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1.
What is PCB scanning?
2. Is PCB scanning a viable alternative
to redesigning the entire PCB?
3. What differentiates LSP among
the other so-called “scanning” service
bureaus?
4. What is the difference between
full redigitization and cleanup methods?
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| PCB
Scanning is the process in which printed circuit
board (PCB) artwork is scanned in using a high resolution
scanner. The scanner software then converts the
raster data into vector format. Once this is done,
the vector data may be converted to an industry
standard format (Gerber data). However, just because
we now have Gerber data for the artwork does not
mean that the Gerber data is manufacturable. It
must be extensively edited to meet the stringent
requirements set forth by the PCB manufacturing
industry, and even then, the data may not be usable
because the file sizes are too large to be laser
photoplotted during the manufacturing process. |
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| Although
LSP Corporation is able to redesign or even reverse
engineer any bare board, artwork, paper, mylars,
or schematics, this is often time consuming since
the typical turnaround for PCB design is 2 weeks.
Moreover, PCB design tends to be rather expensive
given that more expensive CAD systems must be utilized
to complete the designs. On the other hand, the
cost for PCB scanning is normally only a fraction
of the cost for PCB design. In addition, the normal
turnaround time is 3 days as opposed to 2 weeks. |
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| As
the largest PCB Engineering Service Bureau in California,
LSP is dedicated to meeting the quality requirements
expected by the PCB industry. Unlike other service
bureaus which typically use a “cleanup”
method, whereby the scanned data is merely aligned
and edited, LSP actually redigitizes or rebuilds
your artwork layer using the scanned data as just
a template. Because the data LSP creates is on a
new layer, the data looks as if it was actually
redesigned from a CAD station. The data does not
look messy or dirty and you would receive Gerber
data that has flashed pads and single line connections,
which is drastically different from drawn pads and
unclean lines that are typical of cleanup. Furthermore,
the file sizes received from LSP are only a fraction
of the file sizes received from service bureaus
who merely cleaned up the scanned data. More important,
LSP is the only service bureau in the world that
offers 100% perfect layer to layer registration,
100% perfect CAD quality data, loyalty to the original
design, and 100% satisfaction or your money back
guarantee! |
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| Full
redigitization requires that the scanned data be
used only as a template where a brand new padmaster
is created on a new layer and the circuitry is actually
traced on that new padmaster layer. This ensures
that the file sizes are small, all pads are flashed,
and circuit lines are clean and are in single line
format as opposed to scanned data that is merely
cleaned up. Thank you for giving us this opportunity
to explain the process of scanning. If you require
further clarification, please do not hesitate to
call us. We would be more than happy to accommodate
your needs. |
| If you have any further
questions or special needs, please feel free to
contact LSP and speak to one of our many experienced
engineers. |
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