Gerber Files????

See wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerber_File

Thanks Mr Vulcan, does anyone know who could do this for him, what all would you need, just the specs?

Thanks

He needs to have his circuit board designed by someone, or he needs to do it himself using one of the available CAD programs. The Gerber file is an output of the PCB layout. Any PCB house can do this for him. He should be able to find one that will design and build the board for him, thus taking him out of the loop entirely. All he needs to supply is the electrical schematic. If he only has "specs" and hasn't actually designed the thing, he will need someone to do that for him as well.

I use this one:

http://www.expresspcb.com/

Is $51 for 3 boards and their sofware is free.

Gerber files are used to generate the PC foil patterns.

I have used both design houses and done them myself. I have had more success with my own patterns. More attention to ground planes and circuit layout issues, especially with analog circuits. But I am sure that is highly dependent on the house.

If your PCB is not too large (up to 100mm x 160mm) and only double sided you can use the free software EAGLE from cadsoft.

It consists of schematic, autorouter and layout program with a large library.

First draw a schematic, then you can either use the autorouter or layout manually which is often better (because your autorouter has to be configured according to your requirements, so its necessary to have some experience so that you know what you do).

When your layout is ready and checked for electrical/mechanical errors and production specifications (like pcb thickness, copper thickness, diameter of vias etc.) you can export the gerb files automatically.

Depending on the layout program you use most manufacturers can also read the raw data of most well known layout programs - they produce their own gerb files according to their machine park (plotter etc.)

Good luck
Uwe

Dear, You can use the eagle software to draw the ciruit and it automatically generates the gerber file. The free ware available on www.CadSoftUSA.COM.

Hi!

You can get Gerber files from Orcad Layout, Multisim Board, PCB Express and/or PCB123.

Saludos!

Delmar