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DownStream Technologies Announces CAM350 Release 8.5

Customer-driven release focuses on panelization capabilities and other functionality enhancements

Bolton, Mass – March 8, 2004 – DownStream Technologies, LLC today announced CAM350 Release 8.5, the latest version of its industry-leading PCB CAM solution. This release is a direct result of extensive input from customers who expressed a desire for enhancements to be made to existing CAM350 functionality. Key enhancements include:

New Panelization Capabilities - To streamline and ease the panelization process, many new capabilities have been added to the Panel Editor including:

  • Merge Panel templates into the Panel Editor
  • Import Gerber, Mill and Drill data into the Panel Editor
  • Rotate or Mirror Images and Symbols in the Panel Editor
  • Rotate Panel in the Editor

PowerPCB Export - The PADS Export module now supports PowerPCB version 4.0 ASCII export - supporting up to 64 electrical layers and 250 total layers. In addition, PowerPCB version 3.0 ASCII files are fully supported.

Minimum Polygon Gaps and Minimum Polygon Widths - New DFF commands support general spacing and width checking on one layer. The Minimum Gap command finds all clearances smaller than specified for all flashes, traces and coppers, including gap violations created by voids and polygons against themselves. The Minimum Width command finds all copper widths smaller than specified for all flashes, traces and copper, including poured copper. Important enhancements in these commands include coverage of all copper features and checks for clearance violations between polygons edges of the same polygon outline.

Fire 9XXX Export Extended Plotter command controls - The File Export Gerber command has been updated to give users more control over the plotter commands in the Fire 9XXX. For Fire 9XXX headers for Gerber output, the File Export command allows users to specify general mirror settings, emulsion side and axis swap settings.

New Outline Feature - Outline any data set for export to ACAD® or SolidWorks®. This feature is used for both stencil creation and for modeling in third party software.

Defect Fixes - Over 40 software corrections have been made to previously existing functionality, further improving upon CAM350¹s quality and reliability.

"This release is important for a number of reasons. In general, it should act as the catalyst to a stronger relationship with our customers since it is very much in direct response to their requests for enhancements to existing functionality," said Rick Almeida, president of DownStream. "More specifically, the enhancements to the panelization functionality addresses the different methodologies used by CAD designers and CAM engineers to create panels," he added.

Availability and Pricing

DownStream Technologies is providing CAM350 Release 8.5 at no additional charge to all existing customers with a valid maintenance agreement. The update will be available mid-March 2004 and can be downloaded by logging onto www.downstreamtech.com. CAM350 Release 8.5 will also be demonstrated at PCB Design Conference West, March 16-17 in San Jose, CA.

For a limited-time, DownStream is offering new users select CAM350 Release 8.5 configurations at substantial savings. For details, visit www.downstreamtech.com, www.ema-eda.com, e-mail sales@downstreamtech.com or contact one of DownStream¹s local Value Added Resellers (VARs).

About DownStream Technologies

DownStream Technologies’ CAM350 solution allows engineering and manufacturing teams to work together by supporting the verification of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designs early in the product development process to ensure accurate and efficient manufacturing. CAM350 offers customers in the mainstream PCB marketplace significant price/performance value over alternative solutions. Customers can find out more about DownStream at www.downstreamtech.com.

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© 2004 DownStream Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. CAM350 is a trademark of DownStream Technologies, LLC. All other registered trademarks and trademarks contained within this document are the property of their respective owners.