Wouter van Ooijen wrote:
> So far when dealing with Olimex I just send them the .brd file

Yes, I could make a set of files that are compatible with Olimex's
requirements.  The point is, I shouldn't have to and won't.  I'm a bit
uncomfortable sending out my Eagle BRD files.  I guess it feels a little
like giving out source code, but I know it's not the same thing.  There is
an industry wide standard called Gerber files and Execellon drill files.
Every single other board house in the world I've ever dealt with (and I've
dealt with a few) was able to take the standard package of Gerber and
Excellon files in a ZIP file.  This is what I produce out of Eagle, partly
using automated scripts.  I shouldn't have to go out of my way to do
something different for one uppity board house that doesn't get it.

> and
> they make the PCB with the holes as specified (IIRC they interpret
> hole size as drill size, which can be a PITA for very small holes).
> Am I missing anything?

No, that seems to sum it up.  I shouldn't have to know about the board
house's process to specify holes.  It makes sense for me to specify the
finished hole size, and for the board house to compensate accordingly
knowing its own process.

It's completely beyond me why Olimex can't take the same information
everyone else does and produce boards from it.  All they have to do is run a
program that multiplies by 25.4 to convert to mm, add on 2x whatever plating
thickness they use, then pick the nearest size drill.  This process should
yield a finished hole according to the original specification within some
tolerance that they could publish, just like a real board house.  Not only
do they not do this, but when you send them a package that doesn't adhere to
their unusual standards, they are very uppity about it and treat you like an
idiot for not checking their web site before wasting their time.  No thanks.


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