Latest posts

CAM Compare tool

3 use models of the CAM Compare tool

Using the CAM Compare tool Valor NPI comes coupled with multiple tool kits specifically designed to manage and assist with…

Z-planner Enterprise PCB stackup tool

What’s New in Z-planner V2022.1

Creating the correct PCB stackup using the proper materials and then transferring that information to your fabricator is extremely important in the success of your PCB design.  Being able to “left-shift” this stage of your design process can add huge cost and quality savings into your entire design.

PCB assembly machine

What is the PCB Design Process?

The PCB design process can be different depending on your company, but the fundamental aspects are all the same –…

PCB Designer on Valor NPI

How do you track changes made to your CAM files?

PCB DFM comparison of CAM files CAM Compare is a popular DFM tool that comes packaged with every version of…

PCB manufacturing capabilities

Why is Design for Manufacturing important?

Who is PCB DFM for? For those of us that have climbed a mountain to take in the gaze of…

PCB material selection

Choosing the right laminate for your PCB design

A balanced approach to material selection involves understanding and considering more than just electrical parameters. In general, with dielectric materials, every parameter that improves performance comes at a marginal increase in cost. Because of this, ensuring that you don’t overdesign within your materials is quite important.

What's new with Valor NPI DFM software release 11.5

What’s new in Valor NPI v11.5

Valor NPI 11.5 continues to introduce new and existing capabilities in MRA-Revolution, with a more complete Classification set which includes design preparations and analysis use of copper reference layers. Comparing an ODB++ to fabricator changes becomes easy and precise with the new CAM Compare flow and the first connection to stackup setup is established with Z-Planner integration.

IC PCB DFT image

Proactive Design for Test (DFT) best practices

The process of PCB DFT needs to be considered sooner and more proactively in our PCB design process, incorporated in the schematic phase, not during the layout phase. A designer should determine what nets will be needed to be tested based on their likelihood of failure and position those pins in open, accessible real-estate.

Z-planner Stackup design overview.

Practical advice on PCB stackup planning

The more technology advances, the more attention we must pay to every aspect of printed circuit board (PCB) design, including…