Panoramica comandi
Intelligent Data Transfer
VisualCAM comes standard with intelligent data transfer interfaces
for formats such as ODB++, ODB++ XML, IPC-2581 (OffSpring),
DirectCAM import, and PADS ASCII import. These formats provide
VisualCAM users with the ability to achieve maximum data transfer to
manufacturing, for improved quality and reliability during the
manufacturing engineering phases of any job flow.
Interfacing with other systems has
never been easier; take a look at the broad range of support that
these formats provide:
Altium |
|
P-CAD |
=ODB++ |
Altium Designer |
=ODB++ |
|
|
Cadence |
|
Allegro & Allegro
Studio |
=ODB++ |
OrCAD Layout |
=ODB++ |
|
|
Frontline
Solutions |
|
Genesis2000 |
=ODB++ or
IPC-2581 (when released) |
|
|
Mentor
Graphics |
|
BoardStation |
=ODB++ |
Expedition |
=ODB++ or
IPC-2581 (when released) |
PADS |
=PADS ASCII or
DirectCAM |
|
|
Valor
Computerized Systems |
|
Enterprise3000 |
=ODB++ or
IPC-2581 (when released) |
|
|
Zuken |
|
CADSTAR |
=ODB++ |
If you are still working with
traditional Gerber formats from other systems, then you'll be
pleased to find that VisualCAM includes an Import Wizard that goes
beyond just importing Gerber data. Using the Import Wizard, you
simply direct VisualCAM to the location of your data, and it does
the rest by detecting the various file formats (Gerber, Drill, Mill,
HPGL, DXF, etc.) automatically. If you still use 274D, it will even
detect aperture table formats and convert them as well. VisualCAM
also has format-specific interfaces for all supported database types
(Gerber, Barco DPF, DXF, HPGL & HPGL/2, Excellon, Sieb & Meyer,
IPC-D-356A, etc.), just in case you want to load a single file or
re-load existing files.
Optimization
Everything you need to optimize a design for manufacturing is just a
mouse-click away with VisualCAM. Functions such as Draw-to-Flash
conversion, Teardropping, converting those nasty, special pad shapes
(the ones that are always drawn) into flashes, and more. You can
even use our Flatten Composite function to eliminate those 274X
composites that your CAD system might be outputting.
The Solder Mask Generator and
Optimizer create perfect solder mask layers for you, using a
comprehensive set of rules that are designed to give you maximum
possible clearance while maintaining optimal coverage throughout
your design. Special support for fine-pitch pads is provided, with
automatic generation of block openings for those areas, to prevent
web (sliver) problems between pads. Existing solder mask layers can
also be optimized to conform to your rule sets.
The Paste Mask Generator and
Optimizer can be appreciated by any Designer or Stencil
Manufacturer. Like the Solder Mask Generator, it is driven by a
comprehensive set of rules that are designed to give you optimal
reduction across a wide variety of pad shapes and sizes. Special
support for fine-pitch pads allows independent X and Y reductions,
to eliminate paste build-up between pads. If you already have a
paste mask layer but are not satisfied with it, the Paste Mask
Optimizer will rework it to conform to your rules.
HyperNETLIST Generation
VisualCAM provides class-leading performance with
HyperNETLIST generation. Even the toughest designs can be processed
in a matter of just a few minutes. For example, a 12"x12" 16-layer
board with 4mil traces on 4mil spaces can be processed in
approximately 10 minutes on a 3GHz P4-based PC, as compared to 30 to
45 minutes by our typical competitor. This kind of performance puts
VisualCAM on par with systems that cost tens-of-thousands of dollars
more.
MCM/LTCC Layer Stack-Up
means that you can generate a netlist for your ceramic or foil-based
designs. Unlike competitive systems that are limited to just Gerber
layers representing insulators, VisualCAM allows you to specify
Gerber or NC layers as insulators, accommodating a wider array of
data input from various CAD systems.
Graphical Netlist Comparison
Using VisualCAM's Graphical Netlist Compare, you can finally get
feedback that makes sense. Some competitive tools only provide you
with a generic, ASCII text report; with VisualCAM, you can see your
problems on the screen. Netlist compare finds shorts, opens, nets
without copper, missing net points, and test pad size differences.
Each violation is easily accessible through VisualCAM's Navigator.
Pin-Point Error capabilities
help speed the process of troubleshooting problems. Mere graphical
rendering of netlist errors isn't always enough, particularly on
more complex nets. VisualCAM can track down the actual location of
shorts and opens. The faster you can locate your problems, the
sooner you can resolve them and get your design out for production.
