Let’s look at some of the biggest benefits of using high-quality PCB layout software for your designs.

Reduce the Complications of Design

As mentioned, designing a printed circuit board is not easy. There are many elements that need to be considered during the construction of the board and it gets complex rather quickly. Using quality PCB layout software helps to strip away those complications. Everything is digital and can be changed, updated, and manipulated quickly and easily. It becomes easier to keep track of everything you are doing during the design process. Many find that using PCB layout software helps them to work faster because they know that they can change things so easily if needed.

Find and Fix Errors Early

When you are using PCB software, you will likely find that you are making fewer errors. This is because it is easier to keep track of what you are doing, and software can look for compatibility problems and errors. It can point out those errors and, in some cases, even offer fixes. By finding these issues early and fixing them, it means that you will be able to move on to production faster than you would have otherwise. It also means that you are not going to be spending money making prototypes, or a run of thousands of PCBs, that have errors.

Save Time and Money

Because you are working in a digital space, it also means that you are saving money on your own materials. You can create the board virtually, test it in the virtual space and have it double-checked, and then order a prototype to use. Because the software helps to reduce complications, it means you are not spending as much time with back and forth on the design process. You can fix the errors faster, which means you can move ahead with an order to create the products you need. You are saving time and money by using PCB layout software.

Try New Ideas

Working with PCB layout software also means you are capable of thinking outside of the box with your design ideas without any risk. You can create a design and test it virtually to see whether it will work or not. This gives designers more freedom than they might have had otherwise.

What Should You Look for When Choosing PCB Layout Software?

• Cost: Today, there are many options on the market for this type of software, but you need to be sure you are choosing an option that will provide you with the results you need. One of the first things that you are likely to think about when it comes to choosing software will be the cost. This is natural. Whether you are a solo hobbyist creating your own PCBs or you are a large company that is in need of PCBs for new devices you are making, price is important.

The truth of the matter is that the prices for software can vary. There are some options that are quite expensive, and most people do not want to spend $1,000 or more on software. Fortunately, there are free options, as well, such as PCB Artist. Keep in mind that cost does not mean quality. An expensive piece of CAD software will not have the capabilities of free software that was designed specifically for PCBs.

• Features: Regardless of which type of software you opt for, you will want to be sure that you are choosing an option that has all of the features you need. Compare the software you are considering to the other choices on the market to see that it has what you require. Does it offer Gerber format files? Does the software provide design rule checks and support? Does it offer integrated schematics? Will it have a library manager? How large is the library? Can you create the types of PCBs that you need with the software or not?

• Ease of Use: Additionally, you will want to have software that is easy to use. Some software will have a steeper learning curve than others, but it should not be so complicated that you have to spend weeks trying to figure out how to use it correctly. The software should offer a guide to help you get started. If the company offers video tutorials, it is even better.

Once you have the software, you will want to familiarize yourself with it by using the guide or the tutorials previously mentioned. Do this before diving in and trying to create an important PCB design. This ensures that you will have a good understanding of how to use the software and where to find various features when you start using it for PCB design.

Make PCB Artist Your PCB Layout Software Choice

There are many options on the market for CAD software that could be used for PCB design, and there are some specifically made PCB layout software choices available. With all of those options, why should you choose PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits? One of the major reasons is the fact that the software will not cost you a thing. We offer free software, so you can easily design quality PCBs that will work well once they are manufactured.

Take the time to check out the features of our free PCB software including more than half a million parts in the library and the free technical support we offer. Whether you are new to the field or you have been creating printed circuit board designs for years, this will soon become the first piece of software you consider when you are designing a new PCB.

Fortunately, there are good options for free PCB design software you can start using. At Advanced Circuits, we provide what we believe to be one of the very best options, and it will not cost you a thing. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of using the right software.

PCB Artist Design Software – Free and Fully Functional

Today, creating and designing printed circuit boards is easier than it has been at any time in the past. One of the big game changers in this area was the creation of design software geared toward printed circuit boards. Quality software can make the process faster because it is possible to look for and find potential mistakes before making a prototype or going into production. It can save time and money.

However, if the software being used is not high quality, it could end up causing problems. Poor software is one of the reasons that some PCB designers still struggle at the design stage. Some of the free PCB design software options that are available are woefully lacking in terms of features and capabilities. Other types of software are very expensive, and not everyone is capable of paying for a pricey piece of software that they might not use very often.

It does not have to be that way. We have an option called PCB Artist. This free PCB design software is a fully-featured option that is sure to please even the most critical designer. The design software has features that are not found even in expensive options on the market today. It is considered professional-grade software and offers free, live technical support. The software includes many features that help to make the design of the PCBs faster and simpler.

Some of the Features of the Free PCB Design Software

The robust library is one of the draws of the software. The library for PCB Artist has more than half a million parts. In addition, you can create up to 28 layers. The software features Gerber format files, and there is a design rule check and report. You can spot errors and correct them before you try to make a prototype of your PCB, which means you will not be wasting your time and money with designs that are not going to work.

