Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1417991
70 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2021 Shaughnessy: What is ODB's value-add for your customers? Stevenson: As long as it's configured correctly at the design end, ODB++ contains needed assembly drawings that aid in the assembly process. Shaughnessy: How would you convince reluc- tant customers to use ODB++? Stevenson: I don't feel its CAM's job to try to convince a customer into changing what they are comfortable with. I would point out there are benefits to the assembly house in using ODB++, but if they are comfortable with what they are using, and we have no manufactur- ing problems with the designs, it works just as well for both of us if they continue with what they are currently using, as long as our CAM soware is able to support it. If they are using something we can't support, then I would defi- nitely recommend they give ODB++ a try for the reasons I've stated. Shaughnessy: Do you believe that ODB++ sim- plifies your process, as compared to other for- mats? Stevenson: From a CAM standpoint, once the data is loaded into our program there is no difference between the formats, so it doesn't affect the process in CAM. Both Ger- ber and ODB++ work equally well for our work here. It does help with there being only a single file to import instead of sometimes multiple raw board files, zips, and other data files—making it difficult to determine which of the many data sets we have been sup- plied we should use in CAM. However there are times when customers include multiple ODB++ files as well so that benefit is reduced in those cases. Shaughnessy: What are the cons of the other two formats, in your opinion? Stevenson: IPC-2581 is not currently sup- ported by either of the two CAM programs we use here, so that is a major con for that one. e only con for the Gerber is there is more work at the CAM end in some instances if the files and drill format are not clearly identified. is causes us to spend more time trying to fig- ure out which layers are which and getting the proper drill import settings, so all the layers are properly aligned. Shaughnessy: Do you have any final thoughts or advice on design data formats? Stevenson: As noted earlier, in CAM the out- puts and processes we go through are basi- cally the same regardless of what file type we received from customer. Part of our job is to standardize the output from hundreds of differ- ent design packages. While there are definitely some things we really like about ODB++, we will continue to support either file type the customer feels comfortable supplying to us. ODB++ is just as problematic as Gerber for CAM if the correct settings and design outputs are not selected by the designer. If customers are more familiar with one or the other and output a quality data set that gives them what they need, then it makes more sense to have them continue supplying the data type they have been using. From our partnerships with assembly manu- facturers, we see that there are many advan- tages to the ODB++ format within the total supply chain from design through assembly. is "smart" data can flow more seamlessly into their manufacturing process and require much less manual intervention in the set up and processing. Shaughnessy: anks for your input, Matt. Stevenson: ank you, Andy. DESIGN007