# Gerber File Check: The Flux Agent Checks Your Files Before Fabrication Check Gerber files before fabrication with Flux. Review copper spacing, silkscreen, board outline, DRC, BOM, and pick-and-place files. Written by [Dirk Stoop](https://www.flux.ai/dirk-builds) Published Oct 2026 - 3 min read ![Gerber File Check: The Flux Agent Checks Your Files Before Fabrication](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/gerber-file-check/main.webp) To check Gerber files before fabrication, ask Flux to inspect the exported manufacturing package against your design and your fab's requirements. Flux checks copper gaps, silkscreen and the board outline, renders the Gerber layers for visual review, runs design rule checks on the exported board, and compares the BOM and pick-and-place file with the design. The Flux agent is an AI hardware engineer that works on the complete device. It can design the board and its enclosure, then check the files that will go to manufacturing. You get the results in the same project where your team does the design work. ## Check the files your fab will receive A four-layer controller board has copper, solder mask, silkscreen, and an outline that must agree. Give Flux the minimum copper spacing from your fab's specifications, such as those for a JLCPCB or PCBWay order. Flux checks the gaps in the exported copper against that value and reports the locations that need attention. Flux checks the silkscreen for overlap with exposed pads and reviews whether markings are legible. It checks the board outline, renders each Gerber layer, and looks at the images. The outline matters beyond the board: it sets the shape that must fit the enclosure, mounting points, and connector openings. Flux also runs DRC on the exported board and compares the result with the project checks. Read more about [design rule checks](https://docs.flux.ai/reference/design-rule-check--drc-) and [manufacturing exports](https://docs.flux.ai/Introduction/getting-started-in-flux--export-and-manufacturing). ## Check the assembly files together For an assembled board, the fab needs more than Gerbers. The bill of materials identifies the parts; the pick-and-place file tells the assembly equipment where to put them. Flux cross-checks both against the design: designators, footprints, positions, rotations, and missing or extra parts. It reports what it finds so your team can resolve discrepancies before sending the package. The assembly is part of a complete device. A connector must line up with its enclosure opening, and the mounted board must fit its mechanical supports. Keep that mechanical work in the same Flux project as the electronics, and use the file check as part of your manufacturing review. See also [checking component heights against an enclosure](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/check-component-heights-enclosure-before-manufacturing) and [our guide to Gerber files](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/gerber-files-explained). ## How to ask Flux Open your project and give Flux the fab requirements and the files to check. For example: > Export the manufacturing files for this four-layer controller board. Check the Gerbers against our fab's minimum copper spacing of 0.15 mm. Check the silkscreen and board outline, render and inspect each layer, and run DRC on the exported board. Compare the BOM and pick-and-place file with the design, including designators, footprints, rotations, and missing or extra parts. Report the results and package the files for fabrication and assembly. Use the spacing from your chosen fab and board specification. Ask Flux to review the enclosure, mounting features, and connector access in the same project as you prepare the complete device for manufacture. [Open a project in Flux](https://www.flux.ai/signup) and ask the agent to check your manufacturing files. ## FAQ ### How do I check Gerber files before fabrication? Ask Flux to export and inspect the Gerbers. Give it your fab's minimum copper spacing. Flux checks copper gaps, silkscreen and the board outline, and renders the layers for visual review. ### Can Flux check Gerbers against my PCB fab's rules? Yes. Give Flux the minimum copper spacing for your board and fab. Flux compares it with the gaps in the exported copper and reports the results. ### Can Flux check the BOM and pick-and-place file? Yes. Flux compares the BOM and pick-and-place file with the design, including designators, footprints, positions, rotations, and missing or extra parts. ### Does Flux run DRC on the exported board? Yes. Flux runs DRC on the exported board and compares the result with the project checks as part of the manufacturing file review. ## About the author [Dirk Stoop](https://www.flux.ai/dirk-builds) Head of Product at Flux Dirk is Head of Product at Flux, where he shapes the vision for AI-native hardware design tools. Find him on Flux [@dirk-builds](https://www.flux.ai/dirk-builds) Let’s start building Build your big idea together with Flux. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. ![Close-up photo of a PCB made with Flux, with an ESP32 module, buttons, and a microSD slot.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/miscellaneous/sidebar-cta-pcb.webp) [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ## Related Content [ ![Technical isometric illustration in glowing teal on charcoal: an exploded device with an enclosure lid, a circuit board with a BGA and length-matched meander traces, and a base with a fan, linked by dashed lines to four tiles with a waveform, an eye diagram, a heat map, and a meshed bracket](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-agent-hardware-design-workflows-beyond-eda-cad/main.webp) ### Your AI Agent Can Outgrow Its Editor: Hardware Design Workflows Beyond EDA and CAD Features 10 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-agent-hardware-design-workflows-beyond-eda-cad)[ ![Teal isometric illustration of an exploded electronic device, with a circuit board, enclosure halves, and a bracket assembling along guide lines, while a drafting compass, ruler, and pencil lie set aside](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/ai-deskilling-hardware-engineers/main.webp) ### AI Is Coming for Your CAD Skills. 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Let’s build your idea together. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ![Close-up of a Flux-designed printed circuit board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/mission-visual.webp)