The software has a controlled autorouter, component autoplace, individual colored nets options, ratsnest connections optimization, multipage schematics, and a host of other features that help to make it a standout option among the software choices that are available today. When you take the time to compare this software with both free and paid CAD software options on the market, you will see that PCB Artist is head and shoulders above the competition.

One of the best things about this free PCB design software is the fact that it is intuitive and easy to use. While those who have experience in designing printed circuit boards and using other software will not have any trouble, neither will someone who is still learning. It has an easy-to-understand interface. You should be up and running with the system quickly.

In addition, there is a user’s guide that is available for download, tips and tools, and video tutorials. These help to answer questions that people might have about the software and get everyone up to speed. The live tech support is available by email or phone.

You will not need to have a powerful PC to run the software. As long as you have a Pentium processor that is faster than 1.8Ghz and 512MB of RAM, you should be fine. Keep in mind that you will need to have at least 1.26GB of space on your hard drive for the install, but this should not be an issue with most. However, you will want to keep in mind that Linux and MAC OS are not supported at this time.

Creating the PCBs After Designing Them

After you have gone through the process of designing the PCBs and running them through virtual tests to ensure they work, you will want to create a prototype or a production run. Getting a prototype is often a good idea, as it will allow you to see how the PCB works in practice, and you can make any needed changes before going into production.

Once you are certain it is ready, it is time to place your order. Advanced Circuits has decades of experience in this field and is one of the largest manufacturers of PCBs in the United States. The materials used in the construction of the PCBs are always of the highest quality, and you can expect the same quality in the construction of the boards. All of the files for PCBs we make will receive a free engineering file review. This provides you with an additional check to ensure that your circuit boards are ready.

Save Time and Money with Free PCB Design Software

When you choose the software from Advanced Circuits, you will find that you are saving not only on the cost of the software but also saving on wasted time. For those who are using low-quality pieces of software or who do not have software that allows for comprehensive testing, it means mistakes are likely. Those mistakes will cost time and money that most people do not have today. Instead, start using our free PCB design software to get your printed circuit boards ready, so you can have them manufactured.

Writing them without errors, though, is easier than it may seem. Gerber files are digital blueprints for your PCB. They detail each layer and shape the fabrication process that will be used to make even the most innovative designs. Many producers demand Gerber files, even if they are an assembly-only part of the process. This is to ensure clarity on all of the physical attributes of a PCB.

This means that even a single mistake will lead to all kinds of delays, financial issues, production problems, and losses. If you are using a “no-touch” manufacturer or fabricator, it also means it is a “no review” production process. They don’t analyze your Gerber files or PCB design, and it makes it easier than ever for incomplete, flawed, or inaccurate Gerber files to make their way into production, resulting in a PCB that doesn’t work.

Is the Gerber file so wrought with potential disaster as to make it a problem? No, it is simply that there are common glitches that are easily overlooked.

Common Glitches to Consider When Working with Gerber Files

Many are unaware of the most common problems with Gerber files, but it is immensely useful to know about them when entering into the PCB design and production process. These problems include:

• Empty files – Any designer may unintentionally delete or negate file content, leaving a 0-byte file that offers no workable data for the production or fabrication team.
• Flawed file naming protocols – Among the most common concerns with Gerber files is the use of a flawed file naming protocol. Leading to confusion for others involved in the process, this also complicates file checking or troubleshooting.
• Incomplete or missing data – Empty files are one thing, but it is also possible for details or information to be lacking or mismatched against the specifications delivered to a manufacturer. It is crucial for Gerber files to be where they belong, accessible, and complete.
• Conflict between layers – Some software creates multiple Gerber files with design specs at every layer. Should those layers fail to be combined synchronously, it can lead to composite layer design errors outside of individual layer design specs.
• Aperture lists – When Gerber files are in use, it is best to have a single aperture list with details the fabricator or manufacturer will need, as well as specs relating to the tools necessary for each stage. Multiple lists can mean errors, and the format of the lists should be in sync with the Gerber file format, as well.

Those experienced in Gerber file creation may think of such mistakes as avoidable or inexcusable, but they are common events. They doom most projects to huge production costs, lengthy delays, and failure. Avoiding them requires attention to detail, the use of high-definition CAD programs, implementing the best quality assurance practices from start to finish, and using a Gerber file viewer.

Because problems are so common, the best PCB manufacturers and fabricators offer free resources to prevent such issues.

Advanced Circuits Offers Support for Flawless Gerber Files

Advanced Circuits is among the top names in the PCB and prototype assembly industries. With the ability to handle PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, it provides clients with services that help improve all projects, especially the quality of their Gerber files. This is done by making a range of free resources available that support the creation of projects from first phase to final product.

