EMA Automates 3D STEP Models

By DE Editors

EMA Design Automation (EDA) announced EMA EDABuilder 3.0 with 3D STEP model automation.

"Engineering models represent a constant challenge for PCB designers," said Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA. "EDABuilder introduces an innovative approach for automating the complete library process flow. Starting with the data sheet and the industry's most advanced PDF data sheet extraction, schematic symbols and PCB footprints are created in a fraction of the time. With the introduction of the 3D STEP modeling and automation of the mechanical models, EDABuilder provides a complete library automation solution."

According to the company, this approach enables customers to take advantage of a "single data sheet input source" for both automation and verification between the mechanical and electrical models. PCB footprint automation is supported across the full range of component families, including 100 percent of surface mount parts defined in IPC-7351 as well as commonly used through-hole parts, and all have 3D model generation capabilities.

The process, driven by rules, settings, and forms entered component dimensioning, builds both PCB footprints and the 3D STEP models in a consistent and repetitive process, the company says. Users enter the PCB component dimensioning using the IPC-7351 or recommended manufacturer dimensioning. The mechanical dimensioning is entered on the same forms and displayed on both the front and side mechanical views.

Mapping and scaling is performed automatically based on the component type to an embedded 3D template. The 3D STEP models can be imported directly into the mechanical design tools, where additional details, graphics, or corporate styles may be applied. They may also be exported directly into Cadence Allegro and OrCAD PCB Editors with origins, offsets, and alignments automatically assigned.

For more information, visit EMA Design Automation.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.