Instructions for assembly | Beta LAYOUT GmbH

PCB layout - avoid errors

Footprint and component labelling

We require the following documents to be able to successfully assemble your printed circuit boards:

Placement plan
BOM
Pick & Place file if Gerber format is used

Initial problems often occur at the PCB layout stage which can affect the entire project.

- Please make sure that the footprints (land pattern), that is the component landing points of the components to be assembled, comply with the specifications of the respective manufacturer.

- The IPC-7351 offers alternative recommendations and design specifications: http://www.ipc.org/

- Footprints from the standard libraries such as Eagle "rcl.lib" are suitable for manual assembly, but not for automatic machine production, as we do.

Solder drained into a via

Tombstone effect

QFN housing with exposed pad

Reference marks

- Please avoid placing vias on the soldering surfaces of components pads, this causes the solder paste to flow during reflow and will not guarantee a reliable solder joint.

This error is unfortunately made quite frequently and may lead us to identify this site as an error using AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection).

This can also cause the "tombstone effect" where components are lifted vertically during reflow.

Paste data

A component also includes the correct paste data in addition to the footprint.

Unfortunately, it happens time and time again that e. g. in QFN housings the exposed pad in the middle of the component is forgotten. Since the paste data is used to manufacture an SMD stencil required for PCB assembly we recommend that you double-check the paste data before ordering to avoid any errors.

Stencil

Based on your paste data, the stencil is created. Therefore, you should definitely check if all solder pads have been included.
If you order a partial assembly, please note that all pads that were created in the paste data are also printed with solder paste.

When mounting THR components, the corresponding holes and residual rings need to be included in the paste data, as these locations must also be cut out just like normal SMD solder pads.

For logistical reasons we do not send you the SMD stencil.

Reference points

Please include at least two or more preferably three reference points in your PCB layout. There is often a corresponding library within the PCB layout program with such reference marks (Eagle = marks.LBR).

If this is not the case, simply place 2 or 3 reference marks/fiducials (Ø = 0.5 mm - 2 mm), which should not be covered with solder mask, as far away from each other as possible. Generally, these should be placed diagonally in the corners of the PCB.

The pick and place machine finds these points using a camera and all components are placed on the coordinates relative to these points.

If during the PCB assembly stage, we notice that components do not match the designated location in the layout, we reserve the right not to place these components, meaning they are not to be assembled.

Errors in PCB layout

Please note: In the event of a PCB layout error, we cannot guarantee an error free assembly.

If we notice any errors, we will contact you immediately and if necessary invoice for any rework

Component placement plan - briefly explained

Correct designation of the components

- Correct designation and marking of the components

The component placement plan serves among other things the visual final inspection. The correct designation and marking of the components is important.

It should contain the following information:

- Alignment of polarised components (e. g. connectors, terminal blocks and sockets)

With poled components, make sure that clear and unique identification is present.

A simple dot (.) is often not clear enough for LEDs or electrolytic capacitors. It is much better to use the typical symbols such as “+/-” or “A / C”.

- Alignment of connectors, terminal blocks and sockets

These are often drawn only as a rectangle. Please enter details for the orientation (e.g. indicate cable feed).

With some layout programs it is also possible to print out the assembly as a 3D view or to additionally send a photo of an already assembled PCB.

- Component names

Please create legible component names and clear assignment of the component designation.

The components and component names must be clearly visible on the component placement plan.

- Outer contour

On the assembly plan, the outer contour of the circuit board must be clearly visible.
If components protrude beyond the edge of the board, please draw them accordingly.

Reference marks in Gerber

Double-sided PCB assembly
If you order a double-sided PCB assembly, make sure that the bottom layer is mirrored when printed in, for example, a PDF. Component names and polarities must also be clearly legible here.

GERBER

Additional marking

We require the coordinates of at least two reference marks (TOP = REF1T + REF2T, BOT = REF1B, REF2B), which must also be present in your Pick & Place file.

Hiding of the tracks or copper planes
To create an optimal image, we recommend hiding PCB tracks or copper planes and to show only the PCB outer contour, component contours and component names (make sure the printout has sufficient contrast).

Correct and incorrect creation of the component placement plan

- Clear assignment of the component name
- Legible component name
- Polarity of components is drawn

- Assignment of the component name does not exist and/or is illegible
- Polarity of components is missing

BOM - listing components perfectly

The BOM (Bill of Materials) is important to process an order quickly and smoothly.

The necessary BOM format templates and specific information on individual data formats can be found on our website under "Instructions for BOM and component placement plan“ on this page. The components that we currently have in stock can be found in the current stock list (.xlsx).

