As a rule, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are produced on the basis of data compiled by designers in CAD programs and sent to the PCB manufacturer in the Gerber file format. Quite often the designer lacks sufficient information, experience or education, and the design data is contradictory, ignores minimal production requirements or is simply incorrect.

Such files force the manufacturer to face a dilemma: what to do? If one adheres to the principle of client convenience, as in the case of most mediators, the logical step would be for the manufacturer to correct and adapt the data in order to enable production while jeopardizing the idea behind the designed project.

The manufacturer can never be 100% certain as to what one or the other designer has specifically had in mind concerning his or her creation (e.g. should the drill hole have a metal lining or not, etc.).

The other option is to inform the client of discovered contradictions and to cooperate on the necessary changes. This approach might initially seem inconvenient to the client. One must delve deeply into the design, waste time on checking data, etc.

This can also easily lead to the client’s prejudiced opinion of the manufacturer: This company keeps asking questions, it’s like it does not know how to make PCBs?!?

Such an attitude is very premature and does not consider the profit gained from the interaction between the client and the manufacturer:

1. Directing attention to the flaws in the design will reduce such errors in the future, due to the client’s participation in the constant learning process;

2. The manufacturer will not change files arbitrarily, thereby preventing the loss of the required solution in the design;

3. The risk of supplying a non-functioning PCB is drastically reduced;

4. Costs for re-doing the faulty design will be reduced for the client.

Common wisdom can only lead to one conclusion – the interaction between the manufacturer and the client, along with the presentation of design-related questions, is crucial and should be the behavioural norm for any self-respecting PCB manufacturer.