Re: gEDA-user: pick and place ?plugin?footprints.c? for

["Lil Brother LLC" <lil_brother_llc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:44:20 -0800
From: Steve Meier <smeier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: gEDA-user: pick and place ?plugin?footprints.c?  for
gerbv
To: gEDA user mailing list <geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <47C1C914.5070200@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I am a little confused here. Are we discussing taking a gerber file and
using it to generate the component location/rotations for a pick and
place machine?

If we are wouldn't it be a lot easier to use the pcb file to generate
the file?

Steve Meier

Steve,

This seems to be a simple problem, but trust me when I say it is not. The 
root of the problem is CAD libraries. Many people input foot prints into 
libraries, and do not realize they MUST be on center. If they are not, the 
centroid data from the CAD is wrong. Also, some libraries are drawn on 
origin (pin 1) and not on centroid.  Taking a file, inputting it, then 
fixing it is just as time consuming as hand teaching.   Programs like Eagle 
and such have so many user drawn libraries, the Centroid data is all but 
worthless.

I'm sure even people here have drawn parts into the library off center. It 
would take an enormous effort to go back and change the libraries. Most 
people are not going to, so I'm left with the accurate data I get, which 
will be the Gerber, however dumb it is.  I have thought of offering a 
discount for anyone who supplies accurate Centroid data, but for the ones 
who do not know......the argument will begin. They will have a part someone 
else drew....and want the discount, because their parts were drawn 
correctly. It is just time consuming to separate the good from the bad.

The only good thing about doing it as above, once I get a good file from a 
person, I can pretty much bet, the rest will be correct.

It is something to think about.....maybe a little incentive for that. But 
there are still programs which do not output centroid data, believe it or 
not. Unfortunately....there are also people using those.

James Long
Owner/Designer
Lil Brother LLC (Instrument Division) 




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