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A plated hole does not mean every copper layer is connected. The pad stack and plane clearances define the intended connections. A non-plated hole also needs clearance from nearby copper according to the design and process. Review those geometries explicitly; the drilling operation cannot determine the intended net connectivity from a single diameter value.

Slots deserve special attention because they combine contour definition with hole-wall intent. State the finished width and length, the end geometry and the required plating state. If a slot serves a connector tab or enclosure feature, include the mating-part requirements and the relevant tolerance. Do not assume that a row of overlapping drill hits communicates the same requirement.

For a PTH, the production opening is prepared before the conductive wall is built. The selected tool and process compensate for the intended finished opening and manufacturing variation. The customer normally needs to communicate the finished functional requirement clearly. The fabricator then reviews the production route rather than treating a finished-hole label as a literal drill-bit instruction.

Do not independently add an assumed oversize to every PTH file unless the agreed data convention explicitly requires it. Otherwise compensation may be applied twice. Conversely, do not assume a raw tool diameter will yield the same finished diameter after plating. Identify the convention in the release notes and resolve it before CAM preparation.

For NPTH features, the absence of plating does not eliminate dimensional variation. Tool condition, routing, material and measurement still matter. Location accuracy is also separate from size accuracy. The PCB tolerances guide explains how to keep those requirements distinct in the drawing and inspection plan.

Your release should allow a CAM reviewer to distinguish plated and non-plated features without guessing. Depending on the export workflow, this may use separate drill sets, explicit file attributes and a drill drawing that agrees with them. Use a consistent origin and units across copper, profile and drill data. Check the rendered export rather than relying only on file names.

and are authoritative starting points for manufacturing data formats. A defined data representation helps communication, but it does not resolve a contradiction between the exported data and a mechanical drawing. The released package must still state which revision and requirements apply.

Include a hole table that groups identical requirements and gives each group a stable identifier. The table should distinguish round holes from slots and explain any exceptional features. A drill map is useful for location, while the table provides the specification. Keep both aligned with the actual coordinate data so a later edit does not leave an obsolete callout behind.

A soldered through-hole lead needs a suitable relationship between the lead and finished hole, as well as an appropriate land and assembly process. Excessive or insufficient clearance can create problems, but the correct value depends on the component and process. Use the component manufacturer's current recommendation and have the proposed footprint reviewed.

A press-fit contact relies on its designed interaction with the plated opening. Hole size alone is not the entire requirement. Board thickness, hole construction, finish and installation conditions can matter. illustrates why the selected connector's own documentation is necessary. Do not apply one part family's dimensions to an unrelated contact.

When assembly is included, pass the same controlled component and hole requirements to the PCB Assembly team. A fabrication change intended to help hole production can affect insertion or soldering. Record the approval across both manufacturing stages before producing boards against a revised opening.

A PTH connection depends on the surrounding land and the relevant copper layers. Review the annular ring with the correct drilling and registration assumptions. A finished hole within its size limits does not by itself prove that the internal connection geometry is acceptable. Keep size, registration and connectivity evidence separate.

An NPTH near copper or a board edge needs a deliberate clearance strategy. The required distance follows the construction, mechanical role and manufacturing process. An unplated hole may still expose nearby metal if the geometry is inappropriate. Do not treat the NPTH label as a substitute for checking the actual copper and profile relationship.

For special features such as edge-plated slots, castellations, backdrilled holes or filled vias, identify the specialized requirement rather than hiding it in a generic PTH note. Those structures may need additional drawings, process steps and inspection. Ask for the relevant manufacturing review when the feature exceeds a simple through opening.

Hole count, sizes, depth-to-diameter relationships, slots and special process steps can affect fabrication effort. Tight limits or additional evidence can also influence the quote. The difference between PTH and NPTH is not a fixed price multiplier. A meaningful estimate requires the actual drill populations, construction and acceptance scope.

Send fabrication data, a consistent hole table, the board revision and relevant component drawings. Mark unresolved plating intent or dimensional conflicts. Ask the supplier to state any proposed changes and assumptions before release. A short review at this stage is more useful than a quick price based on an ambiguous drill package.

For the finished board order, return to PCB Manufacturing. Download the worksheet as a discussion attachment if it helps identify a critical hole group. The tool does not send the information automatically to Contact, and a generated brief does not replace the controlled drawing or the reviewed production data.