Product category:
Design and Development Software
News Release from: Zuken | Subject: Cadstar 3D 4.2
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 12 February 2003
Verification tool links 2 and 3D worlds
Cadstar 3D 4.2 is a faster, updated version of Zuken's proven 3D verification module that allows complex board outlines to be directly imported and exported from mechanical CAD tools.
Cadstar 3D 4.2 is a faster, updated version of Zuken's proven 3D verification module that allows complex board outlines to be directly imported and exported from mechanical CAD tools and transferred to the company's Cadstar 6.0 PCB design tool suite Cadstar 3D is a verification tool that links the 2D PCB design world with the 3D mechanical design-engineering environment
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 6 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Cut-down design software goes web freeware
Cadstar Express is a free web download of Zuken's industry-standard PCB design solution, Cadstar 5.0.
3D package adds extra dimension to PCB design
Zuken has released Cadstar 3D, a novel desktop solution for combined 3D validation of electrical and mechanical designs.
This removes the need for an IDF file as the design information is directly compatible between the two design environments.
Design rule checks within the tool identify potential collisions between any and all objects on the PCB, and between the PCB and enclosure.
This eliminates the need for physical prototypes by delivering accurate verification of the PCB within its enclosure.
Further reading
Dedicated design for radial PCBs
Cadstar Radial Design is a single-environment solution for the design of radial PCBs, based on Zuken's Cadstar suite of PCB design tools and the company's high speed Route Editor.
PCB CAD parts library saves reinventing wheels
Zuken has made the Cadstar parts library for PCB design solution available online, enabling designers to access symbols, footprints and parts information instantly from any location.
Design time is reduced significantly.
Other features that have been added to Cadstar 3D include the ability to reload the component geometries, the capability to import/export a solid board outline showing the component pin holes, and a design browser dialogue.
The new version also allows engineers to change the design units and to use different clearance values for keep-out areas.
The need for 3D capabilities within EDA tools is being driven by product miniaturisation.
Engineering teams building compact consumer products such as cellular phones and MP3 players require complex enclosures and mouldings to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Balancing the two presents PCB and mechanical design teams with considerable challenges in making boards fit into these enclosures.
Cadstar 3D 4.2 is more than simply a 3D viewer.
In addition to allowing board outlines to be imported, it can import 3D models of components and enclosures and then provide back annotation of changes into the Cadstar PCB environment.
Once imported into the PCB Design, the 3D models of the components and enclosures are updated through back annotations of changes to the design.
This means that when components are moved in the mechanical CAD tool, to clear collisions for example, the same change is automatically made in Cadstar in Step AP203, ACIS, STL or SAT formats.
Back annotation therefore prevents different data from being held in the mechanical and PCB tools and reduces design effort.
The ability to import 3D models of components into Cadstar 6.0, in Cadif format, ensures accurate verification of the PCB design, even when components are placed on top of each other.
Commenting on the new capabilities of Cadstar 3D, Product Manager Andy McAvan, said: "This tool not only delivers substantial time-to-market advantage because there is no longer any need for physical models, it also helps improve product quality by ensuring total consistency of data between mechanical CAD and PCB design environments.
We know of no other company or product that can offer this at present".
CADSTAR 3D 4.2 is available now. Request a free brochure from Zuken ...
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