Milestone releases provides integrated solution for PCB post-processing as well as new enhancements
Marlborough, Mass – December 17, 2008 – DownStream Technologies, LLC today announced it has begun shipping and offering for download, the latest versions of their products CAM350® Release 10 and BluePrint-PCB® Release 2. The company undertook an extensive development process that completed integration between the products and now creates a completely synergistic solution for all PCB post-processing. This sets the stage for a process by which the user can utilize CAM350 and BluePrint-PCB to create and distribute all the deliverables required for a complete PCB fabrication and assembly release package in one single electronic file. DownStream expects to ship more than 3,600 copies of the update, making it the largest release in the company’s history.
As part of the release effort, DownStream has revamped its pricing, configurations and available add-on options, making it more affordable than ever for existing users to upgrade their license of CAM350 and add new functionality. In addition, the company has released a brand new configuration, CAM350-150, giving users a sophisticated PCB design post-process solution at an extremely affordable price point. CAM350-150 features include:
- Design, Gerber, and NC importation viewing and editing
- Solder and Paste mask creation
- Assembly Panel Array definition
- Design Rule Checking on design and Gerber data
- Netlist comparison between the design and Gerber data
- DXF and ODB++ importation
- And cross probing to Cadence Allegro, Mentor PADS, and Expedition PCB layout systems
CAM350-150 also includes DownStream’s “Release Package Navigator”, a feature recently introduced in their patented BluePrint-PCB documentation tool. The Release Package Navigator allows CAM350 users to export Gerber, Drill, Mill, and ODB++ files directly into an electronic Release Package file. In addition to manufacturing outputs CAM350 users can add virtually any file format including PDF, DXF, design, schematic files to the release package. This allows all deliverables for manufacturing to be contained in one electronic file and greatly reduce the chance of missing critical data. The electronic Release Package can also be read in and written to by DownStream’s BluePrint-PCB documentation tool so that fabrication, assembly, panel, rework drawings and bills of materials can be stored with their applicable manufacturing outputs. The company is making the Release Package Navigator available as a low cost add-on module for existing users of the CAM350-110 series configuration.
“We are very excited about the introduction of CAM350-150. We believe we’ve packaged many of the essential tools needed by PCB designers to accurately move their designs from the CAD environment into physical PCBs”, stated Rick Almeida, Founder of DownStream Technologies. He added, “Never before has such functionality been packaged together at such an aggressive price point ($3,250 US). With CAM350-150, users can now generate all the necessary outputs for bare board fabrication and compile them with the necessary documentation whether it’s stored in MS Office, PDF, DXF, ODB++ or our own BluePrint format for a complete and unified manufacturing instruction set”.
As part of the BluePrint V2.0 release, DownStream is now shipping its new Panel Drawing module. This module is an add-on option to BluePrint-PCB, BluePrint-Foundations, and BluePrint-4-PADS. It includes all the necessary tools and functionality to quickly create panel documents complete with dimensions, fiducial and pinning locations, panel level drill charts and note blocks. Panels created in BluePrint can be sent to CAM350 for Gerber, drill, and mill output generation at the panel level if desired. Panels defined by CAM350 can also be read into BluePrint for document creation. Also, as part of the V2.0 release DownStream is now offering node-locked only versions of all BluePrint configurations, and options.
Product Availability
CAM350 Release 10 and BluePrint-PCB Release 2 are available for immediate shipping and download, and will ship to over 3,600 current users with valid maintenance contracts. CAM350 pricing starts at $2,500 (US), CAM350-150 pricing starts at $3,200 (US). BluePrint pricing starts at $2,200. BluePrint’s Panel Drawing Module pricing starts at $1,600 (US).
For more information visit
http://www.downstreamtech.com, e-mail
sales@downstreamtech.com or contact one of DownStream’s
local Value Added Resellers (VARs).
About DownStream Technologies
DownStream Technologies, LLC is a progressive software company
focused on helping engineering organizations 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 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 www.downstreamtech.com.
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© 2008 DownStream Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. CAM350® and BluePrint for Printed Circuit Boards® are registered
trademark of DownStream Technologies, LLC. All other registered trademarks and trademarks contained within this document are
the property of their respective owners.
