Thank you for this information on Olimex - I didn't realize they had
"issues"
with dimensions.  I had been considering using them as an experiment, but
this suggests it would be time wasted.  I agree totally with Wouter - I have
dealt with many board houses and never had the kind of problems you are
describing.  There have been issues of misunderstood tolerance or
clearance limits, but nothing about simple metric conversions.

Ah well - -
Roy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Olin Lathrop" <olin_piclist@embedinc.com>
To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 5:23 PM
Subject: Re: [EE] question for anyone on CADsoft EAGLE 4.11


> 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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