially for SMD components.
- Save regularly due to lack of UNDO function.
- Ensure pads are wrapped with octagons.
- DRC Route Separation Setup:
- Use the exported network table as the Separation Setup.
- Values should be smaller than those in the WINDOWS version.
- Correct errors until all DRCs pass.
- Generating GERBER and Drilling Files:
- Use File-CAM Manager to generate GERBER and drilling files.
- Select options like Bom, DRC, Gerber, NC Drill, Pick Place, Test Points.
- Email or Copy to the Manufacturer:
- Indicate board material, thickness, quantity, and processing details.
- Confirm receipt within two hours.
- BOM File Generation and Editing:
- Generate a BOM file.
- Export and edit it to conform to company regulations.
- Preparation for Chassis Machining:
- Export to AutoCAD R14 DWG format for mechanical designers.
- Document Organization and Printing:
- Organize and print various documents, including parts lists, device assembly drawings, installation, and wiring instructions.
