Pick and place file
A pick and place file (also called centroid file, CPL, or XY data) is a machine-readable list of every component's position, rotation, and board side. It is one of the three core files — alongside Gerber and BOM — needed to quote and run PCB assembly.
What it is
The pick and place file tells the assembly machine where each component goes. For every part, it specifies the reference designator (R1, C5, U3, etc.), the X and Y coordinates of the component's centroid, the rotation angle in degrees, and which side of the board the component belongs on (top or bottom).
The file is typically exported as CSV from the ECAD tool (Altium, KiCad, Eagle, Fusion 360 Electronics, EasyEDA). Coordinates are usually in millimetres with the origin at the lower-left corner of the board outline, though some tools default to inches or use the centre of the board — fabricators typically request mm and a specific origin.
Common pitfalls include rotation conventions (some tools use clockwise positive, others counter-clockwise), missing parts that were placed manually after export, and inconsistent reference designators between BOM and pick and place file. Most fabricators provide a visual preview where the file is overlaid on the Gerber outline — using this preview to verify rotations and positions before approving the quote catches most errors before production.
When it matters
An incorrect or incomplete pick and place file causes assembly delays and rework. If a polarised component (electrolytic capacitor, diode, IC) is rotated incorrectly in the file, the assembly machine will place it wrong and the board will fail electrical test. If components are missing from the file, the assembler will not place them at all. Verifying the file against the visual preview before production starts is the single most effective way to prevent assembly defects.
At Nordic PCB
When you submit a pick and place file for quote, our suppliers verify completeness and overlay the data on your Gerber files to flag rotation, position, or missing-component issues. The visual preview is shared in the quote response so you can confirm placement before approving production. For designs exported from KiCad, EasyEDA, or other tools that require specific header formats, we handle the reformatting — you don't need to match supplier-specific templates manually.
Related terms
- Gerber file
A Gerber file is the industry-standard format that describes each layer of a PCB — copper, solder mask, silkscreen, and drill data — as 2D vector geometry. A complete Gerber package is the minimum a fabricator needs to quote and build your board.
- BOM
A BOM (Bill of Materials) is the structured list of every component needed to build a PCB, mapping reference designators on the board to specific manufacturer parts. It is one of the three core files — alongside Gerber and pick and place — required to quote and assemble a PCBA.
- SMT
SMT (Surface Mount Technology) is the dominant PCB assembly method where components are placed directly onto the surface of the board and soldered using reflow ovens. It enables smaller, denser, double-sided boards and supports nearly all modern component packages including BGAs, QFNs, and 0402 passives.
- PCBA
PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) is the process of populating a bare PCB with electronic components — resistors, capacitors, ICs, connectors, and other parts — to produce a functional electronic assembly ready for testing or integration into a finished product.
- Fiducial marks
Fiducial marks are small copper reference dots on a PCB (typically 1 mm diameter) used by automated assembly machines to align the board precisely before placing components. Three fiducials per side enable rotation and skew correction. Their absence or incorrect placement can prevent SMT assembly entirely.