component dimensions

[sycochkn]

Are the EIA/JDEC dimensional specifications more complete than what is found
in the usual manufacturers data base? I know the manufacturers specs are
usually quite adequate for board layout but I am making solid models of
components that I deal with and would not like them to look funny.

Bob

 

[Anton Erasmus]

Are the EIA/JDEC dimensional specifications more complete than what is found
in the usual manufacturers data base? I know the manufacturers specs are
usually quite adequate for board layout but I am making solid models of
components that I deal with and would not like them to look funny.

Many manufacturers will also reference the relevant EIA/JEDEC
specification. If they do reference it, then they should conform to
the specified specification.
Also look at http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=4.6
There are also a few companies that sell 3D models for electronic
components.

Regards
Anton Erasmus

 

[sycochkn]

Many manufacturers will also reference the relevant EIA/JEDEC
specification. If they do reference it, then they should conform to
the specified specification.
Also look at http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?Pageid=4.6
There are also a few companies that sell 3D models for electronic
components.

Regards
Anton Erasmus

I do not have an issue with models, just how they are defined dimensionally.

http://home.earthlink.net/~sycochkn1/SimpleBalancedReceiver.pdf

Bob

 

[Anton Erasmus]

I do not have an issue with models, just how they are defined dimensionally.

http://home.earthlink.net/~sycochkn1/SimpleBalancedReceiver.pdf

Your models look quite nice. What software do you use to do them in ?

Regards
Anton Erasmus

 

[sycochkn]

Your models look quite nice. What software do you use to do them in ?

Regards
Anton Erasmus

That was done with AutoCAD 2005. I am intending to make an AutoCAD drawing
with blocks containing the solids, pad stacks, silkscreen etc. I intend to
use polylines for traces. after I generate my Gerber and Excellon files from
the DXF I intend to convert from Gerber and Excellon back to DXF and insert
the computer generated file back into AutoCad to generate the solid version
of the etched layers and vias.

Bob

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

That was done with AutoCAD 2005. I am intending to make an AutoCAD drawing
with blocks containing the solids, pad stacks, silkscreen etc. I intend to
use polylines for traces. after I generate my Gerber and Excellon files from
the DXF I intend to convert from Gerber and Excellon back to DXF and insert
the computer generated file back into AutoCad to generate the solid version
of the etched layers and vias.

Bob

Hi, Bob:-

How are you converting between DXF and the Gerber & Excellon files?

 

[sycochkn]

Hi, Bob:-

How are you converting between DXF and the Gerber & Excellon files?

I am rewriting my old program. I should probably try the old one and modify
it.

Bob

 

[Christopher Ott]

I am rewriting my old program. I should probably try the old one and
modify it.

Bob

What I do is model all my components up with the SMT or TH pads attached.
After placing the component models, I then apply a .gif of the silkscreen
and traces to the surface of the board. Looks very nice fully rendered, and
keeps the file sizes under control. I've done some samples of manually
created models of the traces, and I think applying a graphic of them and the
silkscreen looks more realistic. Once I have a real board in hand, I can
flatbed scan it and apply the graphic of the real thing. Also, having the
pads modeled lets me apply a metallic surface to that part of the model, as
they are not covered by soldermask. I use IronCAD which does a nice job with
photorealistic rendering. Not familiar with how AutoCAD 2005 works for
this...

I've also looked for quite some time for a method of converting the gerber
data to .dxf or preferably .sat or some other 3D format (adding a slight
extrusion to the traces) but have not had much success in finding anything.
Protel99se has a "board in 3D" feature, but cannot export the file. Newer
versions of the Altium software can export, but I'm not upgrading just to
get that feature. This would be faster than working with the graphic images
for quick stuff though.

Chris

 

[sycochkn]

What I do is model all my components up with the SMT or TH pads attached.
After placing the component models, I then apply a .gif of the silkscreen
and traces to the surface of the board. Looks very nice fully rendered,
and keeps the file sizes under control. I've done some samples of manually
created models of the traces, and I think applying a graphic of them and
the silkscreen looks more realistic. Once I have a real board in hand, I
can flatbed scan it and apply the graphic of the real thing. Also, having
the pads modeled lets me apply a metallic surface to that part of the
model, as they are not covered by soldermask. I use IronCAD which does a
nice job with photorealistic rendering. Not familiar with how AutoCAD 2005
works for this...

I've also looked for quite some time for a method of converting the gerber
data to .dxf or preferably .sat or some other 3D format (adding a slight
extrusion to the traces) but have not had much success in finding
anything. Protel99se has a "board in 3D" feature, but cannot export the
file. Newer versions of the Altium software can export, but I'm not
upgrading just to get that feature. This would be faster than working with
the graphic images for quick stuff though.

Chris

Flashes are blocks. The aperture name is defined by the block name. The
aperture definition is defined by the name of a block nested in the aperture
name block. The location of the flash is defined by the insertion point of
the block What appears in your drawing is arbitrary.
Traces are polylines. The aperture definition is determined by the width of
the polyline. The start and end points of the traces is determined by the
vertices of the polyline. The name of the gerber file is defined by the
layer name. for gerber RS274D the apertures are defined in a seperate file.
for RS274X the apertures are defined in the gerber file and rest of the
header information is entered manually. The Excellon file is defined in a
similar manner.

Component definitions are done manually using blocks made with the aperture
blocks. When you insert a component The component model, the top assy, the
silkscreen, the solder mask, the pad stack etcb all come with it. What ever
is left over is done manually.

Bob