When it comes to the terms "perforated cover oil" and "perforated window"—often confused with "VIA" and "PAD"—many customers and design engineers are unsure of their meanings and which one to choose when designing a PCB. This confusion can lead to errors during manufacturing, causing delays or even defects in the final product. In this article, we'll explain the differences between these elements and why it's crucial to follow proper design standards. One common issue is that some designs are not standardized, making it hard to distinguish between a PAD and a VIA. Sometimes, a conductive hole is mistakenly treated as a PAD, while other times, a keyhole might be assigned a VIA attribute. These misclassifications can result in incorrect processing, leading to complaints from customers. For PCB manufacturers, dealing with such non-standard files requires extra effort, often involving engineers modifying the design to fit the manufacturing requirements. This practice not only increases costs but also encourages poor design habits on the customer’s side. Jeddah has emphasized that just because a previous job was handled correctly doesn't mean the current file is accurate. All engineers must pay close attention to design standards and specifications. We will now strictly require all CAM engineers to preserve the original customer data as much as possible, ensuring that any processing is done according to the design rules rather than personal experience. This approach helps identify issues early, giving design engineers valuable feedback to improve future work and reduce errors. This article focuses on conductive holes, keyholes, and how they relate to Protel, PADS, and Gerber files. One of the most common problems arises when designers mix up PADs and VIAs. For example, if your file uses a PAD for a plug-in hole and you request "over-hole cover oil," you must carefully check whether that PAD is also acting as a VIA. If so, the green solder mask may cover it, preventing proper soldering. Always double-check whether the hole is intended to be covered or opened. Many customers use PADs (plug-in holes) to represent conductive holes, which can cause the factory to open the window by mistake. This leads to disputes, as the desired outcome might be "cover oil" instead of an open window. It's essential to clearly define whether the hole is a via or a pad in your design. No one else will know unless you specify it clearly. During the Gerber conversion process, unclear design standards or incorrect settings can lead to confusion. When sending Gerber files, the manufacturer can’t easily tell which holes are vias and which are pads. The only way to ensure clarity is through proper layer definitions. If there's a help layer, the window should be opened; otherwise, the oil should be applied. Always verify your Gerber files before sending them out. In Protel, the VIA option includes a "tenting" feature. If you enable it, the via will be covered with solder mask. To control this, when outputting the solder mask, you can choose whether to open or cover the vias. For pads, the standard method is to apply cover oil. If you're using a PAD for a plug-in hole, make sure it's clearly defined. When ordering, always confirm whether you’re providing the original design files or Gerber files, and ensure they meet your requirements. Langrui Energy (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd , https://www.langruibattery.com