Monday, July 30, 2012

Release Highlights for CAM350 Product Version 10.2


Introduction


CAM350 Version 10.2.2 is a support release for CAM350.  CAM350 10.2.2 includes support for  Microsoft Windows 7 and Mentor PADS Layout version 9.2.  Other CAM350 updates include resolutions for customer reported problems concerning ODB++ support for offset pads and flip panels, mill tabs in route arcs and mill route support for flipped images. 


 CAM350 10.2 includes Gerber import improvements for polygon self intersection analysis and DRC analysis accuracy updates for polygon outlines with arcs. 


CAM350 Version 10.1 is a support release for CAM350.  CAM350 10.1 includes performance improvements and memory usage improvements over previous releases of CAM350. Areas of improved performance include Gerber import and ODB++ import.  Optimization for memory usage is delivered in CAM350 10.1 for all polygon analysis, which means that larger more complex layers of polygons can now be processed for commands such as Netlist Extract and Gerber Import. CAM350 10.1 also delivers over 50 important customer reported defect resolutions. 


CAM350 Version 10.0 introduced significant new functionality, including reading and writing BluePrintPCB files, new graphics user interface, a project explorer bar, flip panel support, design compare, Expedition cross probing, and various enhancements. 

New Functionality


The following functional enhancements are contained in CAM350 Version 10.1
  • 9 Gerber Import and Export Improvements 
  • 9 ODB++ Import Improvements 
  • 9 Netlist Extract Updates 
  • 9 PADS Import Updates 


Details


Gerber Import and Export Improvements – The File > Import > Gerber Data command has been updated for CAM350 V10.2 to report illegal self intersecting polygons and prompt the user with the option to repair.  


The File > Import > Gerber Data command has been updated for CAM350 V10.1 to include faster polygon processing.  Certain CAD systems generate so-called cutline polygons that are used for efficient flooding and display.  CAM350 reduces these complex shapes into simple outlines with circular or polygonal voids.  The process to analyze the cutline polygons has been optimized.  For certain Gerber designs, import times can improve by up to a factor of 20 times.  This optimization will affect many Mentor Graphics designs. 



The File > Import > Gerber Data and File > Export > Gerber Data commands have been updated to pass arcs in polygon outlines as true arcs, rather than as segmented chords.
This update allows for more accurate Gerber data in CAM350 and allows for smaller Gerber files on export from CAM350. 


ODB++ Import Improvements – The File > Import > ODB++ command has been updated for CAM350 V10.1.  The ODB++ data transfer format is an important standard for the PCB fabrication industry. For CAM350 V10.1, the ODB++ import performance has been improved by up to a factor of 10 times for large designs. The ODB++ import command is also updated for CAM350 V10.1 to support stacked blind and buried vias. Netlist Extract Updates – For CAM350 V10.1, the Utilities > Netlist Extract command has been updated to utilize memory more effectively. Specifically, for large designs, the analysis of complex layers in previous releases of CAM350 could exceed the standard 2 gigabyte limit for processes on Windows 32 bit operating systems.  Parallel programming for layer analysis is now used in CAM350 V10.1 to break through the 2 gigabyte limit.  For large designs, the connectivity analysis for complex layers is performed in separate 2 gigabytes memory pools, separate from the main CAM350 process.  The parallel programming techniques are invoked based on the quantity of data being analyzed. Additionally for CAM350 V10.1, the Utilities > Netlist Extract command has been updated to support complete connectivity analysis of plated drill slots, plated mill slots and all plated mill routes.  The analysis of plated slots and mill routes now enables greater coverage of the final fabrication artwork.  


PADS Import Updates – The File > Import > CAD Data command has been updated to support PADS Layout Version 9.0.  New features include support for importing chamfered and rounded pads from PADS Layout decal definitions.  These new pad definitions coincide with ODB++ intrinsic aperture definitions.  The ODB++ standard names are used for these chamfered and rounded pads.  