Advanced Circuits offers the following options:

• The Advanced Circuits website has free PCB file check software for those with complete Gerber files ready to enter production. Known as FreeDFM, it is a program that will rapidly evaluate printed circuit board design files, correct many issues, and send a full report that identifies any other issues that could present problems along the way. Those who use this tool get a discount for simply running the files through the program. It does require an import of Gerber files (via an online upload). However, the software is free to use, and it will utilize the registered email address to send all of the analysis (in a PDF report) as well as the discount code.
• PCB Artist As anyone familiar with PCB design and manufacturing knows, most customers rarely get to tour a fabricator’s facilities or work one-on-one to address issues or avoid common errors. Once a great way to prevent problems, the global nature of PCB production makes this impossible. This is why Advanced Circuits offers another resource – the free PCB Artist program. This has a long list of features that guarantee an error-free design process and includes unrestricted design capabilities with a 28-layer limit, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. This is not the same as Gerber files but includes a full library of tutorials that help all users to create flawless files.
• Free Gerber file reviews, corrections, and reporting by an engineering expert.

Further Resources to Trust

While this array of design resources proves invaluable to many, Advanced Circuits also dedicates itself to client satisfaction and success in other ways. For example, work is never subcontracted, there are never tooling fees if an order sticks to standard specs, and there is 24-hour tech support provided by a CAM engineer. They make no minimum order requirements and have the best on-time shipping record in the industry, with many orders arriving ahead of schedule. They are so sure they can meet customer needs that Standard Spec orders are FREE if they fail to arrive on time.

Gerber files can be a major hassle, but the tools and services available via Advanced Circuits support only the best results. Avoiding costly errors and long production delays are a thing of the past when your files are created without errors or problems.

While jumping into PCB design was once daunting and inaccessible to beginners, PCB design software opens up a new world of possibility. Check out this guide to get the basics of PCB design and how to get started with PCB design software today.

Who Will Enjoy PCB Design

PCBs are the foundation for all modern-day electronics. Although they’re incredibly complex and challenging to design, at-home hackers and tinkerers have been re-configuring and designing their own PCBs since the 80’s – even on cardboard plates! Anyone interested in electronics will enjoy learning about the mechanics of a PCB and creating their own. PCB design is also a great way to bond with older kids and teens over an engaging project that’s still educational!

Ditch At-Home DIY 

While there are tons of blogs dedicated to at-home DIY PCB fabrication, this is the fastest way to burn out, become frustrated, and it is potentially dangerous. Some aspects of a well-designed PCB, such as drilling holes, creating two-sided boards, plating, and soldering, are extremely challenging with the tools you have at home. Some DIY PCB creators also use toxic etching chemicals to create traces on their boards.

Rather than going this route, we recommend using a PCB design software program. You can find these for free on the internet, and they will allow you to rapidly create prototype PCBs without the hazards and hassle. PCB design software will connect you to a community of minds that you’ll never get by tinkering in your garage.

What is PCB Design Software?

PCB design software is like a window into the minds of other PCB designers. PCB design software is a library of PCB designs from other users to simplify collaboration and testing out new models for an entire community of hobbyists and professionals. Using PCB design software, you can create your schematic and then convert it to a PCB with every precise detail in place. Many PCB manufacturers offer their software for free so that users can complete the entire process without converting files or adding in more steps. No more frustration with drilling holes or etching by hand!

Getting Started

To get started, you’ll first need an idea of what you’d like to prototype. Here is where you can get creative. You can either improve an electrical product you already own or even build your own. For folks looking to customize their remote work set-up, perhaps you’ll design a PCB to improve your keyboard or computer. Or, if you’re looking to entertain the kids, maybe you’ll create a fun LED board, light-up ornaments for the holidays, or a toy. If you’re a big kid yourself, try going out on a limb and building your very own drone. The possibilities are truly endless since PCBs are so customizable and are present in every electrical system. Once you have an idea in mind, you’ll find a community of tinkerers that can give you tips and tricks based on trial and error.

Next, look at finding the right PCB design software for your purposes. There is an overabundance of PCB design software tools on the market, and many of them are free. Make sure to choose one that’s connected to a PCB manufacturer. This is important because the free PCB software will allow you to create your schematic and convert it to a PCB, with all the resources within that library, but also give you the relief of knowing that the file the software creates is compatible with your PCB manufacturer. It would be such a bummer to design your PCB, but then be unable to build it because the manufacturer of your choice doesn’t accept your file type.

As you get started, you’ll probably first want to design a PCB prototype. Using PCB design software is a low-risk and cheap way to tinker. It gives you the freedom to make and learn from your mistakes. Some software also allows you to test your prototype virtually to make sure that all of the components are in place or help you spot where there might be issues with your design.

Once you’re fully satisfied with your prototype, you’ll be ready to hit print. If you’re taking advantage of a free PCB design software that is connected to a PCB manufacturer, this process is incredibly easy and quick. You’ll have your custom made PCB in no time to power up your newest creation.

PCB Design Made Easy

For PCB design beginners, hobbyists, and tinkerers, Advanced Circuits is the best choice. Advanced Circuits is a full-service PCB manufacturer that can bring your innovations to life. Their free PCB design software, PCB Artist, includes a components library with over 500,000 parts. Their software is incredibly intuitive for fast and free PCB layouts. Create as many virtual prototypes as you’d like until you get it just right. Once you’re satisfied with your prototype’s design, you can run your Gerber file through their free file checker to ensure you have all the necessary data, which also eliminates errors during the manufacturing process.

