DRC: Connection closed by remote server and other problems

Archive BatchPCB
1

Hello,

I’m trying to submit a design for processing. I wanted to test things out with the Online DRC, just to see if my project passed.

At first, I used my Opera browser, it seems I was hitting some kind of timeout when I submit my gerber zip files.

I specifed the PCB / Design Name and zip file. Then got to the page where it asks me to identify the following file names in my project. After that page, and about 1 minute later, I hit some kind of “Connecton closed by remote server”.

So, I tried FireFox, and it seems like the “connection closed” problem went away. I didn’t get any DRC errors, and this time around, I was able to get to Step 2, where I’m able to select the drill file format. Only now…

X Max: -100000 X Min: 100000

Y Max: -100000 Y Min: 100000

PCB Size: 40000000000 inches square

Estimated price per board: $25000

!!!HAHA, my board isn’t that big!!! It’s a 4in X 5in board, but rather dense and complex. Back in step 1, where we select the drill file and layers, I didn’t specify any keep out layer, because I don’t have one (I’m using OrCAD). Could this be the problem? If so, how do I create a keepout layer in OrCAD? I have my board clearly outlined on the SST layer. If anyone can give me pointers, it would really help! It would be nice to solve this problem before I type in my credit card :!:

-Brian

PS. Just thinking about the size of that $25,000 board. Can BatchPCB really make a 3mile X 3mile board? Just kiddin’ hehe. Kinda neat to think about though :wink:

2

You don’t need a keep out layer. What is the SST layer? You may need to mark the board on more layers… (like top AND bottom silk screen). I’ve been using FreePCB, and it works great. I believe it marks the board edge on all layers generated.

I know this sounds evil, but have you given any thought about trying internet explorer 6.?? ? Although it sounds like firefox is working.

3

I’ve only ever used Firefox and Konqueror with batchpcb and both of them seem to work fine. I haven’t noticed batchpcb doing any fancy stuff that would be less browser-portable (but I haven’t looked for it).

Re the giant board size … how about the drill file? could it have the wrong location of the decimal point or something?

4

Originally, I failed DRC because it complained that one of my apertures was too small. I found the aperture/component draw that was failing the DRC in version 1 of my board, and fixed it weeks later and now I’m at version 1.1.

I submitted version 1.1 in Opera and IE and both get “The page cannot be displayed” or “Connection closed by remote server.”

The only browser that works, and that gets me to step 2 is FireFox.

I vaguely remember the DRC displaying the size of my board when I submitted version 1 when it complained about my aperture being too thin. So, since I had my version 1 zip file still around, I uploaded version 1 with the 0.002 aperture, and it passed DRC!!! I can get to step 2 with both versions of my board!!! Still, both versions of the board generate an estimated price of $25,000 buck-a-roos. :frowning:

Wiml:

My thruhole.tap drill file looks like the following:

%
T1C0.0200F200S100
X001600Y032300
X002000Y013900
X002200Y031800
X002800Y027300
X002900Y030200
X003000Y037300
X003600Y024700
X004000Y015100
X004000Y016800
X004500Y013000
X005200Y028300
X005300Y027700
X005400Y011900
X005700Y027200
X005700Y028700
X006200Y029100
X006200Y029700
X006200Y030300
X006200Y030900

and continues for quite a long ways. It does seem a tad bit different than what Eagle PCB outputs, but I suspect that’s what step 2 is for, when we select what CAD tool we used to generate the drill file.

I went ahead and proceeded with step 2, selected OrCAD and successfully got to step 3. However, I get a warning on step 3 that reads:

Zip File Submission (Step 3 of 3)

Warning: unlink(/home/.sites/133/site55/zips/1149276876/) [function.unlink]: Is a directory in /home/.sites/133/site55/web/zipsender.php on line 144


PCB Size: 10000 square inches
Estimated Price per Board: $25000

Your submission has been successful. You will recieve an email in the next 30 mintues with the results of the DRC check. This email will also contain the link you need to follow to purchase the PCB(s).

So, I’ll wait for an email and hope for some DRC output this time.

Kuroi Kenjin:

The SST layer in OrCAD is the silkscreen top layer. I have my board outline on the top silkscreen layer. I’ll also try to mark the bottom silkscreen too and see if that works. I could have used another CAD tool like FreePCB, but I needed some import/export DXF ability for 3d viewing/modeling of the PCB. I really want to avoid re-laying out the entire design in a new CAD tool, because it took a few months in OrCAD to layout.

PS. By the way, my spelling isn’t great either, but the spelling of “receive” and “minutes” is wrong in the message displayed in step 3 on BatchPCB. I don’t want to be picky, just letting the admins know :wink: