HOUSTON, TX and CONCORD, MA - Innova and Solidworks have teamed to produce CircuitWorks software, allowing mechanical engineers to combine data generated by PCB design systems such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro and Orcad with the SolidWorks 3D MCAD system.

The company reports that the CircuitWorks software reads the IDF 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and PADS file formats used by many ECAD systems and the data can then be used to build 3D models in SolidWorks. PCBs and components can also be modeled in SolidWorks and exported back to an ECAD system. The software also reportedly provides a library of modeled electronic parts that include connectors, LED’s, capacitors and chip holders.

"This is probably the first time that both the electronics and the mechanical enclosure have been able to be modeled in 3D simultaneously. The commercial benefits of this type of technology are considerable," said Mark Bradford, Managing Director of Innova Systems.

CircuitWorks uses the information in IDF or PADS ASCII files to produce a 3D SolidWorks assembly of a PCB and its components. Users can check for any potential problems between the PCB and its surroundings. The PCB shape or component position can then be altered and the resulting changes saved for use with the ECAD system.

Innova Systems will be exhibiting and demonstrating the CircuitWorks software at this year's Embedded Masterclass, at the UK Technology Developer's Conference on May 8th and 13th, in London and Bristol, U.K. The Embedded Masterclass is free to engineers and technology managers.