VALOR DONATES ODB

VALOR DONATES ODB++ TO THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

Belgium – June 1998 – Valor Computerised Systems NV today announced that it is placing the specification for ODB++, a Valor-developed CAD/CAM data format, into the public domain. ODB++ is a highly intelligent and completely open data format that contains, in one single database, all aspects of PCB design essential to manufacturing success. The format and structure is fully documented and published in various open access areas, including the Internet. Any open-system supplier interested in working with ODB++ can download the format specification from Valor’s website (www.valor.com) and users can view stored information with the free Valor universal viewer (VUV), available upon request via the web.

For many years, designers and manufacturers have been struggling with unsatisfactory methods for data exchange. Gerber is incomplete and too low level for the complexity of data being transferred. EDIF 4 0 0 was defined as a format for data transfer between different CAD systems, and it is in use for this purpose. EDIF does not include items critical to manufacturing.

"We predict that Gerber and similar low-level, graphics-only formats will be replaced by ODB++ as the de facto standard by the year 2000. ODB++ enables the re-integration process and brings full ownership of the manufacturing data back into the hands of the designer, where it has always belonged," said Julian Coates, managing director at Valor Europe.

Electronics OEM design departments and fabricators are already using ODB++ and it is fast becoming the preferred standard in CAD/CAM data exchange.

"OEMs who have adopted ODB++ tell us that they are reducing costly rework iterations, preventing errors occurring in fabrication and shortening time to market," added Coates. "Manufacturers are getting results with ODB++ because pre-production time is reduced, communication with their customers is quicker and fully traceable, and yield is dramatically improved due to more manufacturable data."

ODB++ is gaining a fast hold in the PCB design and manufacturing market. Outputs from leading PCB CAD systems from Cadence, Mentor Graphics, PADS, VeriBest. and Zuken-Redac are already in use.