GERBER 274x file

[MBfreak]

Hi to all.
I dabble in electronics and have made my own PCB´s, using autocad drawings to make the mask for the UV-ing of photosensitive PCB blanks.
Results vary from great to scrap, and I am probably doing a bunch of things wrong in the UVing and etching.
There are companies making small batches PCB´s to a high standard, but all need input in the PCB industry standard format, gerber file.
Has anybody made Gerber files at home, and is there a free program to generate them?

Best regards

Ola

 

[Max]

Look at kicad, actively supported and free.

https://kicad-pcb.org/

- Max

 

[Dustball]

Sunstone has free software-
https://www.sunstone.com/pcb-resources/cad-tools/pcb123

You'll get the Gerber files after ordering boards through them or for a $100 fee.

 

[messar]

You can load a Kicad PCB file directly into OSHPark to have 2 or multilayer PCBs made.

I've done fairly dense 4 layer PCBs, as well as very fine pitch flex layouts (50um line/space) using Kicad. The learning curve is a bit steep though, as is with all EDA tools.
Matt

 

[MBfreak]

Thanks to all.
Way above my computer skills.
Will continue with my shadetree method, autocad UV mask and the etching.

Best regards

Ola

 

[Innovate1]

OSHPark is a great place to get circuit boards. I needed a very small adapter board for work and 10 of them were less than the postage to ship them to me.