CCA/PCB Detailing in Creo

[avillanueva]

We are currently looking to enhance out processes in the MCAD/ECAD arena.  Currently, we have ECAD designs (CCA and PCBs) managed as WTDocuments. It has worked well for a long time. I am looking at the WGM for Cadence but I have a question about detailing. Where do most people detail their CCA and PCB drawings?  Has anyone taken the step to do all of their detailing in Creo?

This is what I am looking at.  Traditional design takes place in Allegro. Where we would normally have exported that information to AutoCAD for detailing, it would be done in Creo.  The WTDocument held all the content before (Allegro data, AutoCAD drawing, PDF and ODB++) via primary content and attachments.  In the new model, the IDX file creates the 3D model which is shown on the drawing along with and DXF exports from Allegro for fine detailing.  The Allegro design and ODB++ data can be archived as attachments to the Cad Document. I am not an EE so please excuse my over-simplification.

Thoughts? Would this approach be compatible with an eventual switch to a WGM integration?

[DavidBrand]

I am very interested in how you are controlling PCB data in Windchill. Would you be able to provide a flow chart or similar of the process you use. Below is a condensed version of what I have proposed to use.

General Workflow That Utilises Pro/ECAD

1. Electronics Engineer creates Electronics Schematic, etc. in ORCAD.

2. Mechanical Engineer creates a 3D PCB assembly in Creo (i.e. AS71090) consisting of a

PCB board (i.e. CB71090).

3. Mounting features and Keepin/Keepout areas are created inside the PCB board part using

the Creo Keepin/Keepout features.

4. Connectors and components of interest (from the ECAD library) are placed on the PCB

board.

5. Create a 2D drawing (CB71090), using the 3D PCB assembly (AS71090) as the working

model, showing keepout/keeping areas as 2D boxes

6. Revisions of files will start at A.

7. Export 2D DXF and PDF files of the 2D drawing and an IDF 3.0 file of the assembly.

8. Send ORCAD Schematic, DXF, PDF and IDF files to the PCB layout designer.

9. The IDF file is read into the PCB layout program.

10. Components are added observing the keep in and keep out areas on the board.

11. The file is exported out of the PCB layout program back to an IDF 3.0 file. Two files are

created, filename.emn and filename.emp

12. The Mechanical Engineer opens up the existing PCB board and appends the new IDF file.

13. New components are added and existing components are automatically moved because of

the PCB layout engineer’s design change.

14. The placement is verified by Electronics and Mechanical Engineers for outline, key

component placement, materials, keeping/keepout areas, etc.

15. Any changes will be communicated to the PCB designer by a revision increase (A to B to C

etc.) of the assembly and PCB board and re-issue of ORCAD schematic, DXF, PDF and

IDF files.

16. Steps 8 to 14 are repeated until no changes are required and then the relevant files are set

to revision 1 and released.

[avillanueva]

Sure, give me a bit on that request.  You should really look at IDX instead of EMP/EMN files. That is a better file format for transferring between the groups.