Let's look at a collaborative design application. As discussed in the first issue of this series of blogs, each person's understanding of design cooperation varies from person to person and can be extended from one area to multiple areas. These different areas include: electronic design (PCB / schematic / library), mechanical design, supply chain, manufacturing, and other areas in the product life cycle. .
The ECAD/MCAD collaboration between the electrical and mechanical design fields is particularly important for the increasingly miniaturization of PCBs, and this has also led to more constraints on printed circuit boards. A well-maintained two-way interface between two domains will be a lot easier for all design projects, and it will also help ensure a complete design cycle. In the long run, the two-way interface will make the product more complete. CAD software has many interface options, but the two most commonly used are the two standards listed below.
Figure 1: The interface capabilities between electrical and mechanical CAD software are particularly important for modern electronic design.
Step (Product Model Data Conversion Standard)
As a true 3D representation of design data, the STEP model can be applied to printed circuit boards, components, mechanical components/housings, and any design files that multiple designers integrate using different projects. It is very important to understand the advantages and limitations of the STEP file in the bidirectional transmission of the project.
| advantage | limit |
| Conforms to the ISO 10303 standard, all design models are consistent and follow the same protocol. | As a common format for data exchange between projects, some features may not be available in specific software. |
| Following a common format, component 3D models provided by component manufacturers can be downloaded. | For complex design features and some additional features (such as traces, silk screens, etc.) can significantly increase the file size. |
| The true 3D format (instead of the pseudo 3D/"2.5D" format) is suitable for complex models with new shapes and bends, such as the folded shape of a hard-and-soft printed circuit board. | Unable to achieve true collaboration, designers need to manually check to ensure that the design data is accurate and updated. |
Under ISO 10303, the two application protocols (APS) for 3D CAD data are: AP203 (old format) and AP214 (new format). For more information on the agreement, please click here.
IDF (Intermediate Data Format)
For several years, IDF has been considered as the standard file format for transferring design data between electrical and mechanical CAD software. In fact, IDF is not 3D, but the so-called "2.5D", which is 2D in ECAD, uses model height information to convert to 3D in MCAD. Of course, this solution does not apply to items that contain complex 3D shapes and may require the export of data related to the mechanical field, such as the folded shape of a hard and soft bonded board.
The IDF is useful for preliminary mechanical clearance checks. Components and board heights are documented and transmitted in documents, but they also have their limitations. If more gap checking or modeling is involved, the component body must be replaced after delivery. This adds additional work and other potential issues to the mechanical designer, such as component body alignment and rotation matching.
Other solutions for electrical/mechanical interfaces
Original ecological 3D PCB editing
Includes ECAD software tools for mechanical design, alignment, layout, and export of 3D mechanical models that can perform multiple tasks in a single software package. AlTIum Designer features include pin-aligned 3D component models, case modeling and gap checking, and standard export of complex PCB features for MCAD interfaces.
ECAD/MCAD Collaboration Tools and Formats
Some third-party tools can provide better collaboration through the above mentioned file formats. With a more reliable design data transmission system, these tools can perform more comprehensive bi-directional design, visualization and conflict resolution, and can be perfectly integrated with the local software interface. Similarly, IDX (Incremental Data eXchange) can provide the supplier file format with the same two-way capability.
Where will the ECAD/MCAD collaboration go?
As most ECAD software comes with 3D editing capabilities, the need for software file transfer solutions is dwindling. Perhaps this trend will also involve the creation and introduction of mechanical data.
Figure 2: Complex electromechanical components, such as: Connecting multiple board designs with flexible cables to facilitate ECAD/MCAD collaboration.
This does not mean that there is no need to support and improve the interface. But it means that the real cooperation between software domains is especially important in the design process. Many complex projects, such as multi-board design and complex electromechanical components, still generally exceed the scope of a single field.
3V Lithium Fluorocarbon Series Batteries
3V Lithium Fluorocarbon Series Batteries use fluorocarbon material as the battery positive electrode. The fluorocarbon material has high thermal and chemical stability. It does not decompose at high temperature ≤600℃, and does not crystallize at low temperature. The battery operating temperature range can reach -40~125℃ ; Its chemical stability ensures the safety of the battery, so that the battery has a higher safety performance when short-circuit, collision, and extrusion, and has the characteristics of explosion-proof and spontaneous combustion. Our company uses self-developed electrolyte to make the battery life more than 10 years.
Our BR series button batteries are conventional high and low temperature resistant button batteries, and the working temperature is -40℃~+85℃
Accepts customized upgraded version of high and low temperature resistant button battery, working temperature is -40℃~ +125℃
Battery application range: It can be used in fields that have strict requirements for high and low temperatures and high energy density. For example, automobile tire pressure gauge (TPMS) battery, industrial control motherboard battery, computer motherboard battery, smart instrument battery, oil field drilling platform emergency equipment power supply, marine life-saving flasher, implantable medical battery, etc.
3V Lithium Fluorocarbon Series Batteries,Cells Coin Cells For Computer Motherboard,Wide Working Temperature Rang Coin Batterise,Coin Cells Long Lasting For Toys
Shandong Huachuang Times Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.dadncell.com