Annular Ring CAM errors, Known issue?

[rflulling]

I am a new user, a First Semester Engineering Student. I am using The Student Version of Utiliboard and Multisim, compleatly current versions. It was necessary to use the Educational Version installed on the school systems in order to ultimately export Gerber Files...

The issue,

I have subited a design we created in class as part of our Finnals project. The design passed all TESTs that I was to perform upon it, both within the software and as submited to a Board House. The only errors detected were marked as Automaticaly corrected by the Board House PCB proto test systems. No showstopers detected.

Then after submission, as the Project was merged with others so that a Master layout could be produced and finnalized for an Order. I was informed that my project had failed a CAM test, and consequently I would recive a Failed Grade for the project.

Some how the drill holes in Three locations were not centered with Top and Bottom layouts, resulting in annular rings less than 3 mills.

So, I ask:

is it possible that this is any way my fault? Do I have Controll over this?

is it possible that this is the fault of a Footprint error?

how could I have known about this prior to file Export?

are there any known issues with Drill Files having Centering issues after Export?

we exported 4 files to be sent to the Board House,

Coppertop.gbr

Copperbottom.gbr

Silkscreentop.gbr

Drill-File.drl

[lacy]

Have you been able to isolate exactly when the error occurred? It sounds to me that if it passed all you tests and the Board House testing, then I can't imagine when it occurred. There are only 2 possibilities. 1) Ultiboard made an error 2) the error occurred durring the manufacturing process.

If it was Ultiboard then I will defer this to NI. If was the board house then maybe you need to either contact them and together try to figure out what happened or switch board houses.

I really hate to hear about you receiving a failing grade on your project. That has to be a tough thing to deal with after all the work you did.

Message Edited by lacy on 12-16-2007 10:27 PM

[rflulling]

Thanks for the Re Lucy,

This seems to be present in Utiliboard. I was able to open the Exported Gerber Files a Graphic in another application and it was Obvious they were not properly aligned. Though I could not overlay the Drill file. So Utiliboard Exported the File like this.

Fortunately it is not a major loss of work since the design contains 7 parts and fits in less than 1sqin. But it is a Final Project so its not a loss I appreciate, and will not accept without a Fight.

I thought for a time that the teacher had some how committed the Error while standardizing the layouts, and he refused to admit to it. However through diligent investigation I was able to determine that the File was infact Exported like this.

The issue is Im being forced to accept a grade, for an error, that I believe is Totally out of my hands, that I did not make and could not correct even if I wanted to. So I seek to know if this is a Known issue, and if in anyway I the user can be to blame for this error.


Perhaps I should offer up the Following Specifications and Maybe the error can be reproduced.
-foot print effected: Hole Through: CAPPR200-500X1100
Pads all share the Following Configuration
Pad Diameter: 0.05511780inch,
Standard Drill Diameter: 0.03149591inch,
Plated,
Solder Mask: Top & Bottom
Global PCB properties,
Through Hole Pad Annular Ring (Top, Inner & Bottom): FIXED 0.0070000inch, from Drill hole
Via Drill Dia: 0.03917000inch
Via Pad Dia: 0.06333969inch
Surface Mount Pad Oversize Top&Bottom: 0.00300000inch
Trace Width: 0.01000000inch
Clearance: 0.01000000inch

[kittmaster]

I've used 4pcb.com as well, and have yet to have any CAM issues. Are you sure you didn't mess with the aperture list or the default options during export?

[rflulling]

Nothing has been altered except for what I listed. in the above two posts. Infact in the Student version you cannot export GERBER. I had to move my Thumb drive to a School PC and Load the files into the Educational Version.

During export I checked with the teacher and confirmed that I would be doing this with all Default settings. The Copper Top, Coper Bottom, and Silk Screen would all be in GERBER. The Drill file was its own Format. I was told that any tweaking would be done by the Board House.

The 4 files were then Zipped and submitted for a Test Online. Which passed. This same Zip file was also Distributed to the teacher with no alterations in-between.


The customizations I made were all in the Foot Prints and the Pad sizes.
I tried to Build a Custom Foot Print for the Capacitors, but there must be something else in the Program missing in the Student version. I could not make a Capacitor Foot Print that would also make a 3d capacitor... So other than the Pads sizes NOTHING was changed.


Lastly, I never shared details concerning the Board House used.
So where did you get your information?

[kittmaster]

Since I'm a college professor, I had to learn it.

I try to use the export option and the format to be RS-274X for each layer and then export the NC Drill last.

Also check the sheet properties to ensure that drill diameters values are not equal to the size of the vias. That could be the issue.

Also verify this is in the global properties as well.

If not attach your file here so I and others can review it.