Samtec has greatly expanded its offering of pre-generated, downloadable PCB CAD footprint files, intended to save designers hours of tedious yet critical effort.
In many applications, these libraries allow true cut and paste application of package outline, text, and recommended solder pad data. At a minimum, they provide the designer with a significant head start in library generation by providing critical component information in an easily customisable format.
Full library parts contain schematic symbol data associated with the package footprint information. Such information speeds schematic-capture-based design flow and is critical for schematic circuit checking, BOM (bill of material) generation, and automated board test and simulation. Dynamic linking of footprint and schematic data allows changes in either to be made and compared on the fly. Full parts allow gate and pin mapping and swapping, making complex parts such as array connectors much easier to use.
In addition to saving hours of design effort, these libraries add an extra measure of protection by assuring accurate connector pad, hole and mounting feature dimensions and locations. For optimal mechanical and electrical performance, connector pad designs often deviate from standard IPC designs. Typically, these critical dimensions are communicated to the PCB designer through traditional print drawings and data sheets. The designer must manually transfer this information from the data sheet into the footprint they are creating. The slightest error in this process can lead to major headaches when boards are fabricated and components are placed. With Samtec library parts, this critical translation is already completed, with the resulting footprint files checked against a known, good connector print.
These libraries feature a complete part file incorporating footprint, schematic symbol, attributes, pin mapping/swapping, gate mapping/swapping and alphanumeric pin names in a PADs format. Additionally, Samtec has joined forces with PCB Libraries, a CAD library management solutions provider, to offer IPC-compliant PCB footprints in 18 file types: Allegro v15.2, Allegro v15.7, Altium Designer v6, ASCII, Board Station, CAD Design Software, CADSTAR, Eagle, Expidition, NI Ultiboard, OrCAD Layout, OrCAD PCB Editor v15.7, P-CAD, PADs, Pantheon, Protel 99SE, Pulsonix and Zuken CR5000.
Samtec's complete connector PCB and footprint libraries are available for almost any standard product in the company's catalogue and are provided free-of-charge at http://www.samtec.com/CADLibrary.
For more information contact Samtec, +27 (0)11 454 4317, [email protected], www.samtec.com
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