CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
27 May 2009
Product News
Zuken Launches CADSTAR ECAD – MCAD Bridge
Zuken is introducing an important new bridging technology to the CADSTAR design suite – CADSTAR BoardModeler Lite. This technology provides an optimized environment for the verification of the PCB layout in its mechanical environment. BoardModeler Lite creates a bridge between the ECAD and MCAD world using the industrial formats which are in common use in the MCAD world, namely ACIS, STEP, and STL format.
Zuken has a considerable array of R&D expertise at its design centres in Japan, Germany and the UK and this technology was initially developed for its high end applications. However Zuken, recognising the needs of the PCB designer working in an ECAD-MCAD environment, has brought BoardModeler Lite into the CADSTAR design suite for use by PCB Designer and Engineer alike.
Through BoardModeler Lite the designer can access and import/export ACIS, STEP, STL during the design process. Visualization, measurement and on-line desing rule checking capabilities allow the electrical design to be checked against the mechanical requirements. This allows the PCB layout to be checked in the earliest stages of the design process. Component placement changes, board outline and height limitation areas are automatically back annotated into the PCB design.
BoardModeler Lite replaces CADSTAR 3D offering an enhanced 3D environment to ensure that the PCB design fits the mechanical product design. This latter feature is a key benefit for products with complex case (housing) designs and limited height or space available for the electrical components.
The designer can undertake on-line collision checks as BoardModeler Lite indicates when the PCB design causes a problem with the imported housing, other PCB boards and other mechanical geometries (such as heatsinks). Using visual overview the designer monitors where problems are occurring. As each new constraint is added or altered the knock on results are shown immediately saving important design and manufacturing time.
BoardModeler Lite is available now. For more information or to locate your local CADSTAR Distributor please visit: http://www.zuken.com/cadstardistributors or http://www.zuken.com/boardmodelerlite
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