Specific BOM format

For the component placement, we can only accept the BOM in our specific format.

Please note:

Component values

- List all components according to their value.

- Assignment of the component designation must be absolutely identical to those used in your layout (Altium, Eagle, Target). The output of your Pick & Place data is taken from your layout file, which prepares the data for the automatic placement machine. If there are any differences, this may lead to incorrect placement or unnecessary delays because we will need to consult with you.

- Avoid different spelling values such as: 100nF=0.1uF or 100_nF=100nF (example file BOM / row 3 + 4).

- Component values should not be assigned more than once: e.g. 100n, 100nF etc. (example file BOM / row 3 + 4).

- Correct component order numbers. Specified values may be different (e.g.: BOM = 3k32 > order number = 3k3). Here we cannot determine if the value can still be placed (example file BOM / row 8).

- All Components that are not to be populated must be marked with "No" in the "Place Yes / No" column. (example file BOM / row 12).

- Any deviations between the quantity specified in column QTY and the actual quantity specified in the column "Parts" can lead to delays. This may result in too few components being ordered, which only becomes noticable once the actual PCB assembly process begins.
It is crucial that the correct number of components to be ordered is listed in the column "QTY" (example file BOM / row 5).

- Incorrect assignement of components as BETA stock components

If you assign components in your BOM as BETA stock components, that are NOT listed in our current stock list, we have to omit these items. Subsequent reloading or soldering is not possible. (example file BOM / line 9).

Manufacturer part number for provided components

Marking

Please provide a manufacturer part number (MPN) for each component that has a marking (usually semiconductors such as diodes, transistors and ICs) and that you provide to us.

Please enter this number in your BOM in the column "Value" or "Remarks_customer".

During our final inspection of your assembly, we check the markings on the components. For this we need a clear marking.

If you use our practical tool MAGIC-BOM® , please note this number in the "Component details" window in the "Remarks" field.

MAGIC-BOM - the fastest way to assemble

What is MAGIC-BOM?

This tool creates your bill of material (BOM) as if by magic: You drag your layout onto the drag & drop field in our configurator or in the banner at the top of our website. In the tool that opens, add the appropriate components. A BOM is created in a user-friendly table (which you can also receive by email) and you order your printed circuit board.

Your advantage is a cheaper assembly through our own, cheaper beta bearing components, a faster creation of your parts list, because you can choose from the available components for your BOM immediately, as well as an instant price that you receive.

How does the MAGIC-BOM work?

1. In the "PCBs" section of our website, drag your file onto the drag & drop window in the banner at the top of our page or use our configurator in the menu on the left under "Online price calculation". You can track the upload of the file in an upload window.

After a few seconds, scroll down to the "Configuration" item in the configurator, recognizable by the "MAGIC-BOM" logo. Select "Yes" under the "Assembly" item.

With Altium and TARGET 3001! your file will now be processed directly. At Altium you may still be asked for a contour layer.

EAGLE: With the EAGLE format, however, a second drag & drop window opens. Now drag the schematic file (recognizable by the file extension .sch) onto the window.

Another upload bar now appears in which the number of components is counted.

2. "Overview" window

After the upload was successful, the "Overview" window opens automatically. Here you can add the components that match your layout to your BOM. At the top right, next to the clock symbol, you can see the remaining time for processing, which is available if no further action is taken on the website.

In the "Overview" window, click on "Add", one of the yellow buttons on the right side of the window. Now the "Component details" window appears.

3. Component details

In this window we present you with a proposal for a suitable component.

If we cannot immediately present a result for you in "Component details", the "Find component" section appears (see 4.).

The window has two areas: In the left area under "Component suggestion" important technical values, a component description and prices are shown.

In the second area "Placement" you can choose whether you want to provide the component yourself.

You can also determine which component positions we want to populate and which component positions should remain empty.

Once you have made these settings, you can confirm the component in the list in the overview with "Apply & Continue" and go to the next position. However, you can also skip this position or search for another component.

4. Find another component

If you click on "Find another component", a "Find component" area appears next to the "Component information" area in the "Component details" window. This area consists of 2 search fields.

On the right you can place your component, deselect the placement or choose the option that you provide a component.

If you have an MPN number or a SKU number available during the search, this is of course optimal, you can do a corresponding search in the lower area of the search field.

However, if you do not have this option, you can search with a description or in the upper field with package and value.

If the search was successful and you get a result, you will be taken back to the "Component selection" window, where you can choose one or more components. Add the right component. Now click on "Apply" for the selected component.

