label: PCB prototype,PCB design,PCB layout
The leading printed circuit board (PCB) prototype solutions provider, has launched the newest version of their PCB design tool, PCB123, which includes two major upgrades to functionality: Tools to create slots & cutouts, and file specific hole sizes.
With the new version 5, PCB123 users can now create plated slots as small as 0.025 and as large as 0.250. Non-plated slots can be in the range of 0.031 to 0.257. The user can now easily set pin properties to include the slot length and can quickly design slots into the PCB layout. A cutout tool has also been added to allow the designer to easily include cutouts in the design. The cutout tool automatically places the cutout on the routing layer so it is easily identified during manufacture. Cutouts can optionally be drawn with a circle or poly-line to create the shape the user needs. Also new are file specific hole sizes. The user can now enter a finished hole size value for plated holes from 0.008 to 0.250 and non-plated holes from 0.0135 to 0.257. This change will help the user route through those tight spaces on 1mm and .8 mm BGAs.
With the newest version of the CAD tool, Sunstone customers will now have even greater confidence in the quality and consistency of their Quickturn PCBs. Design engineers will experience several added benefits from release of the software:
• Reduced board design time
• A solution for oddly shaped components
• Smaller vias now possible on two layer boards
• More exact component fitting for easier assembly
PCB123s inclusion of slots and cutouts, along with file specific drill sizes, is one of those subtle changes that has a very big impact on our customers design creativity, said Sunstones CAD/EDA Marketing Manager, Nolan Johnson. The drill size flexibility allows our customers to prototype with a closer tolerance to the finished production board, increasing overall design accuracy from the beginning. And with slots and cutouts available not only as a part of the board outline, but also as a component in a part footprint definition, our users have the ability to incorporate a much wider selection of components in their designs than ever before. PCB123 users will save valuable time in the layout and design process, build their prototypes faster and ultimately have their finished products more quickly and with less effort.
The new benefits of PCB123 version 5 join a growing list of product features which make the prototyping process even easier and more accurate from project concept to PCB delivery:
• Data sheet availability
• Automated Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Expanded parts libraries
• Seamless synchronization of layout and schematic views
• Optimized graphics
This latest version of PCB123 compliments a growing suite of PCB solutions from Sunstone that includes Bundled Assembly, Slots & Cutouts and Expanded Drill Sizes on Quickturn, SMT Stencils, and ITAR Registration to name a few.