Keep On Creating

The best part of the tinkering community is their curiosity and creativity. If you’re starting to dabble in PCB design, don’t be discouraged or intimidated. Everyone started as a novice who slowly worked their way up to more and more complicated designs. With so many blogs and forums, you’ll be able to find advice from more experienced tinkerers to get you past any hurdle. And free PCB design software like PCB Artist will give you the extra confidence you need to keep on innovating.

It also opens up the door to the risk of losses due to flaws in the PCB design. Even when top-tier PCB design software is used by a skilled expert, there can always be mistakes that a production team can recognize. The “no-touch” approach used by most subcontractors, though, allows for glitches because files are often received and run without evaluation.

The good news is that some domestic PCB manufacturers have the ability to offer one-stop production, including access to free, premium PCB design software, along with expert evaluative services.

PCB Design Software to Ensure Optimal Results

Advanced Circuits provides customers with PCB design software, and rates as one of the most well-known companies in the PCB and prototype assembly industries. We handle PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, but it is often our PCB design software and expert support that sets us far apart from the crowd.

A one-stop shop with more than two decades in the industry, we provide customers with exclusive services that support, facilitate, and improve any project. The resources available for the PCB design process include the following.

Free PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist – Whether novice or expert designers, customers are often delighted by the entirely complimentary access they receive to this innovative PCB design software. Unrestricted, it is capable of up to 28 layers and includes more than 500k parts, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. Easy to use, it is a noted printed circuit board design tool throughout the industry.

Free PCB File Check – Whether or not the free PCB Artist software is used, there is also the FreeDFM program that enables clients to run a free and fast design assessment. The software uses PCB design software files uploaded into the system and then evaluates them fully. The program ensures files feature all essential data, automatically corrects some issues, and provides an easy-to-read and use report. Clients using it also enjoy a discount when they run the designs in advance of submitting them to the team.

If a customer is using Gerber format files, the PCB design software and File Check program can still be put to use. There are free uploading tools, and it takes only the submission of a client email to obtain the full evaluative report. It takes only minutes, and a quote, discount code, and link to the PDF of the results will appear.

End Problems Using PCB Design Software

Worried that you are going to have to relearn the use of PCB design software to enjoy the free tools and resources…as well as enjoy all of those benefits? Don’t be! The PCB Artist software comes with printable tutorials and video options that take even the extreme beginner through the complex process of PCB design and manufacturing. And there are experts on-call 24 hours a day to help.

Additionally, on top of the free file review software, every single order receives a free engineering file review before the fabrication process is initiated. What is this? An actual engineer examines the file and guarantees that customers never experience the kind of financially harmful outcomes they might have received via the more common no-touch services from outsourced work. Rather than an easily correctable design flaw allowed to go through and ruin a batch, the trained eye will detect issues and correct them before a project begins.

And, while the free PCB design resources made available on our website is enough to demonstrate why we are a preferred provider, there are many additional reasons to use and order through the PCB design software, including:

• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, we’re always glad to eliminate tooling charges and cancel out such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• We are NOT a broker – Advanced Circuits never subcontracts work. Instead, we rely on our top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kind of quality and speed most want but don’t always receive.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around-the-clock is great, but we also feature a live tech support team that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night and get answers about the free PCB design software or PCBs, in general.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than they might need or use.
• Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the best on-time shipping record in the industry.

Partner with Advanced Circuits for Error-Free PCB Design

Don’t spend a moment worrying about learning curves and other similar struggles for our free design tools. They are easy to use and include tutorials. Instead, get ready for a far more efficient design process, simple ordering, and discounted pricing. There are so many reasons to choose Advanced Circuits, and as you have seen, we go well beyond the free PCB design software. We ensure that any designs (whether received as Gerber files or another format) are without easily correctable mistakes. This saves time and money while keeping your firm on schedule. The free evaluation resources available include engineering reviews, and we make engineers available around-the-clock to help with any issues or questions.

It is difficult to beat this approach to PCB design and production, and with guarantees that orders arrive when scheduled (or they are free), it makes good sense to get in touch with Advanced Circuits and get your project started today.

These viewers can help to eliminate issues with the manufacturing of the board, as you can get the data and feedback you need. This will ensure that you are not sending out work that is incorrect to the manufacturer. Everyone who is designing a circuit board, regardless of how simple or complicated it might be, will benefit from a Gerber file viewer.

What Are They and How Do They Work?

To understand the benefits of a Gerber file viewer, it is important to understand more about printed circuit boards. PCBs are boards that contain electronic components. These might include capacitors and resistors, for example. The circuits are mounted to the board, and elements of the board are connected through thin strips of conducting material. This is often copper.

The Gerber file format is considered standard in PCB design. This means that most people in the field will know and understand what a Gerber file is and how to read it. It helps to have a standard that can be used throughout the industry rather than having multiple proprietary files.

