Fast EMS
Elite Layout
Virtual librarian
Versatile Design
PCB LAYOUT SERVICES
1. What do I need to give you so that you can quote my design?
2. How long does a quote take to prepare?
3. What do I need to give you so that you can start my design?
4. What are the steps in the design process, in simple terms?
5. Is there anything I need to do while you are designing the board?
6. What will you deliver to us when the project is completed?
7. Do you fabricate and assemble the PCBs as well as design them?
8. We're still engineering the project. Is that a problem?
9. Library Administration
1. What do I need to give you so that you can quote my design?
You need to provide us with:
- The general size of the board, the expected number of layers, and, possibly, the quantity of boards you expect to have fabricated
- The type and quantity of each component, in the form of a Bill of Materials (BOM)
- The schematic and netlist
- Also, any special requirements that might increase the complexity of the design, such as a board that has a high percentage of matched pairs or tuned nets
2. How long does a quote take to prepare?
Generally, we can give you a quote on your pcb layout within 24 hours. Quotes for 'turnkey' pcb assembly will take 2 to 3 working days.
3. What do I need to give you so that you can start my design?
We need:
- a detailed mechanical drawing showing the board outline, the location of cutout areas or height-restricted zones, any keepout areas, and the placement of any fixed components. We prefer .DXF format, but a print will also do.
- a final Bill of Materials (BOM), listing all components including bypass capacitors, testpoints, etc., and a legible specification sheet for each component. A BOM that has web links (URLs) to each manufacturer's spec sheet is an excellent way to supply dimensional details of parts. (Some common part specs may be omitted, e.g., 1206, 6032, and 0805 parts.)
- a final schematic and netlist.
- a complete list of design requirements, including routing requirements, testability, critical signals, minimum clearances, etc.
4. What are the steps in the design process, in simple terms?
- The library is searched for parts; New parts made from specs, if necessary
- Parts list and netlist integrated into the design
- Board outline drawn; Parts placed
- Customer approves placement
- Critical traces routed (usually manually) and approved by customer
- Interactive and autorouting of remaining traces
- Customer approves routed board
- General cleanup of traces
- Silkscreen information generated
- Final customer review of design
- DFM check performed and any corrections made
- Fab and Assembly documents created and bundled together into deliverables
- Ship
5. Is there anything I need to do while you are designing the board?
Yes, quite a bit. You need to be available to answer the designer's questions during the course of designing the board. When the parts are placed on the board, we will send you a parts placement drawing, which you need to check and approve. You need to approve of the routing of critical traces specified in the design requirements. We will also send you check prints of the final design, which you need to approve. In addition, you need to oversee the paperwork within your company, so that the completed job may be delivered on time.
6. What will you deliver to us when the project is completed?
Completed projects are delivered in three files: Fab, Assembly, and Database. Each of these files is in a compressed format to reduce their size:
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Fab - This archive holds all the files necessary to fabricate the PCB, including the gerber files, drill data, fabrication drawing(s), and any other necessary data.
Assembly - This archive holds all the files necessary to assemble the PCB, including the assembly drawing, pastemasks, SMD X/Y files, test data, and any other necessary data.
Database - This archive holds all the files created by the CAD system to complete the design.
Please treat all these archives as corporate assets, and store them as carefully as any other important files or documents.
7. Do you fabricate and assemble the PCBs as well as design them?
We can provide complete 'turnkey' services for your project from PCB engineering, design layout, through fabrication and assembly. We do all the PCB assembly in house with our fully automated SMT lines. We work with several PCB fabricators that are geared for various types and sizes of projects, in order to match your needs with the most appropriate fabricator.
8. We're still engineering the project. Is that a problem?
Yes and no. Continuing to engineer the project while we design the board is not the most efficient way to work. There may be extra costs involved, because we might have to undo certain things that we have done, in order to change the design. Also, since the schedule is dependent on the amount of work involved, the due date will most likely be a moving target throughout the entire design process. But we're up to the challenge if you are.
9. Library Administration Services- FAQ
When I buy a block of pre-paid time, how do I know how much time I have left?
Once we receive a PO for a specified block of time, our library group will generate a time tracker in .xls format. All time needed to create a request part is logged to the nearest 5th minute. Once the tracker is close to no time left, Optimum will send out an email to that effect. Customers may request a copy of their tracker at anytime.
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Where do I send my request to?
All requests must be sent via email to Library@OptimumDesign.com .
By doing this, all of our librarians will see the request and be able to coordinate and complete the effort. If an email attachment exceeds 4 megabytes in size, it will be necessary to set up a secure FTP account for you on our server.
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What data and information do I need to provide for a request?
Optimum recommends that the request include the manufacturer datasheet, any special instructions (i.e graphic representation of how the symbol is to be created), and a priority list if sending multiple part numbers at one time.
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How long will it take?
Requests of 1-5 components will take typically 24 hours or less. If a particular component is needed sooner then please include that in the request and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
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Will the library components be made to my company’s specifications?
Yes, since we have found this mainly applies to the creation of schematic symbols and database entries. We will build the new component entities directly in your corporate library and thus maintaining the specifications that already exist.
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Is there some kind of verification procedure in place to ensure accuracy?
Yes, once the component footprint is created by one librarian, it will be verified by another librarian.. Please note, Optimum puts in as many check and balances as possible but mistakes can and still do occur. If for some reason Optimum has made an error, please be sure to let us know so that we can fix the component and get it back to you.
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What if I don’t use up all my time in a specified period of time?
Once you purchase a pre-paid block of time, you will have access to this time until you use it all. If this time is not accessed with in a 12 month period it will expire and not be useable.
For more information call or email Library@OptimumDesign.com .