PCB DESIGN BEST PRACTICE
Design automation and PCB routing
Design automation best practices include assigning parts to groups/clusters and PCB routing using automation (a combination of interactive, sketch, and automated routing strategies). Also generating manufacturing outputs by utilizing built in automation functionality.
Design automation capabilities
There are many capabilities of design automation including:
Placement
3D component planning and placement provides correct-by-construction design while
considering electro-mechanical constraints.
Clusters/ Groupings / Unions
When components within a respective circuit or set of circuits are assigned to a group. Once a group of components are assigned to a cluster, that cluster can be treated as an individual component during placement.
Interactive PCB routing
Powerful automated PCB routing technology enables extraordinary efficiency during PCB layout. Achieve high completion rates while maintaining quality.
Sketch routing
Sketch routing provides a set of highly automated routing functions
featuring intuitive user control, high quality, and exceptional performance.
Manufacturing output
The automated generation of manufacturing output files. Automation enables the outputs to be consistent from design to design and meet the requirements of your PCB fabricator.
Key features of design automation using Xpedition
Connectivity planning and PCB routing
Automatically unravel complicated net paths and pin escapes to minimize net lengths and quickly and easily identify the best routing strategies.
Auto-assisted interactive sketch routing technology
Sketch routing provides a set of highly integrated automated PCB routing functionalities featuring intuitive user control, high quality, and exceptional performance.
Single, integrated editing environment
Xpedition reduces total design time and increases productivity with a single environment that can be personalized to the way you design.
Hierarchical placement planning and management
Quickly visualize and implement the engineer's design intent to produce an optimal component placement.
True parametric 3D
True parametric 3D mechanical kernel, with 3D constraints, dynamic collision detection, and batch verification. Dynamic validation of electro-mechanical designs delivers error-free results.
Mechanical component import
Easily import mechanical components such as chassis or heatsinks. Or, for true multi-board capability, import sub-assemblies from other PCB designs.
Dive deeper into this topic
Read more about design automation in our design automation blog or listen to our design automation podcast. Read our PCB routing blog for a deep dive into that topic.