-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLevel Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Printed Circuit Broker Elmatica Encourage Development of New Language
June 28, 2017 | ElmaticaEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Elmatica is currently taking charge in developing a new language for PCB fabrication data. The development of the language will be by an independent international task group with members from the entire supply chain. If the industry is up for the challenge, the result can be both cost-efficient and a vital time saver in production.
"We are currently creating an open standard for communicating information needed for PCB fabrication. This standard is a PCB language to share information accurately. It can be used to interchange information on the specification, a profile and capabilities. Development and maintenance of the standard will be by an international task group. The task group will be committed to a continuous development and scheduled updates," says CTO Andreas Lydersen.
Avoid being a lost tourist
In today's situation, a substantial amount of time is used to interpret all information needed in the fabrication process. With a common language, the industry would save both time, money and avoid mistakes caused by misinterpretations.
"If you take as an example, legend, there are multiple ways to describe this. Some say 'legend,' 'silk screen,' 'silkscreen,' 'ink' or 'ident.' It's not rocket science to understand that interpreting this take up too much time in the supply chain. The immediate gain with the new language will be that we do not need the gerber file to set price and delivery," said Lydersen. "Imagine being a tourist at an unfamiliar destination, you are able to communicate at a basic level with body language and interpretations, but as soon as things gets complicated you need to bring along an interpreter to your vacation. If everyone used the same language, this would be unnecessary. The same goes for PCB fabrication. Why waste money on interpretations, when the issue can be easily fixed?"
"This language opens up for automation on a completely different level, and has the potential to be the most important progress in the PCB industry, since the Gerber file arrived," Lydersen added.
Participants Wanted
Elmatica needs participants to help develop this PCB specification standard, or language, called "Circuit Data." The data will have XML output and could easily be implemented into your system. It is not an alternative to ODB++, Gerber or IPC-2581 but can be a valuable integrated part of these files.
"Everything is based on IPC T-50 terminology, the task group had their first webinar this week, and more members are needed. This is not a Elmatica tool, but an open standard free for all to use, and the beta version is already set. We are aiming for a common understanding of a beta version, this side of the summer and encourage people in the industry to take part and develop this standard," said Lydersen.
Suggested Items
SMC Korea 2024 to Highlight Semiconductor Materials Trends and Innovations on Industry’s Path to $1 Trillion
04/24/2024 | SEMIWith Korea a major consumer of semiconductor materials and advanced materials a key driver of innovation on the industry’s path to $1 trillion, industry leaders and experts will gather at SMC (Strategic Materials Conference) Korea 2024 on May 29 at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to provide insights into the latest materials developments and trends. Registration is open.
Elevating PCB Design Engineering With IPC Programs
04/24/2024 | Cory Blaylock, IPCIn a monumental stride for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has successfully championed the recognition of the PCB Design Engineer as an official occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This pivotal achievement not only underscores the critical role of PCB design engineers within the technology landscape, but also marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward nurturing a robust, skilled workforce ready to propel our industry into the future.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Going Vertical: SCHMID's Advanced Solutions for Printed Circuit Boards
04/24/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Marcy LaRont chats with Bob Ferguson, the president of SCHMID, about advanced solutions for PCBs and the equipment they are highlighting at this year's show. He delves into vertical no-touch handling systems and the prospect of achieving sub-10-micron lines. Inspired by SCHMID's technology, Bob expresses excitement about where the industry is today.
Big Win for Defense Production Act Budget Allocation in FY24 Budget
04/23/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamOne year ago, President Biden issued a determination that chips and packaging are critical for national security. Since that time, much work has been done to continue the conversation in Washington, elevating the importance of the entire chips value chain, and including printed circuit boards and substrates, without which chips cannot operate.
Zentech’s Board of Directors Announces the Return of Matt Turpin as President and CEO
04/22/2024 | Zentech ManufacturingTurpin draws upon over 35 years of experience in the electronics industry and has an 18-year history with Zentech. He previously served as President and CEO from 2006 to 2019 after which time he has remained active in the EMS industry as an advisor to Zentech and other industry organizations.