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IPC-2581B Advances Data Transfer Standard
November 19, 2013 |Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Since the 1970s, printed board designers and manufacturers have clamored for a standard that will automate the processes of smoothly transferring files. The recent release of IPC-2581B, Generic Requirements for Printed Board Assembly Products Manufacturing Description Data and Transfer Methodology goes a long way toward automating file transfers, but the ever-changing needs of the electronics industry means there will be many more meetings to keep standards up to date.
IPC-2581B represents the latest step in a journey that began when Gerber files were considered new and exciting. One of the attendees at the release party in Texas last month had been closely involved since the days when vertically-integrated companies used Gerber files to move data from their design groups to their manufacturing facilities.
“There have been many, many steps as we try to simplify and standardize the task of information and instruction transfer,” said Dieter Bergman, IPC’s ambassador of technical programs. “Years ago, the electronic and mechanical portions of the design were completely separated. They’re getting closer together, and they’ll be combined even more in the future.”
Though he’s spending a fair amount of time discussing the past and future of standards for design and manufacturing, Bergman is quite impressed with the latest effort. IPC-2581B was created with a lot of input from throughout the supply chain, so it’s significantly better than its predecessor, which came out in 2004.
“Between the A and B versions, they’ve added so much richness you don’t even need a piece of paper for any written instructions,” Bergman said.
While the technology of the standard’s evolution impresses Bergman, he’s even more inspired by business actions that should help boost the standard’s acceptance. The IPC-2581 Consortium, which currently has nearly 50 members, is promoting the specification.
Its members, made up of both suppliers and users, have pledged to use it and have helped drive it forward. Members became involved in the development process and they came up with a to-do list for things that should be added.
They also designed a board and sent it to two fabricators to prove that the specification worked. According to Bergman, that test went very well.
Being able to send files and watch a fully functioning board roll off the production line with minimal human intervention marks a huge change from the past. Gerber files weren’t even in the mix when Bergman was working with Mylar printouts that were often hand-carried from engineering to manufacturing. But he helped companies adopt Gerber, then went on to help create a number of IPC and international data transfer standards.
Bergman was among those who felt that the benefits of a neutral data format standard were many. They kept working on standards that would minimize the need for human intervention, which dramatically lengthens the amount of time it takes to create a prototype or full production board. Now he’s bullish that those efforts will finally start seeing widespread adoption.
“On the first day this was available on IPC’s website, there were 75 downloads,” Bergman said. “Now we’re looking to the future. People have some new ideas for what they want to do with describing components in 3D within the 2581 standard.”