How to make panel in Allegro?

[pcbdesigner]

Hi.
I'm trying to make panel in Allegro. (Using Import Artwork). Everything is OK but drill information. How can I make drill file for my panel if I have two or more files for single boards? Is there any way to do it in Allegro?
I've tried to make panel by Importing subdrawing. But it's too much work to do and it works not so perfect (some pads or traces might disappered).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Vik

[cadpro2k]

Hi Vik,

Done a few panels, and it seems my most tasking effort was spent on doing something that was not at all necessary. Do you need to do the panel as you are suggesting? My easiest way was to define a "panel drawing" much like the fabrication drawing, but simply defining the panel, how many boards on the panel, and what "cut-outs/mouse bites/tabs" were required. I used a program called "Quik-Fit" to determine the boards per panel, contacted my fab/assy shops to determine what might be required, and defined the panel drawing accordingly. Easy? Yes. Is that what you're after? I hope so. If not, you're right, doing multiple boards (panel layout) in Allegro is ever-tasking...

Good day.

Mitch

[RLS]

Hi,
Quik-Fit sounds interesting... Where can it be obtained? Which cad packages does it support or does it accept gerber input?

As far as panelization...I let the fab shop do it and return panelized gerbers for solder paste stencil. If stack up is identical, they have even combined several small boards designs into one panel and processed as one (reduces NRE charges). Some times I send an ACAD panelization dwg to show fab shop what we have in mind.

RLS

[cadpro2k]

Hi RLS,

Go to : http://www.micromeg.com and get the free download. Used it quite a few times with some good results.

Mitch

[pcbdesigner]

Hi.
It is true. You can give to fab house a "panel drawing" much like the fabrication drawing, but simply defining the panel, how many boards on the panel, and what "cut-outs/mouse bites/tabs"
But they will charge you for 500$ for panelizing. It is OK for big quantity, but too expensive for prototyping.
Finally I found the way to combine drill data. I even wrote small program to do it automatically.
First – define zero for panel. Change datum for first board to have your board in left bottom (for example) corner of the panel (like you put it in panel). Change datum for second board to have room for first board and minimum gap between boards (like you put it in panel too). Then make artworks for each board and NC drill files too. Then import artworks into fresh file, add whatever you want and you almost done. After making artworks for whole panel – just run small program to combine your drill data. Or you can edit your drill data in any text editor.