What is Aperture Information

What is Aperture Information

Aperture Information, in the context of the PCB industry, means the data and specifications associated with apertures used in the process of plotting geometric patterns on film for printed circuit board manufacturing. Apertures are fundamental elements utilized by photo plotters to create desired patterns on the PCB. They can be indexed shapes or line-types with specified x and y dimensions.

In the PCB industry, the term “aperture” has three main definitions that contribute to the understanding of Aperture Information:

Firstly, an aperture is an indexed shape or line-type with specified dimensions, serving as a basic element or object for photo plotters to plot geometric patterns on film. The index of the aperture, known as its Position or D code, is used to identify the aperture in an aperture list.

Secondly, an aperture can also refer to a small, thin, trapezoidal piece of plastic. It is mounted in a mechanical disk called an “aperture wheel” and is used to limit and shape a light source for plotting light patterns on artwork film. The aperture contains a transparent portion that controls the size and shape of the light pattern.

Lastly, the concept of an aperture list is crucial in Aperture Information. An aperture list is a line of textual data that provides detailed information about each aperture. It includes the index names (D code and position), the shape, the usage (flash or draw), and the X and Y dimensions of each aperture. However, certain types of data may be omitted from the aperture list depending on the specific requirements of the photoplotter.