CAD-CAM Software For Designing and Making PCBs

Peter Kitson

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Software Overview


Design Tools consists of a suite of integrated software packages developed to provide solutions for designers in many different areas. The PCB elements of the Design Tools Suite are PCB Design and PCB Make. These may be supplied separately as individual packages, though most users will have them supplied together as one integrated package - PCB Design and Make.

PCB Design

This is an easy to use PCB draughting layout and editing program. Its clear and logical interface make it ideal for the inexperienced user, whilst its advanced editing facilities give it the power to tackle very sophisticated circuit board layouts.

PCB Make

This is dedicated PCB manufacturing software. It can produce manufactured outputs to two distinct types of machines, vinyl cutting machines and engraving/milling machines. The output to vinyl cutting machines (eg., Roland CAMM 1, STIKA, etc.), allows the circuit to be “cut” out of Cutronics self-adhesive copper foil. The foil circuits can then easily be transferred to any suitable substrate, eg., card, wood, plastic, etc. This is an ideal quick and cheap way to make simple circuits with relatively large pads and tracks. It also creates interesting new design opportunities. Projects can be created that require no separate circuit board - the circuit could be applied directly to the case, for example. The creation of ‘flexible’ circuits or circuit elements, is now possible.

The output to engraving/milling machines (eg., Roland CAMM 2, CAMM 3, MODELA, etc.), creates a circuit by engraving around each circuit path with a fine point tool onto conventional copper clad PCB board. If suitable tools are available on the machine, the software will also allow the holes to be drilled and the circuit board profile to be milled out. Thus it is possible to take a fully finished board from the machine, drilled and ready to solder up.