External Net access allows
you to see, graphically, how a set of external net points compare
with an internal net. This information, combined with Pin-Point
Errors, can dramatically aid your troubleshooting process.
Dynamic DfM Analysis Suite
VisualCAM includes a comprehensive, dynamic analysis "suite", which
covers Design Information, Design and Manufacturing Rules Checking,
Design for Fabrication, and even Embedded Passive Analysis. You are
provided with 75+ checks to help insure that a given design is "manufacturable."
The dynamic checklist environment allows for "single-pass"
analysis of an entire design, even if you want to check for 5 mil
spacing on the top and bottom sides, but need 8 mill spacing on
internal layers. Graphical Netlist Comparison, detailed above,
rounds out the suite, allowing you to cover all your checking
needs in one environment.
Design
Information Analysis provides 25 "quick" board-level queries.
These queries are used primarily for a broad overview of any given
design for quoting purposes. All queries are reported back on a
layer-by-layer basis. Some of the more popular checks include
Minimum Air Gap, Minimum Trace Width, Hole Counts, Board Size, and
Conductive Layer Count. Fabricators and Designers will both find
these features particularly useful, for the purposes of quoting new
jobs and putting together a design summary prior to submitting a job
to production.
DRC/MRC Analysis offers
checks like Trace-to-Trace, Trace-to-Pad, Pad-to-Pad, Drill-to-Pad,
Drill-to-Plan, Minimum Trace Width, Solder Mask Spacing and Annular
Ring Clearances for pads and drills, SMD Pitch & Spacing, and
Silkscreen on Pads.
DFF Analysis offers
manufacturing-oriented checks like Acid Traps, Copper Slivers,
Solder Mask Slivers, Solder Mask Bridging, Starved & Isolated
Thermals, Pin Hole Detection, Layer Registration, Resist Slivers,
and more.
Embedded Passive Analysis
provides verification support to the growing Embedded Passive
market. Designers no longer need to agonize over a lack of
verification capabilities within their CAD systems, when they design
with passive resistors. VisualCAM verifies such aspects of passive
devices as Resistor-to-Terminator Alignment, Minimum Overlap,
Termination Pad Width and Extension, and more. You can work with
either Additive or Subtractive passive materials. We've even added
utilities for verifying your resistor values, and can output reports
designed to help your fabricator during production.
NC Drill & Mill
Our NC Drill and Mill support will finish off your tooling process,
with such features as:
Advanced Tool Table Support
provides total control over drill charts. Plated and unplated tools
are supported, for increased compatibility with today's CAD systems.
Mixed tables, supporting both drill and mill tools, can now be
generated for increased compatibility with modern NC equipment.
Define NC feeds and speeds, as well as plunge and extraction rates,
to accommodate a wide range of material usage and stack-up
requirements.
Multiple Tool Tables support
designs with blind & buried vias. Plated versus non-plated drill
layers with separate tool tables can be accommodated, while still
maintaining yet another table for milling. Fabricators can have
standardized tool tables that are built around their shop floor
tooling, and map a customer's tool information to their standard
tables with ease.
NC Compensation Index Tables
allow you to control the compensation index for each tool,
supporting unique requirements such as finish sanding. It also lets
the NC operator make minor adjustments at the machine, rather than
sending the job back to CAM for reprocessing.
NC Tool Linking & Maximum Hits
increases the life of old equipment that does not have automatic
tool break detection or automatic linking. Change tools
automatically, with no intervention from the operator.
Tool Reordering for Export
allows you to change the export order of your tools, to accommodate
specific shop processes. Easily adapt a customer-provided tool list
to your shop-defined tool list.
User-Defined Break Tabs
allow you to build custom break tab libraries that can be saved and
reloaded as needed for new jobs. Five different tab types are
supported: simple, stitched, double-stitched, crown, and crown break
with stitching. Place tabs on linear segments, arcs, or circles --
with or without compensation.
Interactive Milling allows
you to create mill paths using standard "draw" and "edit" commands,
even using arcs to provide smooth, flowing mill paths on flex
designs or irregular-shaped boards. Move data back and forth between
Gerber and NC Layers -- VisualCAM automatically makes the
translation.
Drilled Text allows you to
drill part numbers, job numbers, etc. into your panels, utilizing
the "canned" feature within Excellon or Sieb & Meyer format, to
allow for automatic compensation of tool size.
Operator Messages & Stop
Commands allow CAM operators to stop machines and/or prompt NC
operators with specific messages while a job is in process.
