Tom
06-19-2002, 01:25 PM
NEMI Data Exchange Convergence Project
Dieter Bergman – IPC
Chuck Feingold – Valor
Jim McElroy- NEMI
IPC has a long history of focusing on the data exchange problem
Educating the industry about advantages of replacing Gerber for more than 30 years...
IPC D350 standard released in the ’70’s
IPC D356 BBT released in late ’80’s
GenCAM development started by DTS’97 committee in 1997
Valor has been developing ODB++ format, tools, and educating customers for the past 5 years
ODB format and Genesis 2000 CAM software for bare board fabrication in 1995
ODB++ format and Enterprise 3000 DFM software released in 1997, adding component descriptions.
ODB++ format extended again with BOM/AVL information for Trilogy 5000 CAM for Assembly in 1999.
ODB++(X) XML-based format released in 2000.
All major EDA tools have ODB++ interfaces today as well as over 20 third party software vendors.
Where is the industry now with data standards?
In spite of Valor and IPC efforts, the majority of the Industry is still using Gerber-based data exchange and treating the subject with indifference despite the costs they incur.
Industry press has created an image of competition between the IPC and Valor, dubbing it the “Data Format Wars”.
Some parties remain on the sidelines seeing who will “WIN” the war.
Meanwhile, inadequacies of current methods continue to hurt the PCB industry.
Vision Statement
The IPC and Valor agree to best serve the needs of the PCB industry, both parties will submit their data exchange formats, GenCAMX and ODB++(X), to the NEMI VFIIP committee for the purpose of convergence into a single XML-based industry standard.
Goals and Objectives
Eliminate the use of Gerber and related old, non-intelligent formats for data exchange.
Unite IPC/NEMI/Valor behind a single Industry standard for data exchange.
Make the new standard XML compliant.
Combine the best of both ODB++(X) from Valor and GenCAMX from IPC.
Focus on providing solutions as well as standards.
Formalize the converged standard using ANSI procedures.
NEMI Recommendations for Intelligent Data Exchange
Today’s methods for design to mfg. data exchange rely on outdated, inefficient, and nonstandard techniques:
- Many are still using Gerber format.
- Surrounded by an assortment of “roll your own” information structures.
Progress has been made by two major initiatives:
- IPC’s GenCAM
- Valor’s ODB++
However, Industry adoption has been anemic for both
The cost to Industry of sticking to status quo is Significant!
Convergence Project Objectives
Develop Technical Recommendation for CAD/CAM data exchange format geared towards:
- Wide adoption
- Timely deployment
Build on strengths of current solutions:
- GenCAM
- ODB++
Encourage early adoption & implementation thru tool development, demonstrations, and partnerships with other consortia/industry groups.
Dieter Bergman – IPC
Chuck Feingold – Valor
Jim McElroy- NEMI
IPC has a long history of focusing on the data exchange problem
Educating the industry about advantages of replacing Gerber for more than 30 years...
IPC D350 standard released in the ’70’s
IPC D356 BBT released in late ’80’s
GenCAM development started by DTS’97 committee in 1997
Valor has been developing ODB++ format, tools, and educating customers for the past 5 years
ODB format and Genesis 2000 CAM software for bare board fabrication in 1995
ODB++ format and Enterprise 3000 DFM software released in 1997, adding component descriptions.
ODB++ format extended again with BOM/AVL information for Trilogy 5000 CAM for Assembly in 1999.
ODB++(X) XML-based format released in 2000.
All major EDA tools have ODB++ interfaces today as well as over 20 third party software vendors.
Where is the industry now with data standards?
In spite of Valor and IPC efforts, the majority of the Industry is still using Gerber-based data exchange and treating the subject with indifference despite the costs they incur.
Industry press has created an image of competition between the IPC and Valor, dubbing it the “Data Format Wars”.
Some parties remain on the sidelines seeing who will “WIN” the war.
Meanwhile, inadequacies of current methods continue to hurt the PCB industry.
Vision Statement
The IPC and Valor agree to best serve the needs of the PCB industry, both parties will submit their data exchange formats, GenCAMX and ODB++(X), to the NEMI VFIIP committee for the purpose of convergence into a single XML-based industry standard.
Goals and Objectives
Eliminate the use of Gerber and related old, non-intelligent formats for data exchange.
Unite IPC/NEMI/Valor behind a single Industry standard for data exchange.
Make the new standard XML compliant.
Combine the best of both ODB++(X) from Valor and GenCAMX from IPC.
Focus on providing solutions as well as standards.
Formalize the converged standard using ANSI procedures.
NEMI Recommendations for Intelligent Data Exchange
Today’s methods for design to mfg. data exchange rely on outdated, inefficient, and nonstandard techniques:
- Many are still using Gerber format.
- Surrounded by an assortment of “roll your own” information structures.
Progress has been made by two major initiatives:
- IPC’s GenCAM
- Valor’s ODB++
However, Industry adoption has been anemic for both
The cost to Industry of sticking to status quo is Significant!
Convergence Project Objectives
Develop Technical Recommendation for CAD/CAM data exchange format geared towards:
- Wide adoption
- Timely deployment
Build on strengths of current solutions:
- GenCAM
- ODB++
Encourage early adoption & implementation thru tool development, demonstrations, and partnerships with other consortia/industry groups.