Marlborough, Mass – September 19, 2011 – DownStream Technologies, LLC, a leading supplier of PCB post-processing solutions,
today announced official support of the new IPC-2581 standard, having signed on as a founding member of the IPC-2581 Consortium in June of 2011.
“The time is right to look for a replacement for Gerber as the standard data transfer format in PCB fabrication, assembly and test,”
said Rick Almeida, one of DownStream’s Founders. “We are delighted to join the IPC-2581 effort and look forward to advancing the adoption of this
very important, user-driven standard,” he added.
Using multiple data transfer formats to fabricate, assemble and test a PCB is filled with dangers and inconsistencies. IPC-2581
looks to create an open, public and neutral standard, to be adopted by all segments of the PCB supply chain. The Consortium is open to any PCB design/supply
chain company that is prepared to adopt their goals and objectives, as well as commit to a roadmap for IPC-2581 adoption.
DownStream has already demonstrated its commitment to IPC-2581 by integrating the BluePrint-PCB® 3.0 product with fellow Consortium
member Zuken’s CR5000 product and plans to deliver similar integration to Cadence’s OrCAD and Allegro PCB design tools shortly. “We believe IPC-2581 is
the right thing to do especially in relation to the evolution of PCB design, manufacturing and test,” said Almeida. “Technology has exploded since Gerber
was first used and we need a new, intelligent format that can be used beyond where Gerber and NC data have traditionally taken us,” he added.
The IPC-2581 Consortium, was founded by a variety of suppliers from across the PCB design/supply chain including Harris, Ericsson, Fujitsu, nVidia,
Sanmina-SCI, Adiva, Cadence Design Systems, DownStream Technologies, Zuken and UP Media.
The consortium is taking a broad view of how IPC-2581 can be used within the design chain including the ability to transfer data bi-directionally
between software providers. Another key objective of the group is to invite hardware equipment manufacturers to support IPC-2581 as an input drive to various
photoplotters, drilling, pick and place and tester equipment. “While the vision is broad, we think a new standard should not require conversion back into
traditional formats to actually connect to the machine hardware that will physically fabricate and assemble a PCB,” Said Almeida. “It is our view that to
truly realize this vision, it will be important to include the various hardware manufacturers who must also deal with a large variety of antiquated formats,” he added.
About DownStream Technologies
DownStream Technologies, LLC is a software and services company focused on helping engineering organizations
optimize and automate the PCB Release Process. Our tools redefine how engineering professionals post-process PCB designs to create
and distribute all the deliverables required for a complete PCB assembly release package. CAM350® provides verification, optimization
and output generation to efficiently drive PCB fabrication. BluePrint for Printed Circuit Boards® works with CAM350® (and other PCB
CAD systems to help users quickly produce comprehensive electronic drawings to drive PCB fabrication, assembly and inspection processes.
More information about DownStream can be found at
http://www.downstreamtech.com.
About IPC-2581
IPC-2581 Consortium is a group of PCB design and supply chain companies whose collective goal is to enable,
facilitate and drive the use of IPC-2581 in the industry. It is devoted to accelerating the adoption of IPC-2581 as an open, neutrally
maintained global standard to encourage innovation, improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Members of the IPC Consortium include OEMs, EDA/DFM/CAM software companies, PCB fabricators, electronics
assemblers and test companies. The Consortium is open to any PCB design and supply chain company that is prepared to support
or is committed to a roadmap for IPC-2581 adoption.
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©2011 DownStream Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. CAM350® and BluePrint for Printed Circuits Boards® are registered
trademarks of DownStream Technologies, LLC. All other trademarks and registered trademarks contained within this document are
the property of their respective owners.
