Board layout cut outs

[jimmiethek]

I have a requirement of having a square cut out in the middle of my board. I cannot figure out how to accomplish this. I will greatly appreciate any help you can give me on getting this done.

Thanks, Jim

[bobc]

You need to check with your board manufacturer how they want cut outs specified.

However, a common way is to mark the cut out on the Edge Cuts layer.

[Efcis]

Like this

[jimmiethek]

So it’s as easy as drawing a square on the edge cut layer?

[Efcis]

From the pcbnew point of view, it’s that easy, as you say. But as @bobc pointed out, you must ensure the manufacturer will all accept it this way and/or if there are limitations (minimum width, etc.).

[Rerouter]

Most manufacturers would likely appreciate it if at a basic level you put the text “Internal Cut Out” in the middle of that edge cut square, but yeah, send them an email for best results.

[jimmiethek]

Thanks much for your help! I am a novice at this and was expecting to see some indication of a cut out in the 3D viewer or the gerber files. I will converse with the board vender to best understand their requirements. Thanks again!

[davidsrsb]

Gerber describes photoplotter output. A cut out is routed out, there are limitations on size and corner radius that are manufacturer dependent. Cut outs are often an extra cost

[Jan-Ake_Larsson]

The 3D viewer in pcbnew will show cutouts (with sharp corners).

[jimmiethek]

I must be doing something wrong, I don’t see the cut out in the 3D viewer.

[Jan-Ake_Larsson]

I just checked, my panelizing cutouts still work in the present version.

Make sure the lines intersect exactly at the corners.

[John_Pateman]

It is often easier to use a coarse grid to ensure that your edge cuts precisely intersect. If you check the line properties (press e over the lines) you can make sure that the coordinates are coincident. If they don’t intersect exactly you wil get an error in the 3d viewer.

[jimmiethek]

I have checked my edge cut lines and they all intersect properly but I am getting an error when running the 3D viewer. It is “Unable to find segment with endpoint (143.123mm, 121.343mm)”. It does render the board correctly (other than the cut out) correctly.

[jimmiethek]

Thanks to everyone. I realized I should run the design rules checker and found an error in the edge cut lines. The 3D viewer is now rendering properly. Thanks!!