Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Products

New Products

Free DFM Now! v. 7.4 can analyze Gerber, ODB++, and NC drill files for fabrication and netlist issues beforehand. Offers CAM DFM features; performs DFM and Netlist Check. If design passes, it displays a Success Icon. Now comes in Linux format.

Numerical Innovations, www.dfmnow.com

Sherlock Automated Design Analysis software v. 4.1 now translates shock response spectrum analysis into power spectral density curves. Can reportedly predict random vibration events of electronic hardware precisely. Additional enhancements include an updated package manager, improved analysis capabilities, and a modified user interface. Updated package manager now creates new packages or copies existing packages.

DfR Solutions, www.dfrsolutions.com

ProtoShield sheets are depth-etched with a checkerboard pattern for folding. Can be formed into diverse configurations. Fully functional shields can be created in minutes with a pair of scissors and a straight edge. Are offered in two sizes: standard version has 0.25" squares; metric version has 5mm squares. Are solderable and corrosion-resistant due to nickel silver material. No finishing or plating is necessary. Prototypes can be direct soldered to the board; shield clips can be used for easy mounting.

Tech-Etch, www.tech-etch.com

Flowmaster 1D computational fluid dynamics software v. 7.9.4, for thermo-fluid systems design, features several key new and enhanced functionalities. Multi-arm tank component enables the choice between two distinct heat transfer models: poly-tropic and full heat transfer. Users can easily modify key system parameters and observe the impact immediately and from one place in the software. Persistent "run" dialog provides users direct access to start simulations. Bookmarks feature updates automatically charts upon completion of a design iteration, for comparing the effects of a given modification. Multiple bookmark plots can be used concurrently to create a detailed understanding of the system across multiple iterations. Exports to SST CAEPIPE and Intergraph CAESAR II for pipe stress analysis.

Mentor Graphics, mentor.com/products/mechanical/flowmaster

Microfocus x-ray tube XWT-300-THE Plus is for 3D production testing and measurement. Has 300kV acceleration voltage and 50W target power. Developed for industrial computed tomography and measurement applications. Features internal cooling of transmission target and diamond-based transmission target that delivers intensity at acceleration voltages above 225kV. Permits JIMA resolution of 3µm with voltage range from 50kV to 300kV.

X-ray WorX, www.x-ray-worx.com

CAM350 12.1 provides full support for the revisions of industry standards ODB++ / IPC-2581, including import and export functions. Full support for multi-threading has been implemented into the DFMStream analysis algorithms. Analysis options include trace to anti-pads on adjacent layers to validate 100% ground plane reference, and same net minimal spacing. Analysis for negative planes was expanded to include minimal width and minimal gap between copper elements and anti-pads. Features include enhanced detection for backdrills, laser vias, and global fiducials, and netlist compare for no connect nets. User interface was updated to more current Windows standards. Toolbars and menus have been replaced with function-based ribbons. Commands are readily available from function-specific ribbons. User interface elements can be detached from the application or hidden from view until recalled. Context-sensitive ribbons with object-specific commands and formatting options are presented for a selected item. Application programming interface has new automation options, including running BluePrint silently, a prompt for a selection point, and retrieving geometry details from various BluePrint objects. New milling pattern checking features prevent or analyze a PCB assembly panel design for potential milling errors. Enables milling error prevention mode to create error-free milling patterns based on user-defined criteria. User-defined criteria include mill tab keep-in and keep-out areas and minimal distances between mill tabs and adjacent objects. Milling checks can be performed as a post-process or during PCB assembly panel design process. PCB assembly panel documentation features include panel-specific document variables for use in creating custom dimensions and callouts. New panel-specific dimension styles include panel coordinate dimensions and panel chamfer callouts.

DownStream Technologies, www.downstreamtech.com