You will be taken once again to the "Component details" window, where all values of the selected component are clearly displayed.

If necessary, you can also enter a comment here and indicate whether you want to have any components that were not placed with the printed circuit board sent to you.

Confirm with "Apply & Continue".

Should you unfortunately not come to a result, you would have to provide the necessary components. This is possible in the section "Provide component".

5. "Overview" window

The component positions of your BOM, to which a component has been successfully assigned and for which you have ordered or provided a component, are marked with a dark green button and an OK check mark.

If no selection has been made for a component position, the button is still yellow. You can edit your components at any time, i.e. search for another component, change the placement etc. After you have added the required components from the "Overview" window to your BOM, click on "Next" to go to the "Component positions" window.

6. "Component positions" window

In order to make the overview easier for you, we have listed all the components in various categories in a table.

The following categories for placement are available and are shown if necessary:

"Ordered and placed by Beta LAYOUT"

"Provided by you and placed by Beta"

"Not placed"

If everything is OK in the "Component positions" window, click on "Confirm BOM".

After ordering, you will receive the BOM for free as an excel sheet.

7. MAGIC-BOM in the configurator

Your BOM is now stored in our configurator. If you want to edit your BOM again, please click on "Edit" next to the MAGIC-BOM logo at the bottom of the configurator.

Under "Use MAGIC-BOM" you can release the BOM for use with "Yes". This is the default.

With "No" you can deselect the MAGIC-BOM again.

Here you can also request a free Excel sheet in which all components are listed again.

Now place your order in the shopping cart under "Into the shopping cart". You are not yet a customer? No problem! Simply click on "Create offer", here you can have us send you an offer by email.

8. Components in the shopping cart

If you are now in the shopping cart, you will see your PCB in the list at the top with the various processing options. The next section contains the "Components" item.

Here you can choose whether you want to see details such as your components, whether you want to delete all components, i.e. the BOM, or whether you want to edit your BOM (with this selection, you will return to the MAGIC-BOM).
Please be aware: If you delete your BOM, you will remove all information that you have stored in your BOM!

Components - each one is important

Tray

When selecting your components, check all packaging as well as the availability and lead times. We can only begin the PCB assembly process once all the required components are received.

It is often the case that various distributors provide corresponding information on the packaging. If this is not the case you should always check with your distributor before ordering.

Any components that are not supplied in machine-compatible production packaging cannot be assembled, in certain cases, they may have to be replaced or the component assembly can be completed manually with an additional charge (calculated on the basis of time required).

The following points should be considered when providing components:
- Only distributors with on-line order options (shopping cart), EURO as currency

You can choose whether we order the required components for you or you provide them to us. If we order the components for you, we can only accept distributors with on-line order options (shopping cart), EURO as currency and without credit card payment.

- The components should be delivered in a machine-compatible production packaging, such as rod, tray, roll or reel.

- For plugs, sockets and pin connectors, a placement aid / cap is absolutely necessary, so that they can be equipped by our automatic placement machines.

Cap as placement aid

- Provide reeled goods as a contiguous section and avoid “multiple snippets”. In addition, a feed (> 24 mm) is necessary so that the straps on the machine can be setup.

- If you provide components, ensure that they have been properly stored. For older components where this has not been the case, this can lead to problems with the soldering joints. The components you provide must be delivered in a dry condition (see IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020D; IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033B.1).

- The assignment of provided components works on the basis of the BOM you provided, so please label the components with the appropriate name (e.g.: R1, R2, R3,... /10k/0805).

- Components for different projects must be marked accordingly, for example they should also have the project name. Components that are used in different projects must not be present on a single reel section, but they have to be delivered separately with the desired excess amount because we may process different orders separately and on different machines.

Excess amount

The following applies for excess amounts:

Package 0603 or larger: 20% more components (min. however 10)
Package 0402 and 0201: 100% more components (min. however 20)

With high-value components can be dispensed with a excess amount, if these components are machine-compatible with appropriate reel feed or in rod or tray. If no reel feed is available, the typical excess quantity is 1-2 pieces more.

Although we conduct an incoming goods inspection to the best of our due care and diligence, please be advised that we are not liable for components delivered incorrectly or defective and consequential damages resulting from component placement.

Pick & Place file - perfect placement

The Pick & Place file contains the co-ordinates and other important component details which are needed to program the automatic pick and place machines.

Gerber Pick&Place file

Ordering using Altium, EAGLE and Target 3001!

If you order from us using the supported formats such as Altium, Eagle or Target, we will export this file for you - directly from your PCB layout file.

