Siemens has introduced PCBflow, an innovative cloud-based software solution that bridges the gap between the electronics design and manufacturing ecosystems. PCBflow is Siemens’ first step toward PCB assembly online solutions which automate the design-to-manufacturing handoff process.
According to Siemens, PCBflow extends its Xcelerator portfolio with a secure environment for printed circuit board (PCB) design teams to interact with various manufacturers. Besides, it also helps them perform a range of design-for-manufacturing (DFM) analyses in the context of each manufacturers’ process capabilities, which allows customers to accelerate design-to-production handoff.
Powered by the industry-leading Valor NPI software engine, which performs over 1,000 DFM checks, PCBflow enables PCB design teams to rapidly identify manufacturability violations. These violations are then sorted and prioritised according to the level of severity, guiding users through images and locations on the design for easy identification and immediate correction.
Dan Hoz, general manager, Valor Division, Siemens Digital Industries Software, said, “PCBflow is the ultimate product-design tool, because it supports comprehensive designer/manufacturer collaboration with a closed-loop feedback mechanism that drives continuous improvement. Because customer designs are in sync with the fab’s capabilities, re-spins can be reduced, time-to-market can be shortened, board quality can be optimised, and yield can be enhanced.”
For manufacturers, PCBflow helps simplify customer on-boarding processes and provides designers with a comprehensive source of knowledge, which can streamline customer/manufacturer collaboration. And thanks to manufacturers’ capabilities being shared electronically, lengthy phone calls and email exchanges can be reduced, helping enable real-time customer communication to focus more on the strategic, high-value discussion.
Engineered for ease of use, PCBflow requires neither training nor prerequisites, and it is accessible from virtually any location, including mobile phones and tablets. Additionally, PCBflow provides designers with images, tool-tips, measurements and precise locations of solderability issues and other PCB design violations.