Panel
The Panel tab lets you define multi-up panel layouts for PCB production. Configure the grid arrangement, frame rails, fiducials, tooling holes, routing channels, tabs, and support bars – all with a live canvas preview.
Suggestions
Click Generate to compute panel layout suggestions based on your configured preferred and maximum panel envelope (set in Team Settings). The suggestion engine proposes grid configurations that maximize board count while respecting size limits. Click Auto-panelize to apply a suggestion.
General settings
- Count X / Count Y – number of boards in columns and rows
- Rotation – rotate individual boards (0 or 90 degrees)
The panel dimensions update in real time as you adjust values.
Frame
Enable a frame around the panel for handling and machine registration:
- Per-side widths – independent frame widths for top, bottom, left, and right edges
- Corner radius – rounded corners on the frame
Support bars
Support bars run between columns or rows to add structural rigidity:
- Column rail / Row rail widths – set rail width independently
- Selective placement – enable bars between specific columns and rows
Fiducials
Fiducial marks are used by pick-and-place machines for alignment:
- Diameter – fiducial pad size
- Position – top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right (any combination)
Tooling holes
Tooling holes allow mechanical registration in fixtures:
- Diameter and Offset from panel edges
- Position – configurable per corner
Panel connections
Separation type
Choose how boards are separated:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Routed | Routing channels with tab bridges |
| V-Cut | V-score lines for break-apart |
| Mixed | Different separation methods per edge |
Set the routing tool diameter and configure separation type independently for each edge (top, bottom, left, right).
Tabs
Tabs hold boards together within routed panels. Configure:
- Tab count per edge
- Tab width
- Mouse bite perforation – hole diameter and spacing for easy breakaway
Tab positions are managed visually on the canvas using the Move, Add, and Delete toolbar buttons.
Component overlay
Enable SMD and THT component overlays on the panel view to verify that components do not conflict with tabs, routing channels, or frame elements.
Canvas controls
The panel canvas shows the full layout in real time. All sidebar edits immediately reflect on the canvas. Use the Show Danger button to highlight the keep-out inset zone near board edges.
Panel size warnings
If the panel exceeds your configured maximum size limits, a warning appears in the status bar. Configure preferred and maximum panel sizes in Team Settings.