The question I have is what happens when I do not specify a solder mask or silk screen file for one side of a circuit board even though I have included a copper layer file? Does the board get made without soldermask on the side without a solder mask file, or does the side without the solder mask file get completely covered?
bob_thak:
The question I have is what happens when I do not specify a solder mask or silk screen file for one side of a circuit board even though I have included a copper layer file? Does the board get made without soldermask on the side without a solder mask file, or does the side without the solder mask file get completely covered?
Sorry for the “no-brainer” answer, but if you don’t ask for something, then you don’t get it.
A board shop are not going to create work for themselves or the expense for you, if you have not specified a silkscreen or a mask.
If you are creating a single sided board then you only need a mask on the one tracked side.
If it is tracked on both sides then either provide a Gerber mask file for both sides or supply the one file and ask it to be applied to both sides.
Some board shops will use the same “screen” for both sides of small batches or two “screens” for larger quantities for speed of production, where they don’t have to clean the one “screen” between uses.
Make your instructions clear. Provide a plain text “specification” file that details what the board is (SS/DS/PTH/MTL/SMT) and what files you are providing in what format.
Hope this helps.