---
title: "How to Generate X/Y Centroid Files (Pick-and-Place Data) Using FAB 3000 | Numerical Innovations"
url: https://www.numericalinnovations.com/blog/centroid-pick-place-fab3000
description: "Learn how to easily generate accurate X/Y Centroid (Pick-and-Place) files using FAB 3000. This step-by-step guide explains component recognition, rotation, placement data, export formats, and assembly-readiness tips for flawless PCB manufacturing."
lang: en
---

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Image: PCB Pick-and-Place Assembly with X/Y Centroid Data (https://www.numericalinnovations.com/assets/centroid-pick-place-fab3000-CZuBVI-t.jpg)

Technical Guide

# How to Generate X/Y Centroid Files (Pick-and-Place Data) with FAB 3000

Numerical Innovations Team

November 6, 2025

FAB 3000

Printed circuit boards are tiny cities bursting with electronic residents. Surface-mount components — your microchips, LEDs, capacitors — need a precise address and orientation, or chaos ensues. Automated assembly machines act like Uber drivers for components, rapidly placing each one exactly where it belongs. To do that, they rely on a map known as a **Centroid File** (also called an **X/Y** or **Pick-and-Place file**).

Some CAD software produces this map automatically. Others shrug and leave you hanging. **FAB 3000** swoops in like a seasoned cartographer, generating complete centroid data directly from your Gerber files. No tears. No tea-spilling. Just smooth automation.

## What's Inside a Centroid File?

A centroid file contains:

- **Reference Designators** (R1, C12, U4…)
- **X/Y Coordinates** (component center point)
- **Rotation** (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
- **Side of Board** (Top or Bottom)
- Optional details like part packages, descriptions, and height

In short:

Centroid data ensures every component lands exactly where it should — with the correct orientation — during automated pick-and-place assembly.

## How FAB 3000 Makes It Easy

If your design team didn't provide an X/Y file, no problem.

**FAB 3000 reverse-engineers the centroid data using only your Gerber files.**

Here is the simple recipe:

## Step-by-Step: Create X/Y Centroid Files in FAB 3000

### 1. Load Your Gerber & Drill Files

- Import your full PCB manufacturing dataset.
- FAB 3000 recognizes pads, outlines, silkscreen, and reference text.

### 2. Enable Component Recognition

- Use **Assembly View** to visualize components.
- FAB 3000 analyzes silkscreen, copper, drills, and placement markers to identify component locations.

### 3. Assign Rotation & Attributes

If anything needs adjusting:

- Edit rotations
- Assign part packages
- Add height or centroid reference
- Import BOM data to sync part numbers

### 4. Auto-Generate the Centroid File

Click **Export Centroid** — FAB 3000 produces:

- X/Y coordinates
- Rotations
- Side of board
- Optional BOM-matched details

### 5. Export in Your Preferred Format

Including:

- CSV
- TXT
- IPC-D-356
- Other assembly-friendly formats

An entire pick-and-place map… conjured from copper and clever automation.

## Why This Matters

- ✔ Speeds up PCB assembly
- ✔ Reduces human error
- ✔ Eliminates hand-generated placement files
- ✔ Ensures manufacturing readability
- ✔ Works with nearly any CAD system

Gerbers become not just artwork —
but a full passport for assembly.

## PCB Designer Assembly-Readiness Checklist (Before Exporting Centroid Data)

### 🆔 Designators

- Unique reference designators
- Visible on silkscreen
- Placed near the correct component

### 📐 Placement & Orientation

- Correct part origins
- Rotations follow assembler's conventions
- Polarized parts marked clearly
- Odd-shaped components validated

### 🔺 Board Sides & Fiducials

- Correct top/bottom assignment
- Global fiducials included
- Local fiducials near dense areas

### 📦 Component Classification

- "Do Not Place" parts flagged
- Mechanical features excluded
- Tall/sensitive components verified

### 🔗 Data Consistency

- BOM matches designators
- No duplicate or off-board components
- Bottom-side rotation flips checked

## Why FAB 3000 Gives You an Advantage

Surface-mount assembly demands precision.

FAB 3000 transforms your existing Gerbers into intelligent placement data:

- Rotation
- Coordinates
- Designators
- Side mapping
- Package mapping

This eliminates delays, avoids costly mistakes, and ensures your PCB is manufacturable and assembly-ready.

## Conclusion

Whether your CAD tool didn't generate pick-and-place data, or you simply want confidence in assembly readiness, FAB 3000 makes centroid creation effortless.

By generating accurate X/Y placement data straight from Gerbers, you reduce production time, prevent assembly errors, and streamline your path to manufacturing success.

## Call to Action

Interested in streamlining your PCB design and manufacturing process?

Learn more about FAB 3000 (https://www.numericalinnovations.com/fab-3000) and download your free full-featured demo.

#FAB3000

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