IPC Releases IPC-7351 library generation tools

IPC, in conjunction with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and world electronics industry standard groups, have released library generation tools in support of the forthcoming IPC-7351, Generic Requirements for Surface Mount Design and Land Pattern Standard, for CAD land pattern. Consisting of a powerful array of calculator and viewer tools developed between IPC and PCB Libraries, the IPC-7351 library generation tool set introduces the following for CAD libraries: An intelligent land pattern naming convention, which will aid in the standardization of electronic schematic symbols for engineering, zero component rotations to allow CAD land patterns to be built with the same rotation for the purpose of assembly machine automation, and three new application-specific land pattern geometry variations that support various levels of product complexity. It also features a placement courtyard excess that has been redefined to accommodate the three land pattern geometry variations, clear definitions for silkscreen and polarity marking sizes, copper to ink clearances and locations, land pattern origins to aid pick and place machine automation, and new 3D modelling for mechanical verification using maximum component outlines and maximum component height. "It’s no surprise that many large firms spend millions of dollars creating and implementing their own proprietary standards for their own electronic product development automation, standards not openly shared with the rest of the industry," noted John Perry, IPC’s technical project manager. "These library generation tools, which support the forthcoming IPC-7351, will aid in the elimination of massive duplication of effort that costs our industry millions of unnecessary man hours by introducing a new standard that will allow electronic firms to benefit from electronic product development automation." Source: PCBnewsline