Gerber viewer is a tool that allows PCB designers and engineers to view Gerber files, which are the standard format for PCB designs. These files contain all the basic data needed to produce a printed-circuit board − layers, copper, drill holes, solder masks, and silkscreens. The gerber viewer can load these files and analyze them, so you can check that all layers are moving correctly, the design will not spend a day in manufacturing.
Developed by Gerber Systems in the 1980s, the Gerber format gained popularity in the industry for its ability to communicate complex design information in a standard format. The gerber viewer renders each layer individualized or planar, and allows you to spot whether there are any misalignment, missing components, or problems that can cause expensive rework. This layer-by-layer scrutiny is extremely essential for high-density PCBs as even slight misalignments may alter the operations of the board.
A gerber viewer needs to zoom into a micro level to at least 800% so designers can look at traces and vias which can be 50 microns on advanced PCBs. This magnification ensures that all design elements are located correctly, which is of huge importance for complex, multi-layered boards used for reliable industrial applications like telecommunications or medical devices. Signal integrity: With high-frequency PCB, even a small misalignment can affect signal integrity; Gerber viewer helps engineers to identify issues beforehand and try to fix them.
A core function is to verify other features of PCB design such as the distances between components or layers, and this is also supported by most of the gerber viewers. As PCB Magazine points out, “The thoroughness of Gerber measurement and inspection tools has decreased production errors nearly 20% in some cases,” illustrating the importance of having these tools for PCB fabrication.
Convenience: Online gerber viewer tools like the gerber viewer provides the option to the designers to upload their files from any place hence allowing fast reviews and collaboration between the remote team members. Usually, these viewers support a number of Gerber formats including RS-274X and X2, covering a majority of design software packages.
Apart from visual inspection, DFM checks are also supported by gerber viewer to highlight design aspects that can inhibit production. If, say, the width of a trace is below the recommended level, the viewer can flag it, enabling the designer to fix it prior to fabrication, resulting in enhanced yield and lower production costs.