Creating a fabrication drawing in Altium is primarily done using the Draftsman tool. This tool allows you to generate professional-looking fabrication drawings directly from your PCB design data. Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Create a New Draftsman Document
- Start a new Draftsman Document: Go to
File > New > Draftsman Document. This will open a dialog box prompting you to select a template.
2. Select a Draftsman Document Template
- Choose a Template: Select a suitable template. Altium provides default templates, or you can create your own custom templates to match your company's standards. Consider factors like paper size (A4, A3, etc.) and the information included (title block, notes, etc.).
- Custom Templates: Using custom templates allows you to predefine views, tables, and notes for consistent documentation.
3. Configure the Draftsman Document
- Initial Setup: After creating the document from the template, you'll need to configure it. This includes linking the Draftsman document to your specific PCB project.
- Associate to PCB: The Draftsman document needs to know which PCB project it's documenting. You typically do this through the Properties panel when the Draftsman document is active.
4. Place Views
- Add PCB Views: Use the Draftsman tools to place various views of your PCB. Common views include:
- Board Assembly View: Shows the assembled PCB.
- Fabrication View: Displays individual PCB layers for manufacturing. This is critical for fabrication drawings.
- Drill Drawing View: Highlights drill hole locations and sizes.
- Board Detail View: Zooms in on specific areas for clarity.
- Layer Selection: For Fabrication Views, you'll select specific layers (e.g., Top Layer, Bottom Layer, Silkscreen, Solder Mask) that need to be documented.
- Adjust Scale and Position: Configure the scale and position of each view using the Properties panel. Ensure the drawing is clear and easy to read.
5. Add Dimensions and Annotations
- Critical Dimensions: Include all necessary dimensions for fabrication. This often includes board dimensions, hole sizes and locations, component placement, and critical trace widths/spaces.
- Annotations: Use annotations to add notes, tolerances, and other important information for the manufacturer.
- Dimensioning Tools: Draftsman provides various dimensioning tools for linear, radial, angular, and ordinate dimensions.
6. Add Tables and Notes
- Drill Table: Automatically generate a drill table that lists each drill size, its symbol, and quantity.
- Layer Stack Table: Include a layer stack table to show the layer order and material properties.
- General Notes: Add general notes regarding manufacturing requirements, materials, and tolerances. These are often placed within the title block or in a dedicated notes section.
7. Configure and Customize
- Properties Panel: The Properties panel is your primary tool for configuring views, dimensions, tables, and annotations.
- Customization: Customize the appearance of your drawings to match your company's standards. This includes line weights, colors, fonts, and symbols.
8. Output the Drawing
- Generate Output: Once the fabrication drawing is complete, you can output it in various formats, such as PDF, Gerber, or ODB++.
- Final Review: Always review the fabrication drawing carefully before sending it to the manufacturer to ensure accuracy and completeness.
In summary, create a fabrication drawing in Altium Designer by utilizing the Draftsman tool, starting with a template, placing PCB views, dimensioning, annotating, adding tables and notes, customizing, and then outputting the final drawing. This ensures that the manufacturer receives the necessary information to accurately fabricate your PCB.
