Powerful PCB library tools from IPC to support users of IPC-7351

IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries has teamed up with PCB Libraries, Inc. to provide updated library documentation and more powerful PCB library tools to support users of IPC-7351, Generic Requirements for Surface Mount Design and Land Pattern Standard. IPC-7351B now incorporates the new PCB Libraries Footprint Expert, a land pattern calculation tool that includes a library of more than 5,000 components. This library documentation conforms to the engineering rules established within IPC-7351B. “One of the unique aspects of the Footprint Expert tool is its ability to automatically output land patterns into various CAD formats,” notes Tom Hausherr, founder and CEO of PCB Libraries. The CAD formats Hausherr refers to include: Allegro, OrCAD PCB, OrCAD Layout, CADint, Altium, DesignSpark, Expedition, PADS Layout, CADSTAR, CR-5000, Pantheon, Pulsonix, P-CAD, SoloPCB, Ultiboard, Target 3001!, EAGLE, DipTrace and Board Station. He adds, “I am proud to work with IPC on standards development for the sole purpose of electronic product development automation. We constantly strive for excellence in PCB design and that starts in the CAD library.” John Perry, IPC technical project manager, reflects on the history of IPC’s cooperation with PCB Libraries in the development of software that supports IPC-7351B. “IPC and PCB Libraries have worked together on land pattern ...