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Current IssueThe Hole Truth: Via Integrity in an HDI World
From the drilled hole to registration across multiple sequential lamination cycles, to the quality of your copper plating, via reliability in an HDI world is becoming an ever-greater challenge. This month we look at “The Hole Truth,” from creating the “perfect” via to how you can assure via quality and reliability, the first time, every time.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Defect Reduction
For bare PCB board fabrication, defect reduction is a critical aspect of a company's bottom line profitability. In this issue, we examine how imaging, etching, and plating processes can provide information and insight into reducing defects and increasing yields.
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We take the pulse of the PCB industry by sharing insights from leading fabricators and suppliers in this month's issue. We've gathered their thoughts on the new U.S. administration, spending, the war in Ukraine, and their most pressing needs. It’s an eye-opening and enlightening look behind the curtain.
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SnapEDA Launches Instabuild, a Free Computer Vision-Based Part Builder
October 4, 2017 | SnapEDAEstimated reading time: 1 minute

SnapEDA, the Internet’s first parts library for circuit board design, is launching InstaBuild, the first free automated part builder. InstaBuild uses powerful computer vision technology to enable PCB designers to make schematic symbols in mere minutes.
Using a datasheet as the input, it automatically extracts symbol pinouts, understands whether a pin is an input, output or power pin, and auto-arranges the symbols based on SnapEDA’s published symbol standards.
“InstaBuild is based on the underlying technology we use internally at SnapEDA to create parts quickly,” said Natasha Baker, CEO and founder of SnapEDA. “We’re opening up access so that hardware designers around the world can benefit from this technology.”
The symbols are automatically mapped to verified IPC-compliant footprints. The designer can then download the ready-to-use symbol and footprint for their desired PCB design software.
Supported formats include Altium, Autodesk Eagle, Mentor PADS & DXDesigner, Cadence OrCad and Allegro, KiCad, and PCB123. For most parts, the process takes less than 5 minutes.
If a part is already available in SnapEDA’s vast component library, then the part can simply be downloaded free from the SnapEDA website instantly, or from within Altium, Eagle, or PCB123 using one of the SnapEDA plugins.
InstaBuild is free, and can be accessed from supported part pages on SnapEDA. To learn more click here.
About SnapEDA
SnapEDA is building the canonical library for circuit board design. By providing ready-to-use building blocks for design, its library shaves days off of product development, allowing designers to focus on optimization and innovation. Over 60,000 hardware designers worldwide rely on SnapEDA to design faster, whether they’re making smartwatches, drones or robots. Based in San Francisco, the company is funded by Y Combinator and private investors. Visit www.snapeda.com.
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