The PCB Documentation

We have a standard documentation package, which is supplied with all our design work. The documentation is delivered online, through a password protected webserver. The package is quite complete at a technical level, and contains all the information required to manufacture, modify or further develop the product. The package is detailed below, and you can see actual examples by selecting the links. If you wish to see other examples of the documentation, please look in our circuit collection.

The example technical documentation package is a simple automotive equipment controller.

The thing we would like to stress is that the documentation is online from the very beginning of the project, as you pay the deposit for the work. That way you (the client) get to see the circuit and PCB as it is being designed and developed, in real time - and we are better able to show changes and refinements to your work. It helps keep to communicate more effectively, - and as far as we know, we are the only PCB design company who offers this service.

The standard PCB webpage that will be set up to document your job contains:

Entry page

Selects between the various jobs completed for each client

Intro and branding

We write a brief description of your project and brand it to your company. We attach a project status, PCB tracking number, and version date for your work.

Schematic

(One or more pages) See an example circuit diagram.

Bill of material

The parts list. See an example parts list.

PCB overlay

A diagram showing the positioning and identification of the PCB components. See an example component overlay.

PCB Dimensions

The dimensions of the PCB are stated in both metric and inches (with corner holes dimensions in metric, if applicable). We also give you the HxW total which can be useful to work out your PCB laminate production costs.

Gerber Files

We provide a zipped up set of gerber files so that you can manufacture the board - but this link only becomes active after you have paid us for the work.

Final board

If you have had us prototype the PCB, we will include a photo of the final board.

Latest Firmware

Depending on your requirements, we provide the latest target firmware for download.

Printable Documentation Package

A PDF file containing the circuit and PCB overlay. This is basically All you get from our competition - they email you a PDF of the circuit and PCB after they have finished the job. We provide it so that you can easily print out our work - and so that you have something to email your clients when we have finished your job!

Appendices

Depending on the job, small diagrams may be attached to the main webpage showing auxillary connectors, and so forth, so that the webpage can be a one-stop location to document the PCB.

Our online PCB documentation package has helped a lot of people. It makes the design work easily accessible - no special software is needed. Clients can follow our work more or less in realtime, which keeps them more in touch with their projects. We are better able to communicate changes and rectifications to clients. Clients are better able to manage the work they subcontract to us - and our clients to better communicate PCB design details to their clients. The PCB webpages are also particularly good for people working at odd hours or in different timezones - all the information is available whenever they need it. Most of our clients choose to password protect their PCB design information, so that only they can access the pages. We charge a small subscription fee to maintain the password protected PCB web service: $2.50 per month per PCB design, payable annually.

Naeser's Law: You can make it foolproof, but you can't make it damnfoolproof.

Design overview Examples: Circuit library PCB Assembly