SBIR-STTR Award

Master artwork for Air Force systems is traditionally delivered on polyester-based mylar film. This film tends to degrade over time, even when stored in climate-controlled facilities. In addition, drawings must be digitized before circuit boards can be manufactured, which is an expensive and time consuming step. A reliable and repeatable artwork conversion process is needed. This project will perform the research required to assemble a PCB artwork conversion system, which can digitize Mylar based drawings. The digital files created wil be in Gerber format, which is generally the format needed for printed circuit board manufacture. The system will utilize commercial off the shelf (COTS) components wherever possible. By using COTS components, system cost, maintenance, and upgrade costs will be minimized. Deliverables from this program will include an analysis of potential COTS hardware and software, which could be integrated to from an accurate, repeatable system for digitizing Mylar drawings. Sources for software and hardware, a comparison of each product's capabilities and limitations, and the tolerances for each potential configuration will be documented. Finally, each potential vendor will be sent a 'C' size Mylar drawing, and their generated Gerber files will be evaluated to determine the capability of each system.

Benefits:
The AirForce, other DoD agencies, and commercial industries will benefit from this project. Currently the PCB industry faces a big challenge to convert artwork to digitized format quickly and accurately, because no standard method exists. This comprehensive evaluation will provide many PCB vendors an excellent opportunity to determine what type of system would best suit their needs.

Master Artwork for Air Force systems is traditionally delivered on polyester-based Mylar film. This film tends to degrade over time, even when stored in climate-controlled facilities. In addition, drawings must be digitized before circuit boards can be manufactured, which is an expensive and time-consuming step. A reliable and repeatable artwork conversion process is needed. The phase I of the project developed a successful process for scanning and conversion of artwork. The digital files obtained are in Gerber format, which is generally the format needed for printed circuit board manufacture. The system utilized commercial off the shelf (COTS) components wherever possible. By utilizing COTS components, systems cost, maintenance and upgrade was minimal. Deliverables from the phase II of the project will include a new improved system which will be capable of scanning drawings in various forms (Mylar, paper, diazo, pcb, raster etc.) and convert them into Gerber formats. The new system will be capable of providing output in different formats (DXF, IGES, HPGL etc.). Additionally capabilities such as offline programming for placement machines, stencil creation and drill file information will significantly improve the effectiveness of the system. Reverse engineering capability is also included in phase II of the proposal.

Benefits:
The Air Force, other DoD agencies, and commercial industries will benefit from this project. Currently the PCB industry faces a big challenge to convert artwork to digitized format quickly and accurately, because no standard method exists. This comprehensive evaulation will provide many PCB vendors an excellent opportuntity to determine what type of system would best suit their needs.