Aubrey McIntosh, Ph.D. wrote:
> Olin:  When you spec a hole as "unplated" in the PCB layout program,
> how does that information get passed to the PCB maker (given just
> Gerber and Excellon files)?

I don't spec it as plated or unplated.  I think the PC house is assuming it
might want to be unplated if there is no copper running to it.

> I looked at the latest prototype I got from Olimex last week, and the
> mechanical holes there are plated through, just like the others.  Nice
> metal collet lining the hole.

That's what everyone else seems to be doing too.  I don't know why these
guys are being so silly about the whole thing.

> What are some times this would be a problem?

It hasn't been a problem in any project I've ever done.

The only contrived case I can think of is where the thickness of the PC
board is being used as insulation spacing for a part of the board.  Maybe
two pieces of metal held together with nylon screws with the PCB in between.
In that case the plated hole would defeat the insulation.

Most everyone else seems to plate all holes without making a fuss about it.
I don't understand why PCB Fab Express can't just do the same, especially
when I explicitly checked the button to indicate I didn't want to pay extra
for unplated holes.


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