Pick & Place via Gerber

When ordering using the “Gerber format”, please note that we do not have the PCB layout file and we need you to provide the Pick & Place data. Please see the example on the right which details how the Pick & Place file should be supplied.

Identical component values

It is very important that the component values are identical to those supplied in your BOM, as otherwise incorrect placements will occur. Note here a uniform notation of the component values (1k and 1k0 are two different components in the automatic assignment).

The coordinates always refer to the center of the SMT components. Please use millimetres (mm) as a unit of measure.

Reference marks

Also note that the reference marks (fiducials) drawn in the component placement plan ( TOP=REF1T + REF2T; BOT=REF1B + REF2B ) are listed here with the corresponding X and Y coordinates. This also applies to the lower left corner of the PCB.

Field „Comment“ in Altium

An important note for customers who order from us using their Altium file: The component value must be entered in the “Comment” field, as this is required to generate the Pick & Place file correctly.

Field "Comment" in Altium

Soldering process and methods

Soldering SMD (vapour phase)

PCBs are soldered using a vapour phase process after all the SMD components have been placed. This soldering method has the benefit that a relatively low soldering temperature (240 ° C) is required and the assemblies can be soldered without overheating.

Steam generation in the vapor phase:
In the soldering zone is an inert liquid, which is heated by electric heaters to boiling temperature. After reaching the boiling point, the liquid does not heat up further. Each additional energy supply is used to generate steam (evaporation enthalpy). It forms a saturated, chemically inert vapor zone whose temperature is identical to the boiling point of the liquid.

The steam condenses on the surface of the item to be soldered, since the temperature of the item to be soldered is lower than the boiling point. The condensation process stops as soon as the item to be soldered has reached the temperature of the steam. Solder alloys with underlying melting temperature are then already liquid. The item to be soldered is then automatically lifted out of the process area.

Selective wave

Suitability of the components for the soldering process

Please make sure that your components are suitable for the soldering process. This information is usually in the corresponding data sheets provided by the component manufacturer. Often, microphones or sensors are not suitable for soldering with this vapour phase method. If you have any doubts, please contact the manufacturer beforehand.

Soldering process THT (selective wave soldering)
THT components are usually soldered using a selective solder wave technique.

Distance THT to SMD components

When completing the PCB layout, it is important to ensure that no SMD components are placed in the immediate vicinity of the corresponding solder joints of these THT components (Min. distance 2.5 mm). Also, solder joints between high components are difficult or sometimes impossible to reach. We also perform manual soldering using a conventional soldering irons, but this method is not feasible for large quantities.

Spacer aid for LED

Spacer aids
If components are to be mounted and soldered at a certain distance from the PCB, we require the appropriate spacers or installation aids. Otherwise, details such as “please solder on LED with 10 mm distance to the PCB” cannot be implemented.

Larger quantities of wired components must be supplied as machine-compatible goods similar to SMD components. Further requests such as e. g. bending / shortening resistors and diodes are not possible.

THR (Through Hole Reflow) assembly

THR (Through-Hole-Reflow) or also PiP (Pin-In-Paste) is becoming ever more popular. This is not surprising: Two techniques can be combined resulting in a single process step.

THR soldering process

For this purpose, solder paste is introduced into the appropriate vias of the THR components. This happens during the same work step as the paste of the SMD components using the stencil. Therefore, it is very important that you take these vias into consideration with your paste data, otherwise these pins will not be soldered. Subsequent soldering is not easy, since the pin of such components only protrude minimally out of the circuit board or sometimes not at all.

Panelizing made easy

Protruding components

Your PCB will be manufactured in a frame for assembly purposes and we will take care of these details.

However, protruding components need to be identifiable in the PCB layout so that the lands and the frames can be created correctly.

PCBs with an edge length of less than 20 mm are always supplied in panels and not as single units.
This is due to quality assurance reasons.

If you order PCBs in a self-created panel format, these panels will not be separated.

Component placement variants
If you require different assembly variants for your PCB design, we need to create separate orders for each variant.
A suitable BOM and a corresponding component placement plan are required for each order.

Instructions for BOM and component placement plan

As an alternative and quicker way to creating your BOM, you can use our online MAGIC-BOM.
After uploading your EAGLE, TARGET 3001!, KiCad or Altium PCB file using our drag and drop function, we will present you with the MAGIC-BOM.

Where possible, we will help you by making suggestions for each component. This includes suggestions from our Beta Stock.
We also provide a search function to find a wider range of component suggestions or you can enter the component details manually.

We will display the price for suggested components (plus shipping) and charge the supplier price for the manually completed components later.

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for EAGLE

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Fusion 360

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Altium

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Target 3001!

