VALOR program "useful or useless"

[dauria]

Hello to everybody,
Is there some one that use this tool , to reduce problems for pcb layout productivity ??
I like some impression about it .

site "www.valor.com"


Thanks for all information

Mauro D'Auria

[phillipr]

Mauro

We looked at it but its so expensive.
The idea behind it is to output odb++
(odb++ was rumoured to replace Gerber but alot of uncertainty surround it in its current format.)
You manufacturer can give you there rule set they check there Gerber to and you can run this check at your end.
in theory this would reduce your cost as it will run through there front-end allot quicker.

I don't use the tool so someone can correct any inaccuracies

Phillip Restall

[Tom]

Mauro,

I would like to explain what's going on in the industry regarding ODB++, GenCAM and OffSpring.

Valor owns ODB++
IPC owns GenCAM
OffSpring is the data convergence software code that takes the best of ODB++ and GenCAM for the purpose of a neutral CAD database format. OffSpring is written in XML format.

In the past there has been PDIF & EDIF to name a few, but these never were globally adopted. The OffSpring Source Code will be made available to the entire electronics community this September. This will make it easy for 3rd party developers to create new tools that will enhance and improve the tools we already own. Of course the CAD vendors will have to buy into this and create OffSpring import / export files. I have good reasons why they should all do this, but we'll see.

The Valor Genesis and Enterprise tools that import and export ODB++, will rule the PCB fabrication industry and ODB++ will become the world standard and will replace Gerber Data.

CAM350 does an excellent job at producing ODB++ data and it's only a $3K option. Very cheap compared to Valor’s tools. I personally only provide ODB++ data to all our manufacturers. We quit creating Gerber data over a year ago. We have the CAM350 ODB++ option and full instructions on how to produce it. CAM350 also performs all the other functions that Valor does; only it takes a little longer (but it's mostly CPU time, not human labor). You can download a free Valor ODB++ viewer from http://www.valor.com.

OffSpring data (Created by IPC) will be used for CAD libraries and PCB assembly. OffSpring will drive all of the pick and place machines with intelligent data. So it's important that the CAD vendors have the OffSpring export capability for assembly automation.

[Ray from NJ]

Valor is an over priced kluge of a tool that runs a bunch of script files on an ODB++ data file. I have used it on my designs from Mentor Expedition (Veribest). In my opinoin, proper tweeking of
the Mentor DRC rules matrix would yield the same results and save you a whopping $50K (plus maintenance.)
I would typically waste a good 4 hours or so per design iteration trying to process a large database only to run into file size limitatations (hence the reason for non-functional pad removal before process) and thousands of errors that just did not exist. The only remotely useful part of the tool was it's ability to pick up some net list errors that a Mentor route spacing violation rule would occasionaly miss.
If your Assembly or Fabricator requests ODB++ files, use CAM350
and save your company some cash.

[diamond D]

Hate to say it but Yes Valor is expensive, although considering how many hackers there are out there and some of thier design training. It is a very valuable tool...I've been using it for the last 7 years and have only seen one person in a group of 150 designers had to ever buy a board due to manufacturing issues. This was in a service enviroment were we kicked out over 30,000 designs a year. With good libraries and design rules you cover 80% of the things Valor checks. The other 20% are items that you either get called on from the boardshop or things they tweak without your knowledge.
You don't really need the Assembly module but the manufacturing module is great and it avoids those late night phone calls on the 24 hour turn. The data can truly stand on its own like it should.
We have been running all host platforms through this as an EDA import. Only time I've ever sent Gerber out in 7 years is for overseas manufacturing or as a reference check. Gerber is dying...
IMHO

Diamond D