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I use OrCAD environment for designing PCBs but I've never thought about what is the purpose of a Drill Symbol in padstack creator. The diameter is set in the Drill bookmark and other parameters like antipads or thermal pads in Design Layers. I can see it in the layout file. What is that used for?

Drill symbol

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  • \$\begingroup\$ You don't include mounting pads in your board designs? I'm not sure what the question is, why are there drills? Even via's require drills... \$\endgroup\$ – Ron Beyer May 27 '20 at 12:00
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    \$\begingroup\$ it's part of the "package" sent to a board manufacturer. They may use it; they may have another method. \$\endgroup\$ – Andy aka May 27 '20 at 12:08
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They're used to create a drill chart, which some PCB manufacturers use to double-check things like the match-up of the CNC drill files and the Gerbers.

I seldom-to-never send it with the Gerbers and drill file. In my experience, not much goes wrong on that account and I doubt they bother looking at it. From this site:

enter image description here

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Hi Spehro. Your post has explained everything. Thank you. \$\endgroup\$ – Marco Svizzeri May 28 '20 at 8:04

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