Advanced Panelization
VisualCAM's Advanced Panelization provides a fully self-contained
environment that lets you store an unlimited number of panel
templates. You can build templates for each of your shop's standard
panel sizes, so you'll never have to define another panel
configuration again! Multi-job panelization has become more and more
popular for optimizing tooling output for prototypes, limited piece
count production, and assembly panels.
VisualCAM supports stepping and
repeating multiple jobs within a single panel. Different Robber (Galvanic)
Bars, Venting, and Thieving patterns can be defined for as many
layers as necessary, through the use of layer sets. Venting and
Thieving supports solid, dot, hatch, and starburst patterns on any
layer. VisualCAM can also accommodate positive and negative
polarities with ease.
All of these functions perform
quickly and efficiently, without the hassle of separate editors,
special symbols, and complex user interfaces. Coupons, tooling holes,
title blocks, and even your one-up designs are just .VCAM databases.
Combine as many as you like, in whatever configuration you like. The
possibilities are unlimited!
Test Fixturing
Need to create bare-board fixturing information? VisualCAM includes
test fixturing capabilities for both Flying Probe and Bed-of-Nails,
unlike the competition who requires you to purchase additional
modules for their products. You will find support for multiple pin
sizes, double-sided fixturing, test-point staggering, and more.
Netlist output is fast and easy, using the industry-standard
IPC-D-356A format.
Assembly Reverse Engineering
(Optional)
Extracting centroid information from Gerber data has historically
been a cumbersome process, prone to great amounts of difficulty and
error. Today, VisualCAM streamlines the process with 5 different
automated methods for reverse engineering component footprints,
providing processing times that range from just tens-of-seconds to
tens-of-minutes, depending upon the methodology you choose.
Component
Footprint Library support allows you to load, save, and work
with standard footprint libraries that you have built from previous
reverse engineering jobs. You may assign Part Numbers, Descriptions,
Value, and Tolerance information for any given device that has been
created with a given footprint.
IPC-D-356 Identification
offers the fastest, most accurate, and highest level of automation
for reverse engineering component footprints. Since many design data
sets include IPC-D-356 files for verification purposes, VisualCAM
allows you to use that same file for a fully-automated reverse
engineering flow that can process most jobs in seconds.
Centroid Identification is
designed for those working with older data sets that may have been
previously programmed for assembly, but now the job needs updating
and more intelligence is required. VisualCAM can take a pre-existing
ASCII centroid report file, and use it to guide you through the
reverse engineering process. During the part identification process,
a semi-automatic method uses the reference designator and part
number or device name from the report file. Most jobs can be
processed in a matter of minutes, depending on the number of
components.
Silkscreen Identification
gives you some amount of automation, even though all you have to
work from is basic Gerber data (no IPC-D-356 or centroid files are
available). VisualCAM offers a unique Character Recognition feature
that automatically converts drawn Reference Designator text to true
text, after which the Reference Designators can be used to guide you
through the reverse engineering process. While this method is not
the most ideal, it still offers a relatively high level of accuracy
and throughput -- most jobs can be processed within an hour,
depending on the number of components.
Footprint Library Identification
is for those who are more interested in using a specific set of
footprint definitions from a library that you have built yourself,
or obtained from elsewhere. During processing, footprints in the
library are automatically sorted from largest to smallest, after
which VisualCAM identifies parts on the board in that order.
Although the identification process is automated, you must label the
footprints manually with this method.
Interactive Identification
is provided as a back-up. It is used for building footprint
libraries, developing specialized footprint, or filling in where any
"holes" may have existed within an IPC-D-356 or centroid file. You
can completely reverse engineer a design using interactive
identification, however who would want to when you have four other
automated methods to choose from?
BOM Import capabilities
allows you to put the finishing touches on any assembly reverse
engineering process. Oftentimes the IPC-D-356 and/or centroid report
files only have enough information present to provide location
information. But if you also need to provide part numbers,
descriptions, values, and tolerances, then that information
typically has to come from a Bill-of-Materials (BOM) file. VisualCAM
gives you the ability to import your BOM file after footprint
identification is complete, and updates all components on the board
with the information found in the BOM.
Automation and Scripting
Automation is the ultimate goal in almost any environment, be it
design or manufacturing, and VisualCAM will not let you down. For
quick and easy scripting, VisualCAM offers traditional macro records
and playbacks. But for more advanced needs, like those of
fabrication shops, you will find a full drag-and-drop Macro
Developer that allows anyone to produce high quality macros with
ease. Our Macro Developer even comes complete with a built-in
debugger at no additional charge. |