Duplicating my *.brd design in the same layout area

On 06/20/2011 12:50 AM, AL wrote:

...

Basically, I would to make use of the 5cm X 5cm board to have two of my

2cm X 2cm design in it.  The PCB manufacturer won't do it.

 

So, my only chance is put TWO of my design side by side in the same

layout, that is, same *.brd file.  How would I duplicate the same design

with in the same layout?

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but here's how I do it.

Once I have the board layout for one board correct, I save everything,

then close the schematic.  I then draw a .010" copper trace on the top

side around the perimeter of the board.

With all layers turned on, I group the entire board, tag it at the

origin, then paste copies of it in an array, leaving about .100" spacing

between each copy in both the X and the Y directions.  To meet the 5cm x

5cm minimum size, you can produce a 2x2 array with the copies positioned

so that these size requirements are met.

Important: Save the board as xxx-Array.brd, so you don't overwrite

your original design.

The .100" is wide enough to allow a band saw to cut the individual

boards out of the array.  I also use a belt sander to sand the board

down to its original size, using the 10mil trace around each board as a

guide.

Enjoy,

    - Chuck

On 6/20/11 6:40 AM, Chuck Huber wrote:

On 06/20/2011 12:50 AM, AL wrote:

...

>> Basically, I would to make use of the 5cm X 5cm board to have two of my

>> 2cm X 2cm design in it.  The PCB manufacturer won't do it.

>>

>> So, my only chance is put TWO of my design side by side in the same

>> layout, that is, same *.brd file.  How would I duplicate the same design

>> with in the same layout?

 

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but here's how I do it.

 

Once I have the board layout for one board correct, I save everything,

then close the schematic.  I then draw a .010" copper trace on the top

side around the perimeter of the board.

 

With all layers turned on, I group the entire board, tag it at the

origin, then paste copies of it in an array, leaving about .100" spacing

between each copy in both the X and the Y directions.  To meet the 5cm x

5cm minimum size, you can produce a 2x2 array with the copies positioned

so that these size requirements are met.

 

Important: Save the board as xxx-Array.brd, so you don't overwrite

your original design.

 

The .100" is wide enough to allow a band saw to cut the individual

boards out of the array.  I also use a belt sander to sand the board

down to its original size, using the 10mil trace around each board as a

guide.

 

Enjoy,

     - Chuck

Thank you very much for your help!  Thanks to Jacob's suggestion as

well, but duplicating pieces in the schematic is very problematic,

because all parts are named incrementally, thus, causing board to have

different part names.  I am giving Chuck's suggestion a go.

On 6/20/11 6:40 AM, Chuck Huber wrote:

On 06/20/2011 12:50 AM, AL wrote:

...

>> Basically, I would to make use of the 5cm X 5cm board to have two of my

>> 2cm X 2cm design in it.  The PCB manufacturer won't do it.

>>

>> So, my only chance is put TWO of my design side by side in the same

>> layout, that is, same *.brd file.  How would I duplicate the same design

>> with in the same layout?

 

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but here's how I do it.

 

Once I have the board layout for one board correct, I save everything,

then close the schematic.  I then draw a .010" copper trace on the top

side around the perimeter of the board.

 

With all layers turned on, I group the entire board, tag it at the

origin, then paste copies of it in an array, leaving about .100" spacing

between each copy in both the X and the Y directions.  To meet the 5cm x

5cm minimum size, you can produce a 2x2 array with the copies positioned

so that these size requirements are met.

 

Important: Save the board as xxx-Array.brd, so you don't overwrite

your original design.

 

The .100" is wide enough to allow a band saw to cut the individual

boards out of the array.  I also use a belt sander to sand the board

down to its original size, using the 10mil trace around each board as a

guide.

 

Enjoy,

     - Chuck

Thank you very much for your help!  Thanks to Jacob's suggestion as

well, but duplicating pieces in the schematic is very problematic,

because all parts are named incrementally, thus, causing board to have

different part names.  I am giving Chuck's suggestion a go.