-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
Article Highlights
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Elmatica Releases CircuitData Version 1
April 6, 2018 | ElmaticaEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Elmatica has released Version 1 of CircuitData, an open source solution by which the industry can come together to finally speak a common language for article specification.
“Over my 25-year tenure in the PCB manufacturing and EMS industries, communicating the clear intent of a design to manufacturers has gotten worse, not better, creating incredible frustration and inefficiency in a market that demands speed and reliability. CircuitData is an open source solution by which the industry can come together to finally speak a common language for article specification,” says Judy Warner, director of marketing, community engagement at Altium.
An Addition, Not Replacement
“This language works inside of ODB++ and IPC-2581 and does not replace them. It speaks through computers, not outdated, inefficient PDF files which contain wildly disparate terms that may mean the same thing—or not! CircuitData has opened the door for us to begin speaking the same language and finally communicate crystal clear manufacturing intent. All of this value at no cost, along with an invitation to collaborate industry-wide. CircuitData absolutely has my vote. Industry 4.0 here we come,” says Warner.
Digging Into the Details
Where Version 0.8 was essentially describing the summary of the PCB, Version1 goes into details. It describes every layer and every process. CircuitData was launched last year and has over the months evolved as a complete language thanks to feedback from the PCB industry.
“Feedback, discussions, and questions are crucial for the further development of the language. How we describe layers are a good example of this. We started out with one description, discussed this, and decided that instead of using "layer" on only the conductive layers in a stack up, we use it on pretty much everything. A peelable mask would be a layer, so would the legend and of course, the conductive layers,” says Jan Pedersen, Senior Technical Advisor at Elmatica and Chairman of CircuitData.
Important and Helpful New Additions
Another change in the new version is a new section for processes that take the same approach as layers: Every process is described with its function. Profiles and capabilities are totally rewritten. This makes it possible to create, for example, one profile that would be matched against all layers of a certain function.
“Another hot addition to CircuitData is the implementation of the new material database. Talking about this at IPC APEX EXPO was a true eye opener for several industry experts,” says Pedersen.
CircuitData.org offers a database, primarily designed for developers, that will hold material data relevant to printed circuits. The purpose of the database is to present data from different sources having one generic structure compatible with the CircuitData language.
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.