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Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:42:10 -0700
From: Joe Knapp <joeknapp AT keensupport DOT net>
Organization: Keen Support Services, LLC
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To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: [geda-user] soldermask and edge connectors
References: <1332124007 DOT 10525 DOT 0 AT kwak> <alpine DOT DEB DOT 2 DOT 00 DOT 1203182229570 DOT 23342 AT zaphod DOT 661 DOT org>
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On 03/18/2012 10:33 PM, David Griffith wrote:
> On Mon, 19 Mar 2012, Kai-Martin wrote:
>
>> On 03/19/2012 02:32:12 AM, David Griffith wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm trying to make an edge connector footprint.  First, I want to
>>> make sure that the soldermask is clear of the fingers except at the
>>> root where traces connect.
>>
>> Do the connector footprint with two pads per finger. Reduce mask size
>> of one pad to zero vie the command line interface.
>
> I tried this and the result was soldermask going everywhere but the
> finger.  I want the entire area where the fingers are clear of
> soldermask. I can do that by increasing the mask clearance, but I get
> scalloped edges.
>
>>> Second, how do I make it clear to the fabber that I want the fingers
>>> plated?
>>
>> Tell him ;-)
>> I'd draw a polygon of the area to be plated plus the outline of the
>> board and explaining notes in clear text on a separate layer. Add this
>> layer to the set of gerbers sent to the fabber. In addition, attach a
>> README file to the zipped gerbers to tell the fabber what you want.
>
> So, one of the unused layers (like Signal1) can be used for this?  I
> just need to make it clear to anyone reading that it's for gold
> instead, right?
>
Typically, this sort of thing is called out on the FAB drawing. The FAB
drawing is usually provided to the Fabrication House as a Gerber and as
a PDF. It should include things like stack-up, overall board dimensions,
board thickness, platings, impedance requirements and trace widths,
number of layers, quality requirements, your contact information, etc.

You can do a search for "gEDA Fab drawing" to see what others have done
in the past.