The Gerber file describes and communicates the components of the PCB image, such as copper layers and other attributes. Gerber files can also be input files for PCB printing devices that can make or compare circuit board images. They are essentially “sketches” that provide information about the makeup of the circuit boards. They help to guide the production of the PCB from the design. There have been three generations of Gerber files.

The Standard Gerber, RS-274-D, was the first generation. Extended Gerber, RS0274X, was the second generation, and Gerber X2 is the latest generation.  Modern Gerber files will also often include metadata.

Each of the Gerber files will equal, or correspond to, a single layer in the physical board. This could be the bottom signal layer, the top signal layer, inner layers, etc. In the past, it would often be necessary to provide the manufacturer with the Gerber files, which they would use to manufacture the PCB. This meant that it was not always possible to catch issues in the design until it was too late.

The Introduction of the Gerber File Viewer

To make the process faster and easier, the Gerber file viewer was created. This is a software that will allow you to check the contents in a Gerber file. It is a fast and easy way to get a better understanding of the design and how it will translate to the actual PCB. There are many tools on the market, including software that can be downloaded and installed on a computer.

However, we’ve opted to make the process even easier for our clients. We at Advanced Circuits provide a free to use tool that is right on our website. You can upload your Gerber files for viewing on your own time. The tool is available around the clock, and it works easily. Anyone who has a Gerber file can use the tool to upload and view. They do not have to be an active customer to use the software.

Our Gerber file viewer, called FreeDFM, can look at the inner plane layers for spacing, trace width, annular ring, inner clearance, and thermal reduction. It can check the outer layers for spacing, trace width, and annular ring. It can check drilling for double hits and missing hits. It also checks the solder mask for undersized clearances and missing clearances. It checks the silkscreen for line width. The inner signal layers can be checked for spacing, trace width, annular ring, and inner clearance.

Our system will provide you with an easy to read graphical report. This can make it much easier to understand the findings from the Gerber file viewer, so you can easily see if there are problems you will need to address. We can ensure that the files contain all the needed data, and one of the most significant benefits of our viewer is that it can automatically correct some design issues. This means that if you have some small issues, they could be fixed for you automatically, which can help to reduce your workload.

Besides the information that can be gleaned from the Gerber file viewer, we can also provide you with a detailed PCB quote.

We make the system as easy to use as possible. You will first want to export your Gerber files from the design software and then upload a zip folder to the online tool. You can then provide your email address, where the results will be sent in a matter of minutes.

Why Choose Advanced Circuits?

In addition to our free Gerber file viewer, we can provide you with a wealth of other benefits when you work with us. We’re known for our speedy turnaround time and rapid shipping, which ensures that you get your PCBs quickly. We are one of the largest companies in this field, and we can provide you with reliable service, manufacturing, and assembly. If you have custom orders in mind, we can help with those. Also, there are no minimum order requirements for PCB orders.

Those who need a company that can reliably manufacture their PCBs will want to check out everything that Advanced Circuits has to offer. We can provide you with the services you need and using the Gerber file viewer helps to ensure that you are getting a great board that works the way it should.

After all, prototyping means designing something new, having the unit made, addressing flaws or design issues, and only then sending it into production. There is always the risk that a design flaw might be overlooked, and working with subcontractors can actually increase such concerns. All of these factors are why so many people will avoid the entire process and stick with a less than desirable solution. Settling for a stock or standardized design, however, is not a forward-thinking approach.

The good news is that there is no such thing as one size fits all circuit board design. Advanced Circuits, a top industry manufacturer, offers an array of resources capable of empowering firms with even limited budgets to upgrade, customize and enjoy flexibility. Of course, it helps to have a bit more clarity on just what is available generally before delving into the options in custom printed circuit board design.

The General Options in PCB Design

A simple or basic list of the options for PCB design include:

• Single Layer
• Double Layer
• Multi-Layer
• Rigid
• Flexible
• Flex-Rigid
• High-frequency
• Aluminum-Backed
• Full Spec
• LDI
• Oversized
• Heavy copper
• and more

Clearly, this means an array of production capabilities has to exist and come in at the right price and quality points to meet such a diversity of potential needs or designs. Advanced Circuits can supply almost any type of production capability and facilitate premium circuit board design that goes along with it.

Optimal Circuit Board Design from Advanced Circuits

In addition to there being such a diversity of PCB types, there will be many design needs. For example, printed circuit board design may involve only a single layer, or it might be two-sided, but the complexity of modern electronics may necessitate up to 28 layers incorporated into a design, and each layer will require synchronous interaction. This means there is always room for error in circuit board design, and the option for multiple sets of eyes and various levels of expertise may prove remarkably beneficial and cost effective.

