Manufacturing Test

FABmaster
CAD Conversion Software

Software integration of
design and test to reduce
fixture and program
time-to-market

The Design Process systems. The link is an integrated software below)

- FABmaster Graphics Engine
The vast majority of today's Printed solution converting and manipulating data - Job Screen
Circuit Boards (PCBs) are designed on a for use by each element of the process. - ASCII Text Editor
Computer Aided Design (CAD) workstation. The market leader in this sector is - Attribute Library Management
This approach offers a number of FABmasterTM, based in France. IFR use a - HPGL Plot File Output
- Bed of Nails Fixture Design
significant benefits, for instance the ability dedicated version of the software to link to - IFR .CB Output Processor
to simulate the design and analyse a board various CAD systems and convert data into
layout for any potential conflicts. The result a format suitable for the range of CAD Input Processors
ACADEMI
is that design cycle times have been Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). This data CADENCE ALLEGRO
reduced with a corresponding increase in format is then taken by IFR's Computer CADES-G
quality. Assisted Program Generation Software CADNETIX Versions E & F
There are now upwards of thirty different (CAPG) to produce the fixtures and CADSTAR for Windows
CALAY V04
CAD packages in use within the electronics programs required by the ATEs. CASE VANGUARD
industry, with a matching number of CAD This combination of software offers a COMPUTERVISION AUTOBOARD/THEDA
formats in which data is stored. number of significant improvements over DDE ECAD (IPL format)
DEDALE
previous methods. Firstly, it is quicker,
Manufacturing Links achieving a lower time-to-market.
DIF (Clink)
The CAD files used to describe the DOCICA (Alcatel)
Secondly, it is accurate. IFR FABmaster ENCORE PCB (Xynetix)
design are essential within the ensures that the data used to manufacture GENCAD (Mitron)
manufacturing process. Each of these the board is the same data as that used for
H.P. PCDS
processes typically requires a subset of the I.B.M. CBDS Version 4
testing. By improving both time-to-market I.B.M. CBDS Version 5
data held within the CAD files, from basic and quality, test costs are reduced and the INTERGRAPH AT Designer (EIF)
board layout through to component effectiveness of the ATE platform is MENTOR
selection and placement. improved.
ORCAD (DOS)
The test process is no exception. ORCAD (Windows)
PADS
InCircuit and Manufacturing Defects FABmaster Extensions P-CAD PDIF
Analysers test each component in turn, The basic IFR FABmaster software can PRISMA
taking measurements against a nominal be extended to support other elements of PROTEL
REDAC - Cadstar (CDI), Maxi & Redboard
value or truth table. Computer Aided Repair the manufacturing process. The time-to- SCICARDS
uses a graphical representation of the market and quality benefits that FABmaster THEDA - Incases
board to identify component failures. All of brings to the creation of ATE fixtures and TOPCAD
the information regarding the type and programs are also relevant to surface ULTIBOARD
UNICAD
value of each component, the connectivity mount and automated placement systems. VERIBEST (FATF)
and the physical location is contained VISULA (CADIF)
within the CAD file. The key is accessing VUTRAX
the data.
Specification ZUKEN CR 3000

Other Options
The IFR Solution for Test Core IFR Package
Given that there are over thirty different IFR .CB FABmaster Station for Windows MRP/BOM Input Setup
CAD systems in common use today, it is (requires Windows 95, NT or 3.1 with Win32 HPGL Schematics Viewer
difficult for each platform within the extension) IFR INCITE Output Processor
production process to accept the ever Includes :
changing formats outputed by these - 1 CAD Input Processor (must be specified from list

http://www.ifrinternational.com FABmaster 1
 FABmaster

IFR Americas, Inc., 10200 West York Street, Wichita, Kansas IFR Ltd, Longacres House, Norton Green Road, Stevenage, Herts
67215-8999, USA. E-mail: info@ifrsys.com SG1 2BA, United Kingdom. E-mail: info@ifrinternational.co.uk
Tel: +1 316 522 4981 Toll Free USA: 1 800 835 2352 Fax: +1 316 522 1360 Tel: +44 (0) 1438 742200 Freephone UK: 0800 282 388 Fax: +44 (0) 1438 727601
As we are always seeking to improve our products, the information in this document gives only a general indication of the product capacity, performance and suitability, none of which shall form part of any
contract. We reserve the right to make design changes without notice. All trademarks are acknowledged. Parent Company IFR Systems, Inc. © IFR Ltd. 1999.

http://www.ifrinternational.com
Part no. 46891-080
2 Product No. Revision A