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for KiCAD

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Gerber

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for ODB++

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for EAGLE

The standard components, which we keep in stock are listed in the file “Beta_Stock_day_month_year.BOMdb”.
You can use these components on request in your EAGLE BOM file.

For this, components such as R-EU_ resistors, C-EU and CPOL-EU capacitors must come from the original EAGLE rcl.lbr library.

In EAGLE, use the function “Component Placement Variants”, we need a separate order for each variant, indicating which variant is to be filled with components.

1. Download the file “eagle_e.zip”.
Unzip the file into the directory: C:\Beta LAYOUT\PCB-POOL BOM

2. Start EAGLE and open the file “test.sch”. The *.brd file must be located in the same folder.

Run the following ULP:
“C:Beta LAYOUTPCB-POOL BOMPCB-POOL-BOM-17.ulp”

This ULP was originally based on the BOM.ulp, which was provided with EAGLE in 2004 and improved over the years by Robert A. Rioja.
The original version can be downloaded from the CadSoft web site.

3. Your schematic tab should look like the picture on the right.

The setting “Grouped by” in the lower left corner must be set to “Same values”.

All parts that are in the “Beta_Stock_day_month_year.BOMdb” file are automatically integrated into your Bill of Materials.

EAGLE Tab Dataset compared with Beta_Stock Dataset

4. Verify that the Data Inventory tab contents corresponds to this Beta_Stock Data Inventory.

If not, you can open the file “Beta_Stock_month_year.BOMdb” with the button “Open Database”.

EAGLE tab Output PCB-POOL.BOMsu - Setup file loaded

5. Make sure that the setup file“PCB-POOL.BOMsu” is loaded in the output tab.

If not, please download the file with the “Get setup” button in the lower-right corner.

The “PCB-POOL.BOMsu” setup file must be loaded after the “Beta_Stock_day_month_year.BOMdb” database file. (See point 4).

Save Bill of Materials file with the Save output button

6. Save your "Bill of Materials" file with the button "Save output".

Make sure that you have selected the table format (spreadsheet).

Specific format of the BOM (Bill of Materials)

7. Import your "Bill of Materials" file in Excel.

If you are having trouble reading a * .csv file (there is no separation of the individual field), try the following:

rename the extension *.csv into *.txt
open Excel
click “open file”
select “All files (*.*)”
select your *.txt file
select the text conversion wizard:
- original file type: separated
- Separator: Comma

Now please fill in the following fields:

Place_YES/NO - Should we place this component?
Provided_by_customer_YES/NO - Do you provide this component?
Distributor - Where can we purchase this component?
Order number - Under which order number does the distributor provide the component?
Weblink - please help us find your component, especially if it is an exotic product
Remarks_customer - your comment for this component

We fill all remaining fields for you.

The component placement plan for your EAGLE-File

We require the component placement plan stored as a pdf file as additional information for component placement of you PCB.

Please note that the component placement plan also serves as a template for the final visual inspection!
Therefore, the components, component names and contours of the PCB should be clearly visible in the component placement plan.
The orientation of poled components are also indicated here (e.g., diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, connectors, etc.).

Which layer do I have to show in Eagle for this?
For the component placement plan of the TOP layer, please show the following layers:

    LY17:    Pads
    LY20: Dimension
    LY21:    tPlace
    LY25:    tNames
    LY48:    Document
    LY51:    tDocu

For the component placement plan of the BOTTOM layer, please show the following layers:

    LY17:    Pads
    LY20: Dimension
    LY22:    bPlace
    LY26:    bNames
    LY48:    Document
    LY52:    bDocu

How do I print the component placement plan as a PDF?
To do this, in your EAGLE layout editor select the menu item “File” > “Print”.

For printer, select a pre-installed PDF writer and adjust the scale to the format DIN A4
(make sure that the DIN A4 page is well filled).
Select the sheet limit when printing to PDF to “1”.

Make sure the bottom layer has a mirrored output so that the labels are readable.
To do this set the tick under Options “Mirrored” located on the left side.

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Fusion 360

The standard components, which we keep in stock are listed in the file “Beta_Stock_day_month_year.BOMdb”.

For this, components such as R-EU_ resistors, C-EU and CPOL-EU capacitors must come from the original EAGLE rcl.lbr library.

In Fusion, use the function “Component Placement Variants”, we need a separate order for each variant, indicating which variant is to be filled with components.

