CAM Editor Feature Highlights Version (v1.3) Mar 26, 2008 1 One of the essential steps in the development and manufacture of an electronic product is the fabrication of the PCB. Time to market pressures demand that the PCB design is transferred from PCB layout through to fabrication rapidly and error free. To achieve this the fabrication company needs a sophisticated CAD/CAM tool that can load data generated from any PCB layout program, verify the data, panelize and prepare drilling and routing details, and output in the correct film and machine formats. Altium Designer’s CAM Editor (CAMtastic®) provides just such an environment and feature set to meet these requirements. ODB++ Import and Export The primary task of the CAD/CAM engineer is to accurately translate PCB design data into film and NC machine files, ready to fabricate the PCB. While Gerber and NC drill files continue to satisfy the needs of many companies, the increased complexity of PCBs, combined with the need for faster design turn-around has resulted in the emergence of new CAD/CAM data formats. The most popular of these, ODB++, captures all PCB fabrication and assembly data in a single, unified database. Summary This article looks at some of the feature highlights of Altium Designer’s CAM Editor (CAMtastic® ), including ODB++ import and export, advanced panelization and direct export to Altium Designer’s PCB Editor. You can take advantage of ODB++ functionality even if you have assembled your CAM data from other image/drill data, such as Gerber, NC Drill, IPC netlists, or HPGL files. In fact, the CAM Editor will gently nudge you in this direction by massaging imported layer names into an ODB-compliant format, just in case you want to use this technology. This door swings both ways – you may also export any of these traditional formats from data you imported from an ODB++ source. The benefits of ODB++ go far beyond packaging relevant CAM files together; as far as imaging goes, it adds a whole new dimension to your CAM descriptions. Whereas Gerber files contain flash and draw i nstructions in a single list, layer by layer, ODB++ adds the concept of steps, which are like columns alongside each layer row. Once steps are defined, they may be nested within other steps, either as single instances or in arrays. Apertures to Match The CAM Editor supports an extensive set of aperture shapes/types – including all of those supported by ODB++. A single aperture list can hold up to 1000 separate aperture definitions (using D codes D00 to D9999). This range is typically broken down as follows: • D0 – D9: reserved • D10 – D9499: available for aperture definition • D9500 – D9999: typically used for any defined tools. The aperture list also assists you during aperture definition/ modification, showing a preview of the aperture. This lets you see exactly how your aperture will change as you alter X:Y size, rotation or other parameter values. Interactive tool tips in this table will let you see how current values map to each shape’s distinct dimensions. Whenever you import Gerber files into the CAM Editor without embedded aperture definitions, the import wizards will be consulted until a perfect match is found. The CAM Editor provides dozens of these wizards, matching aperture descriptions from both major and minor EDA programs, including both current and legacy formats. These wizards are also fully accessible for editing, should tweaking be required to achieve a perfect transfer of aperture list data. Existing wizards may also be used as templates for new wizards of your own. For more information on apertures, see the CAM Editor Apertures article.