The short answer
What this setting controls
Width and length are measured across the board outline, not from the first component to the last component. Cut-outs, slots, rails and customer panels can affect the manufacturing footprint.
Review the analysed outline against the intended fabrication drawing. Pay attention to rotated rectangles, routed cut-outs, edge rails, slots and any panel geometry that changes the manufacturing envelope.
Options in the order form
How the available choices differ
| Choice | Use it for | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| Analysed width × length | The manufacturing envelope | Locked after Gerber analysis so the design package and quote cannot drift apart. |
| Cut-outs and slots | Internal mechanical geometry | Keep them on recognised mechanical/routing layers and dimension critical features in the fabrication drawing. |
| Panel outline | Customer-panel orders | The panel—not an individual circuit—sets the quoted manufacturing size. |
Compatibility
What can change with this selection
- Dimensions become read-only after board analysis.
- A panel order may quote the panel footprint while quantity refers to panels; check the selected delivery format.
- If the page disables a choice, treat it as a compatibility result and adjust the controlling design decision rather than forcing the value.
Practical recommendation
How to make the decision
- Before upload, enter an honest planning size only if the workflow has no analysed board yet.
- After analysis, use the Gerber-derived values as the source of truth.
- If the geometry looks wrong, revise the design package and start a new project instead of forcing a different size.
Before release
Check these points before adding the quote to cart
- Confirm the selected value matches the released Gerber, drawing, stack-up, BOM or assembly plan.
- Review any fields that changed automatically after this selection.
- Check the board preview and server-calculated estimate before adding the quote to cart.
- Before upload, enter an honest planning size only if the workflow has no analysed board yet.
- After analysis, use the Gerber-derived values as the source of truth.
- If the geometry looks wrong, revise the design package and start a new project instead of forcing a different size.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for ordering and design review
Can I edit the dimensions after upload?
No. The values are intentionally locked to the analysed board so the estimate and the submitted design remain aligned.
Why does the size matter so much?
It affects material area, panel utilisation, shipping weight and several process limits.
When should I change Board dimensions?
Change it when the released electrical, mechanical, thermal, assembly or quality plan gives a measurable reason. Otherwise keep the compatible default and review the resulting board preview and estimate.
Why is an option disabled?
The current material, geometry, layer count, quantity or another selected process makes that combination unavailable. Change the controlling selection or revise the design package rather than trying to bypass the disabled state.
Can I rely on the online choice as final manufacturing approval?
No. The interface screens known combinations and requests pricing, while final manufacturability remains subject to the released files and technical review.
What should I record outside the order form?
Put controlled requirements in the fabrication drawing, assembly drawing, stack-up, BOM or acceptance plan. Use Special instructions only for a concise pointer to that controlled requirement.
Will changing this update other selections?
It can. The order form re-evaluates compatibility and may replace a now-invalid dependent choice before requesting a fresh server-side estimate. Review every highlighted or automatically changed field.
What if the design requires an option that is not offered?
Do not approximate it with a different label. Recheck the controlling material and geometry, document the actual requirement, and request technical review before placing the order.
Useful engineering tools
Calculators and preparation guides
Further reading
Standards and technical references
Use the latest applicable revision and your organisation’s controlled requirements when a standard forms part of product acceptance.