Because of that, Advanced Circuits has created a system of tools, resources and services that are all meant to facilitate optimal circuit board design. The resources and services include:

• Expert advice – In addition to classic customer support, our team includes access to CAM engineers 24-hours each day. Customers are able to phone in design and engineering questions and have them answered by a professional engineer.
• Expert Reviews – CAM engineers also conduct a thorough review of each design as it is about to enter into the production process. This is a final check and guarantees that there are no issues that might lead to a negative outcome.
• Full and free design support – In addition to expert engineers, Advanced Circuits offers industry best software meant to enable superior design. PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist features a library of more than 500k tools and components that can be built into designs of up to 28 layers. It can control auto router functions, multi-page schematics, and more. It is offered in an unrestricted format, meaning it comes at no cost but allows top-of-the-line design options.

After that, clients are able to use the FreeDFM program, which requires an export to Gerber file format and upload to the Advanced Circuits website. Once that fast and easy process has been completed, the client can enjoy a full evaluation of the PCB design. A report is emailed to the provided contact and it explains which flaws were discovered, remedied and what were targeted as potential showstoppers, but left in place.

As any professional knows, PCB design is the key factor in the whole process. A single error makes a prototype a failure or an entire batch of PCBs useless. It could lead to enormous wastes of time and resources. Yet, the entirety of the process does not begin and end with design. There are other factors that impact whether or not printed circuit board design is as successful or effective as it could be.

A lot of it has to do with the approach the producer takes to the process. Advanced Circuits ensures that its clients experience a process that empowers their success, from the design phase to assembly. This means that we:

• Keep it in house – Our enormous production facilities are Advanced Circuits’ way of proving commitment to the entire process. We are able to work with design files and a team of engineers that ensure files are complete and appropriate to the client’s goals. However, we also handle fabrication and assembly on the premises, too. While so many modern manufacturers are “no touch,” we are most distinctly hands-on and manage every aspect of a project.
• Comprehensive website – The ease with which clients can get the tools needed and then use them effectively is only one part of our service. We also provide instant quotes, unique client pages where previous orders and simple reorders are possible, stencils, file uploading, order tracking, and “through software” orders. Design something using the free PCB Artist software, and order it once it has cleared the CAM or free evaluation services. This also gives clients a discount on any standard spec orders.
• Tooling fees – Many manufacturers impose a tooling fee on standard spec orders, but clients can count on a fee-free process with Advanced Circuits. Even if a custom spec orders is re-ordered, the tooling fees are cancelled out.
• No minimum orders – Budgets are protected by Advanced Circuits’ no minimum order requirements, and whether it is a single board with a single day of turnaround time or a huge order, the quantity is in the hands of the clients.

Advanced Circuits Removes the Challenges in the PCB Production Process

The PCB design and production process is full of potential challenges and issues. Advanced Circuits clients receive their specific designs without breaking the budget, slowing production times or wasting resources. Whether clients need one PCB, small batches or larger orders, Advanced Circuits can produce quality printed circuit boards to client requirements.

To get an instant PCB quote and learn more about our quick turn capabilities, review our standard and custom spec PCB page.

No Touch PCB Manufacturing Leads to Disaster

The modern world has made a sudden and rather massive shift into the online, mobile, and web-based model. As an example, in the past, PCB manufacturing meant a company would usually pay a visit to a PCB manufacturing facility or headquarters to work directly with the team designing or making such crucial components. The fabricators and the client would have to interact several times in order to guarantee that there were no design flaws and that the entire project (from prototype to batch manufacturing) proceeded exactly as expected.

Today, this is a far outdated system and for many companies in need of small to large batch PCB manufacturing, the process involves overseas and no-touch providers. If domestic, it might still mean very little interaction and the guarantees that such exchanges bring. It might even be that the PCB manufacturing and assembly are done in different locations or by different providers.

This can prove quite problematic because it might mean that client expectations are left unmet or even unknown by the manufacturer. It can mean that errors in design go unnoticed until the post-production period when the PCB is meant to be put to use in the final product, but fails to yield the results necessary. And this would mean that the batch of PCBs is unusable; production would be halted, and budget and resources wasted.

Fortunately, the team at Advanced Circuits has created a system and perfected it over the course of more than twenty years. Offering PCB manufacturing – fabrication and assembly, prototypes, and more, we can facilitate projects from start to finish while overcoming many of the potentially harmful issues outlined above.

Free Resources Ensure Fail-Proof PCB Manufacturing

Advanced Circuits proves that the advent of technologies that make everything possible through the Internet instead of real-world exchanges may not be a bad thing. We manage this by using a system of free and effective resources that enable clients to get the very best in PCB manufacturing outcomes, and all done entirely online. Here’s how:

• PCB Artist Software – Free to download and use in its unrestricted format, this industry-best software has more features than anything else on the market, and yet it is also provided in an unrestricted format with more than 500k parts and components in the customized library. Using it also means that some preliminary glitches are erased and that design is streamlined through the presence of a controlled auto router function, digital schematics, and more. Additionally, the use of the software allows clients to enjoy discounted pricing when submitting as a Standard Spec order through the program.
• File Review Software – Our FreeDFM software is another free to use resource that takes the common Gerber file (exported from the client’s software and then uploaded to the site), where it then evaluates a design and ensures that all essential data is included, adjusts or corrects design flaws, and issues a report that itemizes any potential showstopper errors, and identifies what the software was able to address and fix.
• CAM Engineer Review – Before any PCB begins the production process, the designs and/or prototype are reviewed in house by a team of Advanced Circuits’ CAM experts. Advanced Circuits also features live tech support provided by these same CAM engineers at any hour of the day or night, which allows clients to pose any questions or concerns and get a skillful and well-informed answer.
• Through software ordering – When a client has decided that the design is entirely free of errors and that it is ready for entry into the full production cycle, the free software allows them to go right ahead and make that order. When it is submitted in Standard Specifications it also enjoys no added tooling fees, and if it is a Custom Specifications order that has already been produced and enters as Standard Specifications, that same tooling fee deduction is applied.

