Use Design Analyzer to correlate PCB features such as trace width/spacing, number of layers, board size, and drill/via technologies to the capabilities of one or many preferred PCB fabricators. This guarantees submitted designs are fabricated without hidden costs or unexpected delays. Send Design Analyzer reports to a PCB fabricator to arrive at cost and delivery estimates for the fabricated PCB. Working collaboratively with the report in hand, PCB fabricators can make suggestions for design changes that may significantly reduce cost and fabrication time.

Valor DFMStream’s crossprobing facilitates visualization of DFM analysis errors in their native PCB Design tools. Using the crossprobing feature, select errors within Valor DFMStream or its reports and zoom to the error location in the design from within the Siemens PCB Design tools. This expedites the process of finding and correcting errors in the source PCB design. Valor DFMStream’s crossprobing is compatible with leading PCB CAD tools such as PADS or Xpedition, Cadence OrCAD or Allegro PCB Editor.

Manage the myriad of checks and the analysis process using the Streams methodology. Checks are organized into layer types and sub categories to simplify selection of checks to perform and setting the corresponding parameters. Use the Streams methodology to define the type and order or “Stream” of checks to be performed. A stream of analysis can include netlist or layer comparison, design rule verification, fabrication and assembly checks on the entire design, a specific layer or a region of the design. This dramatically reduces set up and execution of the analysis. Analysis streams can be saved and recalled for use on any design. Streams definitions can be defined for a specific PCB technology, vendor capability, or unique design requirement.

Use Analysis features individually outside of a Stream to focus on specific DFM concerns. Run an annular ring analysis on the entire design or just a region of the design. Run a Negative plane analysis on a one or more plane layers.

Large scale analysis can often result in a large number of reported failures. Viewing the results of large scale analysis in chart form allows you to get to the root of the failure and quickly ascertain a remedy. Charting allows you to review specifics of the failures to identify trends or unexpected results. Valor DFMStream’s charting feature reports the exact nature of the error and the PCB features related to that error. The charting function groups common errors so they can be quickly identified and resolved in Valor DFMStream or the source PCB CAD tool.