PCB Design

hanward · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: China

We are a PCB manufacturer.Some times need PCB design and modify soltware.It is very expensive in China.Is there any body no where I can download free software?
Thanks
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PCB manufacturer,1-12 layer Fr-4 PCB,1-2 layer aluminium and flexible PCB.www.szckt.cn [email protected]

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

Some manufacturer....needs FREE software

torbjorn · Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Posts: 370 Location: Sweden

I don't think there is any free PCB design software that fulfills the needs of a serious PCB manufacturer. However, i don't say that all expensive, commercial software is much better than the freeware/shareware alternatives.

I think you should go for PADS , maybe not the best software from all aspects but it is widely used at chinese universities so most young chinese design engineers know how to use it.

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject:

Yes there are free PCB software, Labcenter is one excellent design amongst others... the problem with 'free' software is the number of pins available - that is connections, I think its around 200 with Labcenter and from memory I think other brands are not all that different a Google for PCB software will bring results.

As you can expect you get what you pay for the free ones being very basic operation and usually having no auto component placing, rats nesting and auto route etc, they do cater for SMD devices though.

Dave