Regardless of the size of a company or the complexity of a project, the cost of producing PCBs can be surprising. Investing in the necessary software and technologies, having the right teams to understand what is needed, and then seeing the production process completed properly can all add up. After all, even the simplest boards must work their way through key phases that include:

• Design – Is there a team to manage design? What sort of software is in use and what are the costs associated with it? Is there a dedicated team meant to evaluate the blueprints to detect errors? What costs are associated with the prototype? How fast can it be completed?
• Evaluation – Whether designs are printed on films or digitally, someone must troubleshoot them. Is this an outsourced step? Is it something that the manufacturer is counted on to provide? Has this been integrated into the production plan?
• Production – Is this going to occur in one facility with all of the substrate creation, layer building, UV hardening, copper removal, laminating, pressing, drilling, imaging, etching, soldering, and inspecting done by a solid team?

Avoid Costly Errors – Trust Advanced Circuits for a Premium PCB Production Experience

There are too many points in the PCB manufacturing process where disaster might occur, and it makes sense to avoid any potential risks by working with a one-stop shop. This is precisely what the team at Advanced Circuits delivers. Providing the tools required from start (including high end design software) to finish, our team can deliver. No minimum orders and professional reviews guarantee that modern innovations don’t get in the way of a premium production experience and outcome.

Gerber Files and PCB Design Software

Gerber or IX274X files (they are the same) are the end products from the most commonly used PCB design software options. They are what can be called “step one” in the production or manufacturing process; they are the digital or physical blueprints for the completed printed circuit board. In the past, experts generated layers of transparent film overlays that used color coding to delineate the different areas of the board, and offer some help with identifying design flaws.

The advent of advanced PCB design software, however, has allowed manufacturers or design teams to cut down on the steps and use the software to display and adjust the layers. The initial designs generated from the PCB design software focus on the design and maybe the process used for assembly. They do not highlight any areas of concern or error.

This means that even a blueprint generated by the finest PCB design software, and used by a skilled expert, may contain errors in the Gerber (or other file types) that lead to a batch of useless boards. This is especially true in our modern age of outsourcing and production-only services.

Consider that one undetected problem in the Gerber file for a printed circuit board may pass unnoticed through the hands of the subcontractor. They are likely to be overseas or what is deemed a “no touch” producer that just uses the files and makes the boards, and this means that an entire batch of PCBs can be made, and create a financial, production, or scheduling nightmare.

That is why it is imperative for any companies using printed circuit boards to identify the best PCB design software and resources intended to avoid those issues. It is also important for any team to understand where flaws in Gerber files might prove their downfall, and how to overcome such risks. While it is putting the cart before the horse to offer the solutions before itemizing the problems, it is helpful to understand that there are options for PCB design software and evaluation tools that can eliminate all the risks present.

Free PCB Design Software and Analytics

Advanced Circuits rates as one of the most trusted and popular domestic producers of PCBs and prototypes. Offering full design to shipping services, and assembly, we also help our clients  avoid the costly errors just itemized above through the use of free design tools. Whether using Gerber files or another design program, the Advanced Circuit site has an option for exporting design files into the site’s free PCB file check software, known as FreeDFM, and getting a comprehensive analysis on the design. By uploading the files, entering contact information, and sending it into the analysis engine, a client gets a full analysis of the design. The software quickly evaluates and repairs problematic issues in the printed circuit board design files, and also generates a report of any questionable issues left uncorrected. Labeling them as potential showstoppers, it ensures that a customer does not waste time or money on flawed or entirely useless production jobs. And even more exciting is that those who run the Gerber files before submission enjoy a discount from Advanced Circuits on the project.

In addition to the troubleshooting software, Advanced Circuits also makes industry-best design software available entirely free for clients to use. The free PCB Layout Software known as PCB Artist is provided in an unrestricted format (along with a library of more than 500k common parts and components) and can be used to design PCBs of up to 28 layers. With such functions as controlled auto routing design tools, digital schematics, and much more, it also cuts down on the risks of a flawed design. Files generated through this program can also be run through the file check to ensure the best outcomes and a discount on the work.

