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Design Rule Checking

John Sabino edited this page Jun 23, 2015 · 9 revisions

All designs should be verified by the DRC (Design Rule Checker) in the PCB layout utility before prototyping or sending for final manufacturing.

How to set DRC Configurations:

gEDA:

  • Run PCB Designer.
  • File
  • Peferences
  • Sizes

Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer Tolerance Standards:

  • These Tolerance Standards were last checked on September 13th, 2014.
  • Minimum Copper Spacing = 7.00 mil.
  • Minimum Copper Width = 7.00 mil.
  • Minimum Touching Copper Overlap = 10.00 mil (This was not specified on their website).
  • Minimum Silk Width = 5.00 mil.
  • Minimum Drill Diameter = 8.00 mil.
  • Minimum Annular Ring = 5.00 mil.
  • Check the box "Use DRC values as the default for new layouts." (Now you won't have to set these ever again!) <- NOTE: This does not appear to work when creating a new layout from schematic.

In-shop Prototyping

  • Minimum Copper Spacing = 10.00 mil.
  • Minimum Copper Width = 10.00 mil.
  • Minimum Touching Copper Overlap = 10.00 mil (This was not specified on their website).
  • Minimum Silk Width = 10.00 mil.
  • Minimum Drill Diameter = 10.00 mil.
  • Minimum Annular Ring = 10.00 mil.
  • These values are subject to change, currently these are the PCB Designer default values and have not been tested in shop. These values are speculated to be within our capabilities (01/10/2015).

Checking your printed circuit board design against the DRC:

gEDA (PCB Designer):

  • Window
  • DRC Check
  • Maximize the new window (I have issues seeing the errors otherwise).
  • Press the Refresh button to update the list (it will not display when you first open it).
  • Double clicking the error will place your mouse at the location on the board that it corresponds to.
  • The affected objects (trace, via, pin, pad) will also be highlighted in a bright green to identify itself.