1. Download the file “eagle_e.zip”.
Unzip the file into the directory: C:\Beta LAYOUT\PCB-POOL BOM

2. Start Fusion 360 and open the file “test.sch”. The *.brd file must be located in the same folder.

Data stock tab compared with Beta_Stock data stock

4. Verify that the Data Inventory tab contents corresponds to this Beta_Stock Data Inventory.

If not, you can open the file “Beta_Stock_month_year.BOMdb” with the button “Open Database”.

Load the PCB-POOL.BOMsu setup file in the Output tab.

Saving the Fusion Bill of Materials file with the Save output button

6. Save your "Bill of Materials" file with the button "Save output".

Make sure that you have selected the table format (spreadsheet).

7. Import your "Bill of Materials" file in Excel.

If you are having trouble reading a * .csv file (there is no separation of the individual field), try the following:

rename the extension *.csv into *.txt
open Excel
click “open file”
select “All files (*.*)”
select your *.txt file
select the text conversion wizard:
- original file type: separated
- Separator: Comma

Now please fill in the following fields:

Place_YES/NO - Should we place this component?
Provided_by_customer_YES/NO - Do you provide this component?
Distributor - Where can we purchase this component?
Order number - Under which order number does the distributor provide the component?
Weblink - please help us find your component, especially if it is an exotic product
Remarks_customer - your comment for this component

We fill all remaining fields for you.

The component placement plan for your Fusion 360-File

We require the component placement plan stored as a pdf file as additional information for component placement of you PCB.

Please note that the component placement plan also serves as a template for the final visual inspection!
Therefore, the components, component names and contours of the PCB should be clearly visible in the component placement plan.
The orientation of poled components are also indicated here (e.g., diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, connectors, etc.).

Which layer do I have to show in Fusion 360 for this?
For the component placement plan of the TOP layer, please show the following layers:

    LY17:    Pads
    LY20: Dimension
    LY21:    tPlace
    LY25:    tNames
    LY48:    Document
    LY51:    tDocu

For the component placement plan of the BOTTOM layer, please show the following layers:

    LY17:    Pads
    LY20: Dimension
    LY22:    bPlace
    LY26:    bNames
    LY48:    Document
    LY52:    bDocu

How do I print the component placement plan as a PDF?
To do this, in your Fusion 360 layout editor select the menu item “Document” > “Output” > “Print”.

For printer, select a pre-installed PDF writer and adjust the scale to the format DIN A4
(make sure that the DIN A4 page is well filled).
Select the sheet limit when printing to PDF to “1”.

Make sure the bottom layer has a mirrored output so that the labels are readable.
To do this set the tick under Options “Mirrored” located on the left side.

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Altium

In order for Beta LAYOUT to assemble your PCBs we need a Bill of Materials (BOM) supplied according to our specifications and we also require a component placement / assembly drawing plan.

1. Download the file “altium_e.zip”. Find the root directory of Altium Designer on your hard drive.

There you will find the subfolder “Templates”.

2. Now save the previously downloaded “assembling_beta_altium.xlt” file to this folder.

Note that in this example the specified target path / memory address may differ from that on your computer!

Open layout with Altium Designer and select Bill of Materials under Reports

3. Next, open your layout with Altium Designer and select “Bill of Materials” under "Reports" in the menu bar.

A new window opens with the required information to the components present in your project.

4. To export this data to the Beta BOM template, select “Grouped Columns” in the top left of the window area by ticking the terms “Comment” and “Footprint”.

In the lower section there is the “Excel Options” with the selection box "Templates". Now select the “BetaBOM-Prototype.xlt” file previously saved to the subfolder.

Then press the “Export” button and enter the destination folder for the BOM save operation.

You should find a BOM in Excel format corresponding to our specifications.

Missing information and special notes in excel file

5. Finally, we request that you fill in the missing information (yellow highlighted cells).

If specific information about components is required, enter this in the column “Customer Remarks”.

Please fill in the following fields:

Place YES/NO - Should we place this component?
Provided by Customer YES/NO - Will you provide this component?
Distributor - Where can we purchase this component?
Order number - Under which order number does the distributor provide the component?
Customer Remarks - your comment for this component

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Target 3001!

The configuration is shown here using the example “Stepper motor” from the Target demo library making use of
Beta LAYOUT components that are available.

1. In TARGET 3001 select! Menu item -> Service -> PCB_service -> Manufacture PCB in PCB-POOL.

After you have configured your PCB according to your requirements, click on the button [Perform component placement]. Please note our instructions regarding the component placement of PCBs and the delivery of components. To do this, click on the question mark to the right of the [Component placement] button.

Enter the required information for the components in the corresponding fields.

2. Double-click to open the line of a displayed component. Please enter all the required information in the appropriate fields.

