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Altium Designer is known for it's strength as a PCB design tool, first on Windows, and first with true 3D editing and collision detection. This presentation from 2011 highlights the main method now used for working with mechanical design tools and PCB design in Altium Designer.
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Achieving MCAD and ECAD Integration
2Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
What exactly does this mean?
All Electronics Product Designs, have to fit into some kind of form factor
Increasing complexity of these form factors
Traditional interchange formats increase the difficulty as these form factors increase in complexity.
Fit or Multi-dimensional checking, is a necessity
This interchange needs to be done in Real time
3Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
Traditional ECAD-MCAD Integration
Getting the electronics to fit into the mechanical enclosure has traditionally been a laborious painful iterative process.
ECAD and MCAD design data transfer has traditionally been addressed by the use of common file formats that pass basic dimensional information between the design applications in each domain:
Data translation errors are frequent due to limitations and inconsistencies in the exchange format itself (i.e. resolution settings, version, etc…).
Many companies have an archaic ECAD-MCAD methodology in place and typically welcome any new ideas/capabilities
•DWG - AutoCAD Native Binary Format
•DXF - Drawing Exchange Format by Autodesk
•IDF - Printed Circuit Board Data Exchange File
•IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification; ASME Y14.26M
•STEP - Standard for the Exchange of Product model data; ISO 10303
Mechanical Design Tool3D Component Model
PCB Footprint Model
PCB Design Tool
DXF/DWG/IDF Input
DXF/DWG/IDF Output
4Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
Inherent Problems
2D formats DXF, DWG, and IDF do not support complex features
Height information may not available and is typically entered manually
Correlation of 3D data may be required
Interference checking typically a lengthy painful iterative process (manual) between mechanical designers and electrical designers
5Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
A New ECAD-MCAD Integration Method
What’s needed is the ability to design and position correctly-sized objects in both domains to ensure the overall design fits together as intended.
The ECAD design domain must be able to check the integration of PCB design with the mechanical design elements
Integrating the MCAD world in a non-proprietary way with ECAD design through the STEP format.
Bring the mechanical assemblies or case designs from the MCAD system directly into PCB design/layout process.
PCB Design (Altium Designer)
STEP 3D Component
Model
PCB Footprint Model
Mechanical Design Tool
STEP Output
STEP Input
6Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
Unifying ECAD and MCAD in the EDA tool
Provide a direct link to external STEP models – a robust, data-rich 3D file format supported all major MCAD software systems
Enable dynamic or live clearance and mechanical (multi-dimensional) fit rule checking
Enable detection of updates to the source STEP models, providing a dynamic link between the electronic and mechanical domains
Multiple boards should be represented by STEP model assemblies
PCB mechanical structures should be created by this same universal format
7Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
STEP Import and Export
STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data)
– Support for STEP AP203 and STEP AP214
Import and embed a STEP model file into a footprint
Import, embed, or link, a STEP model files of the PCB enclosure
Import a STEP model file to create a board shape
Export a STEP model of the PCB or entire assembly
•AP203 - Configuration controls 3D designs of mechanical parts and assemblies
•AP214 - Core data for automotive mechanical design processes
•AP214 and 203 in the area of 3D mechanical design for electro/electronic-mechanical products
•AP214 took over all of the functionality of the earlier AP203 edition and then extending the capabilities significantly
8Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
3D Rule Checking
Component Clearance Rule
Free-Floating 3D Body Clearance Rule
3-D Body Infinite Clearance Rule
Rule Priorities
Live and Batch Rule Checking
Real Time checking between multiple board assemblies
9Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
Benefits
Results in a significant reduction in the number of design iterations necessary to fully verify mechanical and electrical constraints have been met
Relies on a widely accepted standard format; Not Sticky
Enables early verification of PCB component clearance directly against the real enclosure design
Enables direct DRC feedback during board layout, component placement and even component package choice to suit the proposed enclosure design
Competitive Position
Let’s just look at some quotes from the Mentor PADs forum:“I made 2 ideas toward STEP
- 3D Functionality of Decals / PCB and 3D import in PADS (June 2008; under consideration)
- 3D with PADS: more functionality (July 2009: received)…
Altium does a good job (STEP import / export, support of 3D Space Mouse, ...) and i hope that PADS will have soon the same or even more functionality (collision detection, min. distance from Housing to Components or Traces, ...)”
- Mentor user, May 2011
10Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
Competitive Position
Let’s just look at some quotes from the Cadence forum:“Our company has transitioned tools from Altium to Cadence and one of the
features we have lost with Cadence is the ability to export the board outline to our mechanical engineers in a STEP format.
1. Is there a way of exporting this from Allegro PCB?
2. Do you have to buy some costly third party SW to do this? (I am already taking heat for the cost of Cadence versus Altium)”
- Cadence user, Aug 2010
11Copyright © 2012 Altium Limited
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