My Background with Eagle PCB Layout...

I have been an active Eagle user for around fourteen years. I first started using Eagle with the early Windows releases and also served as a beta tester for many of the early Windows releases. Since this time I have created thousands of library components and packages. Some of my libraries and ULP's are available on the CadSoft web site. My complete custom libraries, scripts and ULP's are available on the downloads page for public use.

I have strong analog, RF and high current layout experience (analog, audio, power supplies, amplifiers, switchers, drivers, etc). I also have strong digital micro controller based projects using a variety of processors by Atmel, Motorola, Microchip, Cirrus and many others. Some of my clients produce thousands of boards per year in consumer type products such as fire, gas, vapor and alarm systems. Many of the products are UL approved and in automated production by the thousands.

Most of my clients are small companies or independent contract engineers that need fast professional layout services with attention to detail. I approach each design as an individual work of engineering art no matter how big or small. Some clients require special cost reduction techniques during layout to minimize assembly, production, fabrication and/or testing costs. In any case, I always work closely with clients and strive to achieve the best professional quality work possible.

In all of my designs careful grounding and power rail layout techniques are always observed. Good PCB layout requires a fundamental understanding of the electrical design itself as well any special associated considerations (resistive, capacitive, inductive, current loading, common mode, differential, etc). I can work closely with your hardware and mechanical engineers to achieve the best layout and performance possible for your design.

Copper Pours

A good PCB designer must fully understand the use of polygons and the art of flowing copper pours. Nearly all power supply, regulator, high current paths, high-speed digital and noise sensitive circuits require the use of copper pours. Polygons and flow control work great in Eagle but mastering them requires experience. Modem SMD packages commonly make use of copper pours for thermal dissipation. Experienced PCB designers understand the proper use of polygons, creation of isolation regions, ranking and other design rule parameters that control the addition, subtraction and isolation regions of polygons. Some examples of fluid flowing copper pours are shown to the right.

Silkscreen Art

Silkscreen legends and artwork require careful attention to achieve legible results. Typically most manufacturers require at least 7 mil lines to guarantee legible results. Unfortunately, the default Eagle libraries ship with all sorts of line width values. Sometimes upgrading to a newer release causes unexpected changes or makes modification difficult (when the symbol, device or library name has been renamed, changed or removed). Although there are methods to work around these issues, I decided to address the problem directly and modify all of the default libraries. For this reason I like to work closely with clients when creating, editing or modifying drawings and/or parts.

Custom Libraries

After the 4.0 release I decided to diverge and create my own complete set of customized libraries based on the default libraries. I created ULP scripts to modify all of the default library silkscreen widths and text sizes globally. Afterwards, I spent a great deal of time hand editing LOTS of parts. Additionally I have modified nearly all of the IC packages and pad styles to give consistent results and appearance. In the process of working with clients I have added hundreds of new components and created many new libraries for commonly used modern parts.

Client specific or customized parts and components are generally placed in a client/project specific libraries if desired. Typically many of my clients download a fresh copy of my working set libraries and work with these during new project development. Any component updates or new updates are easily updated by exchanging modified libraries as needed. I keep master online and offline backups of everything available on my server. I also have my own FTP server available for large file transfers if needed.

Fabrication and Mechanical Drawings

Fabrication drawings are provided in PDF format with each project as part of the PCB order package. The order package is a zipped archive that contains the final Gerber, Excellon Drill, Fabrication drawing and file documentation needed by the PCB manufacturer. This file contains all the information needed by a board house to quote the board and place the PCB order.

The fabrication drawing specifies all the mechanical and material requirements for board fabrication. The copper weight, board thickness, solder mask type, plating type, total number of layers, etc, etc as specified by the fabrication drawing.

Schematic Capture

I can accept Eagle schematics directly and/or create schematic captures from any printed or hand drawings you may have. Some clients create all of the schematics in Eagle and send for final routing. Others send me printed or hand drawings that I capture into Eagle. In most cases schematic changes and part updates are required during routing (changing gate orders, updating symbols, net changes, silkscreen width, legends, etc) so it is important to keep the files in sync with clients when making any changes. I typically send clients many periodic snapshots during the day as work progresses for review, feedback and approval.

Whatever your project or design needs, I will work with you to get your drawings completed and routed in a quick professional manner!