Migrating from Gerber to ODB++ CAM Compare

Gerber files have long been the industry standard for PCB design and manufacturing data. However, with the increasing complexity of modern designs, Gerber files have become less effective in conveying all the necessary data required for manufacturing. ODB++ is a newer format that was developed specifically to address the shortcomings of Gerber files. ODB++ is a comprehensive format that includes all the necessary data for manufacturing, including component placement, drill files, and manufacturing details such as the thickness of the PCB and the type of solder mask just to mention a few.

What is DFM and DFA?

DFM and DFA are relevant to almost any product be it assembling bicycles where primarily the product is mechanical components to electronic devices such as cell phones, routers, and computers which require both mechanical and electrical components. The primary focus of this blog will be PCB Design through PCB Fabrication and PCB Assembly within the electronic realm and how it relates to DFM and DFA.

What’s New in Valor NPI 2305

Valor NPI has recently been updated with version 2305. Included within are many of the revisions and feature updates for this latest version of the software

Making Parts Part of Manufacturing Driven Design

When it comes to PCB assembly level MDD, many designers have not concerned themselves with the component manufacturing Bill of Material (BOM). Designers work from a CAD library that has component libraries associated with internal part numbers (IPN) their company uses. The CAD Design Rule Checking software uses those CAD library shapes for its analysis and even, in some cases, the avoidance of where components are placed. There is nothing wrong conceptually with this mentality. However, like all things, the details matter.

detectives investigate DFM within a PCB design

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part III

Previously… People often say ‘better late than never’, but I’ve never heard my boss say that. After much difficulty in…

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part II

Previously… After receiving our boards and having them pass inspection I breathed a sigh of relief as this project was…

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part I

It was just another Monday at the office. I had released a design I had been working on for four…

PCB DFM Constraints with Valor NPI

Advanced DFM Constraints management in ADM (Analysis Definition Manager)- Valor NPI 2211

The Analysis Definition Manager (ADM), introduced in Valor NPI 10.0, is a constraints management tool for creating and maintaining sets of Design for Manufacturing DFM rules to be used during the analysis in Valor NPI.

flex PCB technology

Top 5 rigid-flex design guidelines

Rigid-flex DFM I am not sure if you have seen a rigid-flex circuit before, but I bet you must have…