CAD Conversion Services
Sunstone uses Gerber files to manufacture your PCB design. If you do not have Gerber
files, Sunstone can provide CAD conversion services.
As an alternative to providing Gerber files for your order, we can use your EAGLE,
Altium, Protel or Ivex CAD files to generate the files required for manufacturing.
To request the CAD conversion service, simply check the box in the order process
labeled "File Conversion" on the appropriate quoting form:
General Notes:
- CAD conversion is not a design check service. We will generate Gerber files from
your CAD data as sent with CAD application settings.
- If your order is for a multi-layer board the files generated during CAD conversion
will be returned for customer approval; allow an extra 24 hours for approval prior
to manufacturing. This review step is bypassed for double sided orders, except as
noted below for Altium Designer Winter 09.
- Please review your files using a Gerber/NC Drill file viewer. Since this is part
of the software package that we use internally, it will give you an exact visual
of your layout as we see it and allow you to see how your completed boards will
appear using our PCBexpress® quickturn service.
- If your layout requires a design change after initial CAD conversion, there is a
$25 per instance charge for additional conversions due to revised or resubmitted
files.
PCB123® Users
With our free CAD software you have the flexibility to order PCBs directly from
within the layout software or from our Sunstone website. There is no added lead-time
and no CAD conversion costs when you submit your PCB123® file with
a Sunstone Full-Feature or PCBexpress® quickturn Order.
Altium Designer & Protel Users
We can convert your Protel 99SE and DXP, and Altium Designer 6, Summer 08 and Winter
09 files to Gerbers. Please send *.pcb or *pcbdoc files. If you would like to provide
*.ddb or .prjpcb files, please ensure they contain only a single .pcb or .pcbdoc
file. Because we currently don't support Altium Designer Winter 09, we will send
the generated Gerber files to you for final approval before starting manufacturing.
EAGLE (CadSoft) Users
Our CAD conversion service supports layout files from EAGLE versions 4.11, 4.16
and 5.4. Unfortunately, we cannot convert schematic files to layouts for you. Please
note that during the file upload process it is important to specify which layer
objects we should use for silkscreen and inner layers (mid-layers). If you do not
specify which layers to use, we will use the following default settings for silkcreen
per our CAM scripts or place your order on hold for clarification on inner layer
object selection:
- Top Silkscreen: L21 & L25 (tPlace & tNames)
-
Bottom Silkscreen: L22 & L26 (bPlace & bNames)
For extra convenience and peace of mind, we also provide the following CAD conversion
service add-ons for EAGLE:
- CAM Job: Download and install these files to add the official Sunstone
CAM processor settings to your EAGLE installation.
- Drill Size Adjuster: This user language program (ULP) extension
for EAGLE automatically handles the tedious job of matching hole sizes in your design
to the Sunstone PCBexpress® quickturn specification.
- Design Rules: Our DFM Add-Ons for EAGLE are EAGLE design for manufacturing
rules (DRU) files written in accordance with Sunstone's manufacturing criteria for
2, 4, and 6 layer designs.
Ivex Winboard Users
Since Ivex is no longer in business we recommend customers try our no cost Design
Software,
PCB123®
and take advantage of our 24/7 support and award-winning innovations. Ivex files
are mirrored by default when created. If you choose to do a CAD conversion of the
Ivex board file yourself, prior to file submission, it is advised to place "right
reading" text somewhere on the top layer and name the file extensions names *.L1,
*.L2 etc., for proper orientation. NOTE: If there is no text on
the layers, they will be run "as sent."