There are a number of options in cam350 to help you create stencil, paste or mask layers. Rather than draw data new data, you can use menu items like Over/Undersize and Change | Dcode on existing data to create new layers.
This article refers to some advanced data selection methods, such as using the “Selection Filter”. These methods are detailed in article “Data Selection Methods for Editing”.
Command Sequences in this article are valid for Cam350 version 14 and later. The first command in the sequence is always the ribbon. So Home | Align Layer refers to the Align Layer button found on the Home ribbon. Tools | Explode | Net refers to the net option under the Explode button found on the Tools ribbon. In some cases part of the command sequence will be in brackets, to note a sub section of a bar. For example Home | (commands) | Align Layer is also valid.
Over/Under Size
The Over/Under Size command creates a new layer from data on a template layer. It changes the size of selected objects while keeping them in the same location. This is ideal for creating Paste and Mask layers. You can start the command by selecting HOME | (commands) | Over/Undersize. This opens the Over/undersize setup window.
Unit used is mil by default. If database units are set to metric, then units used by Amount would be mm. If the Percent option is selected then units are not used.
Set your resize options as desired. If you leave them at defaults (pictured above) and hit ok then you will get an error telling you 0 is not a valid size and be returned to the menu. Then either set a valid resize value or hit cancel.
It is recommended that you always user existing layer to send new data to. If using Existing layer be advised that this does not remove existing data. So if you are reducing size of data you will not see any result
Setting a non-zero resize value and clicking OK brings you back to the main program window and you will be in windowing mode. At this point you should select the data you want to change. Single item selection and windowing options are operating normally here. You can see some new toolbar items as well
The Selection filter is available on the left, you can use the Dcode or objects tab to set limits on what you can select, then use Select all button to create your resized layer.
Example: Oversize to create a Mask Top Layer.
Top layer visible, we select Utilities | Over/undersize.
Select amount and type in 10. In this case we want mask apertures that are 10 mils larger than original. Source layer is the active layer by default. Target layer is new layer by default.
Hit OK. Then select your data. You could just use the Select all button or a windowing action to get your data. The Selection Filter is there is help you select less data.
Using the selection filter I unchecked all options except for Flashes.
Result of oversize is that only the flashed pads are oversized to the new layer.
From here you could delete any items you did not want mask for.
But Over/undersize can only change the size of a flash. To change the shape, use Home | (edit) | Dcode.
Changing Dcodes
Home | (edit) | Dcode changes one Dcode to another. Select HOME (view) | Panes | Dcode to turn this pane on. If already on you’ll likely find it docked at the bottom of the screen.
If you are going to use the Change | Dcode command to replace a Dcode, You need to have the Dcode you want to use in the Aperture table. You can add a new Dcode using the Blue + sign (picture above on the right of image).
Of course, you could just make adjustments directly to the aperture table. This is not recommended as such a change is global. It will change that Dcode on all layers, both draws and flashes. So unless you are sure the Dcode you want to change is only used in places you want to change it, don’t edit existing Dcodes on the aperture table.
Using the Dcode pane, you can select a Dcode to highlight on screen. This is a good idea before editing anything so you can see where the Dcode is being used. Use the auto-find and auto-fit check boxes to have Cam350 zoom directly to where the Dcodes are being used.
To un-highlight a Dcode. Hold the Ctrl key down and click on the highlighted Dcode on the Dcode pane.
So it is best to just add a new Dcode instead of editing existing ones. Using the Blue + you can open the Aperture Table and add a new Dcode. On the table select an undefined Dcode (shape “none”). Below Dcode 63 has been selected with a mouse click.
You can also access the Aperture Table using the A hotkey.
You could type in a Dcode number at the top right instead. Then on the right side, select a shape. Once a shape is selected size and other options will appear. As you make your selections, you can see what the Dcode will look like in the upper right window.
Once you have the Dcode you want to use in the aperture table, you use Edit | Change Dcode to change Dcode. Selecting the menu item places you in a selection mode. You can either select a single item or use the SELECTION FILTER and/or windowing options. Once your data is selected (it will be highlighted if selected), RIGHT click anywhere. This opens the Dcode selection menu.
Just pick the new Dcode from the list and the process is finished.
There are some unusual shapes in the Aperture Table that may be of interest to Stencil makers. Among these are Homeplate and D-Pack apertures. Normal shapes like Rectangles have options to chamfer or round their corners as a group or individually. Using these options you can create nearly any aperture you might need. But for even more non-standard shapes, a Custom Aperture (CAP) is used.
The CAP Editor
At the bottom of the screen select the “CAP” tab to access the CAP Editor. Here you can create, load and save CAPs. On the Design Ribbon you can find drawing tools that can be used to create any shape you want. Note that the tool bar here (at top of screen) has different options while in an ADD function. There is a POS/NEG toggle that will allow you to draw negative data. When adding a line, there is the option for square ends (no cap).
There is an origin visible in the CAP editor as well; this is the center of the aperture. Keep this in mind when creating a CAP. If it is offset from this origin, then it will by offset by the same distance from where it is placed back in the CAM editor.
Standard snap and grid controls are here as well. As will as an L0 orthogonal control to allow you to force draws to only occur at specific angles.
In image below we have added a 10 mil thick line with square ends.
On the left side of the CAP editor is Aperture Manger for your custom apertures. It allows you to select any defined CAPs and preview them. There are buttons there to name new apertures, save them, delete them and more.
You can mouse over the various buttons to determine use. But here are a few key overlooked features.
At the bottom there are radial buttons for Project or External. Project just saves the CAP info into the current Cam350 job. In fact if you don’t actually save a CAM file back in the CAM editor your work is then lost. External allows you to point to an external file (*.CLB) file.
To start a CLB file use the MORE button the save or save as your library. Also under “More” is an option to MERGE which will append one CLB file to another. Once you have a CLB file you reference it at the bottom of window and work directly in it. This way you can retain your Custom shapes from job to job.
Use the CAM tab at bottom of screen to return to the CAM editor
In the Aperture table, choose the shape CUSTOM to get the option to select a custom aperture by name. The CAP on the list can either be from your current jobs custom library, or an external Library (*.CLB).
Macros
Macros can automate preceding processes. The Macro Exchange Web site has an example of this with the homeplate macro. You can find it under the list of Available macros:
The homeplate macro allows the user to select a pair of rectangular or square pads, and change then into a pair of homeplate shapes. It then checks the rest of the layer for matching pad pairs and transforms them as well. This macro could be used as a starting point for similar macros. The macro includes instructions on how to use it when it is run. To run a macro, select TOOLS | (macro) | PLAY in the cam350 menu then browse to select the macro you want to run.
For more information about macros can be found in the Help system.