Working with Rapid Circuits

Communication is essential in any business relationship, especially when time is critical. It pays for both parties to know ahead of time what is required and what is expected. Knowing the information we need and how we go about translating requirements into a manufactured PC board helps our customers prepare for a clear handoff of pertinent information.

When we provide a quotation, unless the customer asks otherwise, we will default to IPC 600 class 1 and IPC 1602 class 2 criteria. If you have any question on these criteria, feel free to call our engineering department at 1-800-347-7710 extension 29 or 40.

When we receive a new design, or new revision of an existing design, we review it and the artwork for compliance and consistency to the applicable IPC spec. In the event of a conflict, we will evaluate it for manufacturability and contact the customer immediately to resolve any issues. Items such as hole size and location, plated vs non-plated holes, solder mask openings for pad locations, proper sequence of intermediate layers, etc. are all essential bits of information to the final outcome.

Here is our internal basic checklist for design features:

· Check for design/software errors

· Minimum line width and spacing

· Pad sizes and minimum annular ring

· Plane layer clearances

· Power-to-ground shorting

· Plane layer periphery clearances

· Internal clearances for cut-outs

· Completed thermal connections

· Mask clearances for all holes and pads

· Exposed features

· Silk screen character width and clarity

· Silk screen clearance over exposed metal

Here is a checklist for our customers to use in providing us a complete information package:

· Drawings for the correct part number and revision level with relevant design notes. These notes should include;

o A clear reference of layer stack-up/order of assembly

o Solder masking and silk screen details:

§ Color

§ Any special requirements for font, size or logo

§ One or both sides

· NCD drill file with info on:

o Size

o Location

o Plated vs unplated

· Complete set of Gerber files.