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Bitu , 01-11-2025, 05:42 AM

Hello,
I have a question regarding the Gerber files we send to the manufacturer. Could you please confirm which files are essential to ensure smooth PCB manufacturing without issues?

Additionally, I noticed two files in the Gerber output:

1. ASCII FILE (.TXT/ROUND HOLES.TXT)
2. ASCII FILE (SLOT HOLES.TXT)

Could you clarify their significance and whether they are mandatory for the manufacturing process?

Looking forward to your guidance.

QDrives , 01-11-2025, 05:11 PM

"...essential to ensure smooth PCB manufacturing without issues?" -- To begin with, Gerber alone is not enough.
It is better to use Gerber X2 than X1.
Round holes? I assume PTH or NPTH? I do not recall seeing "round holes.txt", but I might be mistaken.
Slot holes.txt again, I do not recall, but would only be "essential" **if** you have slots.
If you want an example for production data, check the attached project.

Bitu , 01-11-2025, 06:43 PM

Thank you for the detailed explanation. I am not familiar with the differences between Gerber X1 and X2. Could you please help me understand them?

I would also like to know why X2 is considered better for manufacturing and if there are any situations where X1 might be a better choice. Your insights would be very helpful. Thank you

QDrives , 01-11-2025, 07:45 PM

There is not much difference between X1 and X2. One thing for sure, X1 is **never** a better choice.
With X2, in Altium, the drill data is included whereas with X1 it is separate. File names are a little different too.
However, none of the Gerber formats have stack-up data or other comments.

Robert Feranec , 01-12-2025, 12:50 PM

you can use a gerber viewer to see what is inside of the files. e.g. I use ViewMate, they have free version. This will help you to understand if they will need it. Possibly if you are not sure you can send all the files, that is also ok. In this specific case, I would just send the files.

Bitu , 01-12-2025, 05:17 PM

Thank you @Robert Feranec and @QDrives for the suggestion, I'll do that!