Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/661282
32 SMT Magazine • April 2016 from the previous one because the nature of the source Gerber file. With Valor Stencil Design, the intelligent design data set assigns each component with a repeatable footprint name that can be used on future stencil designs, even from different de- sign centers. Resizing algorithms can be applied to existing shapes, new apertures can be built with standard symbols, or complex apertures can be created to assign the correct aperture for each location that needs paste. Rules are add- ed for each footprint, or if necessary for each unique part number that is placed on each foot- print, which can be reused on future designs and are then applied to all occurrences across both sides of the board. As complete intelligent design data is being used for the stencil design, the engineer can see how the copper pad, VPL pin, and stencil aperture will all align in a vir- tual world before committing to the stencil. When the stencil is complete, it is output for delivery to the stencil vendor who creates and delivers the final screen. SMT process Definition In the process preparation work flow, each of these processes is now founded on a central consistent known good product data model. This common data model can be used in many different ways. The first key challenge of SMT programming is to understand the capability of the machines. There are so many different machine platforms, types, models and variants from many different suppliers, each designed to bring slightly different advantages. These ma- chines operate also use many different software platforms. It can be quite a challenge to effec- tively distribute the placement workload over the different machines in a line. Often compro- mises and assumptions are made to make the bEsT-PracTicE ProcEss PrEParaTion for Pcb assEmblY Figure 7: Valor Process Preparation can quickly and easily create stencils using the same product data set.