And just what sorts of problems will these tools help erase from Gerber files? The most common include:

• Flawed file names– It is not at all unusual for Gerber files to be created via a flawed naming protocol. This causes confusion within the process, and can only be detected by file checking or troubleshooting ahead of the game.
• Empty files – In addition to flawed names are empty files. Designers frequently move, erase, or negate data and this inserts zero data files into the process, and which runs the risk of causing issues in the design and fabrication process.
• Missing data – While an empty file is one thing, a file with incomplete data is another. Our free PCB design software and checking services show when details don’t line up with specifications or when there is mismatched information. Gerber files must not be void of key data, so any opportunity to eliminate such a glitch will save a lot of time, money and headaches.
• Conflicting layers – Gerber files feature design specifications at every layer. The designer has to ensure that the specs function synchronously, or there will be errors at every subsequent layer.

Correctly Designed & Manufactured Printed Circuit Boards

There is no real reason for any glitches to occur in the design process, but there are many reasons that they can and do. Using free resources like those from Advanced Circuits cuts down on any potential risks plus helps a company keep design, fabrication and manufacturing moving smoothly.

Upload PCB design files to FreeDFM here.

Before delving into the ways a design team might get both a cheap PCB prototype and full PCB production, let’s look at the overall process to figure out why this is even a concern.

Is There Such a Thing as a Cheap PCB?

PCB manufacturing processes make it seem as if a cheap PCB prototype is impossible, and that bulk PCB production is cost prohibitive. The basic process of a two layer (or more) PCB involves:

• Designing the board – Creating blueprints using the appropriate software and file formatting can be a relatively expensive endeavor since investing in software may be required.
• Printing –The design is printed on films, in some production processes, as this helps troubleshoot the design, but some firms use specialized software to identify potential shortfalls in the design even before a cheap PCB prototype is ordered.
• Production –Building the substrate, printing the layers, UV hardening, copper removal, lamination, inspections, pressing, drilling, plating, imaging, etching, soldering, and even silk screening stages are then used to create the PCB before the final prototype or board is tested.

This process holds true, even if it is just a single layer cheap PCB needed for something as simple as a calculator or other lightweight electronic device. This means that the production of a single PCB can be impactful to the budget. The more complex, the more design and evaluation is needed, and the higher the risk of errors that could lead to a large batch of flawed, and therefore useless, PCBs.

How to Guarantee That Even a Cheap PCB Is Effective

For many electronics firms and companies in need of at least one type of PCB, the idea of a cheap PCB typically translates to something outsourced or produced overseas. This eliminates a lot of the quality controls usually present in a domestic option, and it is why Advanced Circuits is an ideal resource for any company wondering if traditional PCB production and cheap PCB can yield the same, optimal outcomes–regardless of complexity.

The answer to that concern is simple: Yes, we offer the best solution for cheap and production PCBs. This is because we make an abundance of free tools available that help to streamline the manufacturing process while also guaranteeing that some of the costliest issues just cannot occur.

Advanced Circuits is a full-service manufacturer of PCBs with over twenty years of expertise and experience. Our focus is supporting clients and facilitating projects of any kind; even on the most limited budgets. We do this by providing the following resources:

Free PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist: It does not matter if the design team is highly advanced and skilled, their time still costs money and boosts production expenses. This can turn the creation of simple or cheap PCBs into a far more expensive issue. This software, made available in an unrestricted format for clients, can design PCBs of up to 28 layers. It has full integration with a library of more than half of a million parts, a controlled auto router function to streamline and speed up design, and multi-page schematics that replace costly and difficult to read film printouts. Entirely free to use, intuitive and simple, it is considered industry-best where printed circuit board design tools are concerned, and those who order from Advanced Circuits enjoy full use of the program. This cuts costs and helps ensure that cheap PCBs are possible.

Free PCB File Check: Whether or not a team uses the free resource that is PCB Artist, they will certainly want to use our FreeDFM program. This is an evaluation tool that requires design files to be uploaded to the site, and then a series of diagnostics are run and guarantee that the most glaring errors are corrected automatically. It also poses questions of files that seem to have potential errors. This prevents the creation of a batch of flawed PCBs, and the company extends a discount to clients that run designs through the software as part of the submission process.

Using the design and file checking programs costs a client nothing but the time it takes to export the Gerber (or other file types), upload them, use any of the tools, and register for a full report to be sent via email. Along with the report comes a discount code to ensure the cheapest PCB creation process possible.

Saving Even More on PCBs

Besides these resources, Advanced Circuits offers the most affordable, high quality PCB production through such features as:

• No minimums: Whether it is one PCB produced in a day, or multi-layer PCBs produced with the best on-time shipping record in the industry, there are no fixed lot requirements locking a customer into huge, bulk orders and more product than might ever be used.
• No tooling fees: Standard specifications on a PCB design mean no tooling charges will apply, and even Custom Specification orders reordered as Standard Specification orders also have the tooling fees waived.
• No subcontractors: One way that some firms cut costs is to sub out the project, but with a massive domestic production facility, Advanced Circuits’ clients can rest assured no brokering is involved.

It is not always true that cheap PCBs and standard PCBs can be produced to the same high quality standards. Clients that use Advanced Circuits’ cost-cutting resources and industry-leading services will discover that affordable components can also be high quality, complex and reliable ones.