Defect Fixes – Over 50 software corrections have been made to previously existing functionality, further improving upon CAM350’s quality and reliability.


Full details of the Release Highlights for CAM350 Product Version 10.2 can be obtained on this link.
http://www.downstreamtech.com/support/support-cam350/CAM350_10/CAM350_10.2.2ReleaseHighlights-Build401.pdf

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Mr. Bean at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony!!

You've read  trending posts on your social media sites about the London 2012 Olympics 


opening Ceremony where James Bond, Mr. Bean added glitter, fun during the festivities 


only to find out being unable to watch posted videos on youtube.com or other video 


posting sites...




Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.







Mr. Bean on the keyboard for the orchestra playing 'Chariots of Fire' at the London 2012 Olympics.




(credit goes to the original uploader on youtube)




Friday, July 27, 2012

Introduction to CAM 350


Today’s complex PCB designs require comprehensive verification before they are transferred to the PCB fabricator to ensure a successful and timely manufacture of bare boards. Problems arising during PCB fabrication can drastically impact product schedules, result in costly design re-spins, and require modifications to the design that might compromise the design’s integrity and intent. Inspecting, preparing and validating the PCB design prior to release to manufacturing will result in a significant increase in efficiency, less risk of design re-spin, and, most importantly, successful electronic products, built faster, at less cost.


CAM350 offers a complete suite of tools, from design through fabrication, streamlining the transition of engineering data into successful, physical PCBs.




CAM350 for PCB Designers and Electrical Engineers


CAM350 will import your CAD database or you can choose to import Gerber files. It will then verify that the electrical characteristics match the design intent. Errors can occur in translation such as accidental inclusion of non electrical items in Gerber output or problems with manual separation of voltages on a plane layer. CAM350 will graphically match up original design files with Gerbers to ensure accuracy by locating any disparities.


CAM350 also offers Design Rule Checks (DRC) to verify the Gerber layers match the design rules in your CAD system and the capabilities of your fabricator as well. CAM350's Design for Fabrication (DFF) tools insure the board not only matches manufacturing capabilities, but also searches out design flaws that may affect yields resulting in missed deliveries and delayed product release.


CAM350’s Design for Fabrication (DFF) Analysis pulls fabrication rules into the PCB design domain and presents them in a way that is understood by the PCB designer. DFF Analysis verifies the PCB database to find issues that may cause problems when entering into the fabrication process.


Directly import your design data for true WYSIWYG representation
Analyze, identify, and fix manufacturing flaws that may cause delay
Inspect for etching, soldermask, thermal, and spacing violations
Verify and maintain design integrity and intent
Easy to learn, use and implement

CAM350 for CAM Engineers
CAM350 automates the PCB CAM engineering department by preparing and optimizing the design files for fabrication. Getting designs quickly through fabrication is a very complex process and effectively managing each operation is the key to moving into high-volume production. With a solution for every operation, CAM350 manages data input and preparation, through analysis, test, mill and drill to final bare-board production.


Any complication during fabrication will make the job time consuming and labor intensive, decreasing profitability. CAM350 can safeguard against these setbacks.


When using CAM350, the CAM engineer will accurately prepare, optimize and process the design data. CAM350 will perform an in depth analysis of the data to locate manufacturing violations, it will create optimized mill and drill files, prepare test data, and produce panelization strategies, all resulting in an automated, highly effective process.

  • Seek out and repair manufacturability flaws in the design
  • Create NC files quickly and accurately
  • Optimize the drill and mill machine performance
  • Streamline tooling with panelization functionality
  • Extract the essential data to drive test equipment
  • Optimize test machine performance and probing time
  • Identify collisions, break-outs, and un-probable conditions



With the ability to effectively manage each operation while increasing productivity, reducing turn-around time, and ensuring top quality board output, CAM350 is the only solution you need. You can achieve new levels of speed, accuracy, and excellence, the first time around, when it counts the most.