3. Using the right mouse button you can change the placement properties of several components at the same time.

Under the listed components, you will find a box in which you can enter the desired number of PCBs on which the components are to be placed.

In the field at the bottom right, you are shown the cost of the component placement. Please note that some component costs may be missing, if they cannot be determined automatically.
With the button [Accept Component Placement], the selected placement options are taken over into the calculation of your PCB order.

The component placement plan for your TARGET-File
We require the component placement plan supplied as a pdf file as additional information for component placement of you PCB. The component placement plan is also used as a template for the final visual inspection! Therefore, the components, component names and contours of the PCB should be clearly visible in the component placement plan. The orientation of poled components are also indicated here (e.g., diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, connectors, etc.).

Which layer do I have to show in TARGET for this?

For the component placement plan of the TOP layer, please show the following layers:

LY18: Solder mask top
LY21: Component placement top
LY23: Board outline
LY24: Drill holes

For the component placement plan of the BOTTOM layer, please show the following layers:

LY04: Solder mask bottom
LY07: Component placement bottom
LY23: Board outline
LY24: Drill holes

How do I print the component placement plan as a PDF?
To do this, in your TARGET layout editor select the menu item “File” > “Print”.
For printer, select a pre-installed PDF writer. Tick the options “PCB outline counts” and “Centred”. Entering the scale, adjusts the presentation of your layout in the preview.
Depending on the size of the PCB, it makes sense to rotate the presentation by 90 °. To do this place a tick in “Rotate”. If you need a component placement plan for the bottom layer, then also place a tick by “Mirrored”.

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for KiCAD (up to KICAD 7)

Component placement plan

We need the component placement plan saved as a PDF from you as additional information for assembling your circuit board.

Please note that the assembly plan also serves as a template for the final visual inspection!

Therefore, the components, component names and the contours of the circuit board should be clearly visible in the assembly plan.The alignment of polarized components is also marked here (e.g. diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, plugs, etc.).

For diodes and leds we need the polarity marked clearly. Using points for the marking is not clear enough, we need the information where the anode and the cathode is located, either with A/C or with +/-.

Which layers do I have to show in KiCAD for this?

This depends on the user’s preferred layers.

The outline is always required (normally in the layer “Edge.Cuts”) plus a layer that contains all the component references and outlines (e.g. F.SilkS, F.Fab or any user preferred layer).

How do I print the assembly plan as a PDF?

Open the PCB file and click “File”>”Print”

Select the layers to be included in the drawing, including “Edge.Cuts”. Change to “Fit to page” and click “Print” and select your preferred PDF printer.

If there is a bottom side drawing, select “Print mirrored”. After creating the pdf, please check the pdf to confirm it looks correct.

Instructions to create your BOM from KiCAD

1. Extract the zip file “KiCAD_beta_layout_bom.zip” to any directory on your machine.

2. Open your schematic file (.sch)

3. Click “Tools”->”Generate Bill of Materials...”

4. In the following window, click “+”

5) Browse to your extracted files and select “beta_layout_bom.py”

6) Click OK

7) Add the text “.csv” (no spaces) just after %O and before the final parenthesis so the
output file will have this extension (see image).

8) Click “Generate”

9) Finished! Your csv should now be saved in the same folder as your schematic.

Filling out your csv bom

Your csv should look like on the image on the right:

If we find Beta Stock suggestions, we will insert them for you.
Please fill out the columns “Place_YES_NO”, “Provided_by_me_YES_NO”, “Distributor” and “Ordernumber” (Ordernumber = Distributors sku)

Additional Information

You can use the following steps to help save you time in creating your bom csv.

Insert the fields:

1) “Place” with a Value of “YES” or “NO”,

2) “Provided” with a Value of “YES” or “NO”

3) One of the following suppliers “DigiKey”, “Mouser”, “Farnell” or “RS” followed by the supplier sku.

For example:

If we don’t find Beta Stock for this component and “Place” = “YES” and “Provided” = “NO”, then we will insert the supplier/sku into the csv.

Automatic additions to the BOM if components are missing

“Place” and “Provided” will also be automatically inserted:

Instructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for Gerber

In addition to the Gerber data supplied for PCB manufacture, we need extra information to complete the PCB assembly process. You can download the file “gerber_e.zip” for this purpose and review all details which are required..

1. Bill of materials (BOM)
A template showing how the desired parts list should appear can be found in German in this download (“BOM_Vorlage_2003.xls” and “BOM_Vorlage_2007.xlsx”) and in English (“BOM_Vorlage_2003_ENG.xls” and “BOM_Vorlage_2007_ENG.xlsx”).

