MARLBOROUGH, MA – DownStream Technologies LLC has announced the availability of BluePrint-PCB Viewer application as a free web download. BluePrint-PCB reportedly allows users to easily create a comprehensive PCB release package. According to a news release, this new initiative is designed to provide easier distribution of that critical information to a variety of audiences.
“The adoption of BluePrint-PCB as the new standard for creating comprehensive PCB documentation has been outstanding,” said Rick Almeida, one of DownStream’s founders. “By making the Viewer Application a free web download makes it even easier to integrate BluePrint into the PCB Release process.”
BluePrint-PCB supports three free Viewers including:
• BluePrint-PCB Viewer Application (standard)
• BluePrint-PCB HTML Viewer – allows documentation packages to be exported into HTML and viewed using an Active X component inside of Microsoft Internet Explorer
• BluePrint-PCB Pack and Release Viewer – allows users to control the amount of time a document release package may be viewed by a third party
All BluePrint Viewers support the hyperlinking functions that link details to notes and callouts as well as URLs, e-mail addresses, audio, video and other electronic files. BluePrint-PCB Viewer can view and query the native CAD data that had been imported into BluePrint to create the documents. In addition, the Viewers contain a search function that scans all documents to show “all instances and “locations” of specific components, details or text strings.
ELKTON, MD – W. L. Gore & Associates introduces FireWire High-Flex Round and Flat Cable Assemblies. Their ideal use is to prevent lost data or data integrity issues.
According to Gore, most FireWire cables on the market today are designed for static environments. When put in motion environments, they fail to meet the IEEE1394 electrical specifications. Additionally, the attenuation increases significantly when these cables are flexed. FireWire High-Flex Cable Assemblies are reported to maintain stable attenuation over the flex life. They are designed to meet demands associated with motion control and vision systems.
The assemblies are said to be available with quick lead times. The following lengths are available: 2 m, 3 m, 4.5 m and 7.7 m. Gore also offers the ability to customize a FireWire cable assembly to meet specific application requirements.
SANTA CLARA, CA – Agilent Technologies Inc. released the newest version of its GENESYS RF and Microwave Design software, GENESYS 2006.10.
The software’s RF system architect now supports phase noise as well as non-50-ohm impedances, sub-circuits and many sophisticated models such as mixers with spur tables and analog-to-digital converters. The HARBEC simulator is reportedly faster, better performing and more accurate than in the previous release.
GENESYS 2006.10 is also said to include faster simulations; better linear analysis; model improvements to MCURV, MIDCAP, AIRIND2, Stripline bend, MCR and Stripline tee; new ConvertToQrtrGrid script; and substrate sets in designs.
MINNEAPOLIS – Minco has created a new Flex Circuits Design Guide, which, when used in conjunction with IPC design standards, provides the necessary information to successfully design flexible circuits.
Demands from manufacturers for smaller and lighter applications are bringing flexible circuits to the forefront as a viable way of meeting these goals.
"Flexible circuits offer compact, low mass packaging that can reduce space and weight by up to 75%," said Mark Finstad, principal applications engineer for the Flex Circuit Division of Minco and Chairman of IPC-2223 Workgroup. "Due to limited education available in the industry, engineers are only just beginning to learn the new ways that flexible circuits can be integrated into their designs."
Minco's Flex Circuits Design Guide includes design guidelines, specifications, detailed illustrations and instructions on how to build a flex circuit mock-up. It offers recommendations on how to design flex circuits to optimally fit applications while providing superior electrical interconnection. The guide also provides a tutorial on different types of flex circuits, including rigid-flex and flex-coils.
DNEPROPETROVSK, Ukraine – Novarm Ltd. has released DipTrace 1.30, ECAD software bundled with 4 Novarm's front-end modules – schematic, PCB layout, pattern editor and component editor. Among its new features are improved color settings, part rotation by a desired angle, static vias placement, Electra autorouter support and enhanced manual routing tools.
DipTrace 1.30 supports ConnectEDA Electra autorouter. A three-step high-quality routing is available now with Electra autorouter where users can export an unrouted board into .dsn file, route it with Electra and import it back into DipTrace.
A series of handy hotkeys, trace length measurement tool, locking objects and more new features have been added. The new version also includes netlist support of widely used formats.
GARBSEN, Germany – LPKF Laser & Electronics AG has released LPKF ProtoMat S42 circuit board plotter, an entry-level circuit board plotter for in-house rapid PCB prototyping. This compact system is said to provide precision and performance for quick and easy milling and drilling of single-sided and double-sided circuit board prototypes in a single day.
The ProtoMat S42 was designed for colleges and technical institutions, allowing students and instructors to produce PCBs that are production quality and chemical free, immediately in the classroom environment. Easy handling can be increased with the addition of an optional fiducial recognition camera, as well as a vacuum table.
