Homebrew PCBs

Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a design?  
I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
houses.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a 
design?  
> I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
> this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
> houses.


Olimex offers free panelitization and free cut-outs so that 
restriction of use is being torn down.  Kinda like airlines where you 
are not allowed to come home before Saturday or else you pay extra.  
Just odd, very odd.

Olimex offers the service,  you send your one file, tell them how you 
want them arranged on the board (3 up, 4 sideways or whatever)  And 
they will copy and paste for you.

That barrier out of the way.

I know in WinQ Cad, you can put in as many boards as you like, but 
you must hand route them.

You could create multiple boards in the Schematic and change Vcc to 
V1 and V2 so each is a seperate circuit.  Ditto for ground.  If you 
don't then you will find the software like to tie everything 
together. 

Dave

thanks.  I found what I was looking for in viewmate - step and 
repeat.  sometimes this PCB terminology is a tad obscure...

I agree that the "no panels" restrictions of board houses should go 
away but that wasn't what i was trying to do...

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...> 
wrote:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> 
wrote:
> > Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a 
> design?  
> > I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
> > this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
> > houses.
> 
> 
> Olimex offers free panelitization and free cut-outs so that 
> restriction of use is being torn down.  Kinda like airlines where 
you 
> are not allowed to come home before Saturday or else you pay 
extra.  
> Just odd, very odd.
> 
> Olimex offers the service,  you send your one file, tell them how 
you 

> want them arranged on the board (3 up, 4 sideways or whatever)  And 
> they will copy and paste for you.
> 
> That barrier out of the way.
> 
> I know in WinQ Cad, you can put in as many boards as you like, but 
> you must hand route them.
> 
> You could create multiple boards in the Schematic and change Vcc to 
> V1 and V2 so each is a seperate circuit.  Ditto for ground.  If you 
> don't then you will find the software like to tie everything 
> together. 
> 
> Dave

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a design?  
> I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
> this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
> houses.

Phil,

I use PhotoCam by Lavenir for setting up panels. The data is then sent
to a Lavenir photoplotter to make the tooling films. This arrangement
has served me well for many years. I never upgraded from the last DOS
version because it worked so well. Sometimes you can find this program
on the used market since many shops have upgraded or gone out of
business. 

Lavenir Technologies is no longer in business but a spin off called
PentaLogix can supply you with excellent panelization software. The
original group from the old Lavenir days are the ones that started the
new firm. I think they still offer a low cost viewing program that may
do what you need.

Most of the Gerber viewing programs out there will allow you to do the
 basic step and repeat of the data. Panelization software will usually
add the thief areas for plating as well as test coupons, soldermask,
silkscreen patterns and Excellon drill and route programs. Hope this
helps.

Tom

I just used GerbMerge to order from AdvancedCircuits. It only tested
with Eagle produced gerbers. So far no problem, but my order is not
done yet, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~steriana/Python/gerbmerge/

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "twb8899" <twb8899@y...> wrote:

> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> > Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a design?  
> > I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
> > this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
> > houses.
> 
> Phil,
> 
> I use PhotoCam by Lavenir for setting up panels. The data is then sent
> to a Lavenir photoplotter to make the tooling films. This arrangement
> has served me well for many years. I never upgraded from the last DOS
> version because it worked so well. Sometimes you can find this program
> on the used market since many shops have upgraded or gone out of
> business. 
> 
> Lavenir Technologies is no longer in business but a spin off called
> PentaLogix can supply you with excellent panelization software. The
> original group from the old Lavenir days are the ones that started the
> new firm. I think they still offer a low cost viewing program that may
> do what you need.
> 
> Most of the Gerber viewing programs out there will allow you to do the
>  basic step and repeat of the data. Panelization software will usually
> add the thief areas for plating as well as test coupons, soldermask,
> silkscreen patterns and Excellon drill and route programs. Hope this
> helps.
> 
> Tom

Hi -
This worked fine for me and Advanced Circuits.  I modified GerbMerge 
slightly to allow different spacing up-down and left-right. 
David

ggindele wrote:

>I just used GerbMerge to order from AdvancedCircuits. It only tested
>with Eagle produced gerbers. So far no problem, but my order is not
>done yet, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
>
>http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~steriana/Python/gerbmerge/
>
>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "twb8899" <twb8899@y...> wrote:
>  
>
>>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Is there any software out that that I can use to panelize a design?  
>>>I can produce gerbers.  Any pointers would be appreciated.   btw, 
>>>this is NOT to figure out how to sneak a panel past the prototype 
>>>houses.
>>>      
>>>
>>Phil,
>>
>>I use PhotoCam by Lavenir for setting up panels. The data is then sent
>>to a Lavenir photoplotter to make the tooling films. This arrangement
>>has served me well for many years. I never upgraded from the last DOS
>>version because it worked so well. Sometimes you can find this program
>>on the used market since many shops have upgraded or gone out of
>>business. 
>>
>>Lavenir Technologies is no longer in business but a spin off called
>>PentaLogix can supply you with excellent panelization software. The
>>original group from the old Lavenir days are the ones that started the
>>new firm. I think they still offer a low cost viewing program that may
>>do what you need.
>>
>>Most of the Gerber viewing programs out there will allow you to do the
>> basic step and repeat of the data. Panelization software will usually
>>add the thief areas for plating as well as test coupons, soldermask,
>>silkscreen patterns and Excellon drill and route programs. Hope this
>>helps.
>>
>>Tom
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
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>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>  
>

>
>This worked fine for me and Advanced Circuits.  I modified GerbMerge
>slightly to allow different spacing up-down and left-right.
>David
May I have that modification?
Cristian

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