The BOM must include all components, even those that are not to be placed.
Please use the column “Place Yes/No”.

If we are to order the components for you, we need more information about the distributor, as well as a corresponding order number. Please ensure that the components are available in a machine-compatible packaging.

2. Pick&Place file
Export this file from your layout file. In addition to the component names, component values and packaging, this also includes information on the mounting positions such as x-, y-coordinates, rotation angles and which side of the PCB is to be assembled. A demo file can be found in the Download as “Gerber_Pick&Place.txt”.

The individual columns in the file are separated with “TAB”. If relevant information has not been completely exported, you must add this later.

Apart from the components, at least two reference marks with corresponding x and y coordinates must also be listed.
Please note that these points are clearly marked in the component placement plan.
To obtain a reference point for the coordinates of the components, information must be given to the orientation of the PCB.

3. Component placement plan
Therefore, the components, component names and outer contours of the PCB should be clearly visible in the component placement plan. This is also needed for the final visual inspection.

Also, the orientation of poled components (such as diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, connectors, etc.) must be identified here, as well as the reference marks specified in the Pick & Place file.

4. Stencil

So that we can produce an SMD stencil for applying the solder paste, we need the paste data for the PCB. Please include this information with the rest of the production data.

nstructions on how to create the BOM and component placement plan for ODB++

In addition to the Gerber data supplied for PCB manufacture, we need extra information to complete the PCB assembly process. You can download the file “ODB_e.zip” for this purpose and review all details which are required.

1. Bill of materials (BOM)
A template showing how the desired parts list should appear can be found in German in this download (“BOM_Vorlage_2003.xls” and “BOM_Vorlage_2007.xlsx”) and in English (“BOM_Vorlage_2003_ENG.xls” and “BOM_Vorlage_2007_ENG.xlsx”).

The BOM must include all components, even those that are not to be placed.
Please use the column “Place Yes/No”.

If we are to order the components for you, we need more information about the distributor, as well as a corresponding order number. Please ensure that the components are available in a machine-compatible packaging.

2. Pick&Place file
Export this file from your layout file. In addition to the component names, component values and packaging, this also includes information on the mounting positions such as x-, y-coordinates, rotation angles and which side of the PCB is to be assembled. A demo file can be found in the Download as “ODB++_Pick&Place.txt”.

The individual columns in the file are separated with “TAB”. If relevant information has not been completely exported, you must add this later.

Apart from the components, at least two reference marks with corresponding x and y coordinates must also be listed.
Please note that these points are clearly marked in the component placement plan.
To obtain a reference point for the coordinates of the components, information must be given to the orientation of the PCB.

3. Component placement plan
Therefore, the components, component names and outer contours of the PCB should be clearly visible in the component placement plan. This is also needed for the final visual inspection.

Also, the orientation of poled components (such as diodes, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, connectors, etc.) must be identified here, as well as the reference marks specified in the Pick & Place file.

4. Stencil

So that we can produce an SMD stencil for applying the solder paste, we need the paste data for the PCB. Please include this information with the rest of the production data.

Assembly lead time explained

PCB assembly begins once we have received all the necessary components and PCBs required for your order. When selecting and ordering your components please check current availability and delivery times.

Sum of the components = Sum of the SMD and THT components x number of PCBs to be placed with components.

The following options are possible when you place your order:

Order with ≤ 300 components Please note: With 2 WD, 10 PCBs (max qty) and 300 components (SMD and THT, max qty) at the most can be ordered. 25 THT (max per order – not per PCB)	2 WD
Order with ≤ 499 components	12 WD standard 8 WD 4 WD
Order with 500 - 999 components	14 WD Standard 10 WD 8 WD
Order with ≥ 1000 components	16 WD Standard, no expedited service possible.

Status: January 2019

The lead-time required for PCB assembly is also added to the production time of the PCB. Therefore, please order your components that are required for the assembly in good time.

Our general specifications can also be found at the following link:
https://uk.beta-layout.com/pcb/technology/specifications/

Terms and Definitions - for your information

ESD - Electrostatic Discharge
SMD - Surface Mount Device
SMT - Surface Mount Technology
THT - Through Hole Technology
THR - Through Hole Reflow
BOM - Bill of Material
P&P - Pick & Place-Tabelle
AOI - Automatic Optical Inspection

Comparison of the metric system and the imperial system
In the metric system, the basis is the meter, in the imperial system the inch. mil stands
for milli-inches or 1/1000 inch; this corresponds to 0.0254 mm.

Comparison of metric and imperial as a basis for measuring PCBs