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Current IssueAll About That Route
Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
Creating the Ideal Data Package
Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
Designing Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
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Freedom CAD Celebrates 15th Anniversary
May 15, 2018 | Freedom CADEstimated reading time: 1 minute
May 16, 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of Freedom CAD Services. Freedom CAD was founded on this day by Lou and Lauren Primmer, pioneers in the PCB CAD industry. They launched Freedom CAD when Plexus decided to divest the Nashua, NH design center in 2003.
The Primmers formed Freedom CAD with 11 other ex-Plexus employees to service a number of long time regional customers. Since then, Freedom CAD has grown to become one of the largest independent design services companies in North America.
Over the past 15 years they have more than tripled their staff of topnotch designers and now have designers working across the US. In addition to supporting Cadence Allegro, Mentor’s Xpedition and PADS and Altium PCB CAD tools, Freedom CAD also provides PCB electrical and mechanical engineering services, signal and power integrity analysis and prototype fulfillment services.
“In 2003, we had a vision to create the highest quality independent printed circuit board design service company in the country,” said Lou Primmer. “We believed we could leverage our ‘structured, large corporation’ experience and create a nimble, privately held company. I’m pleased to say that we were successful at accomplishing this and the fact that we are ITAR-registered and ISO9001-certified, both of which require structure and process control, are indicators of this accomplishment. And during this time we have leveraged this structure and nimbleness to expand our customer base from regional to national and include many of the Fortune 100 Electronics OEMs. I’m proud to see the vision become a reality and look forward to the next 15 years!”
Suggested Items
DownStream Acquisition Fits Siemens’ ‘Left-Shift’ Model
06/26/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I recently spoke to DownStream Technologies founder Joe Clark about the company’s acquisition by Siemens. We were later joined by A.J. Incorvaia, Siemens’ senior VP of electronic board systems. Joe discussed how he, Rick Almeida, and Ken Tepper launched the company in the months after 9/11 and how the acquisition came about. A.J. provides some background on the acquisition and explains why the companies’ tools are complementary.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
06/26/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonThere's a story about a young woman preparing a holiday ham. Before putting it in the pan, she cuts off the ends. When asked why, she shrugs and says, "That's how my mom always did it." She asks her mother, who gives the same answer. Eventually, the question reaches Grandma, who laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Siemens Turbocharges Semiconductor and PCB Design Portfolio with Generative and Agentic AI
06/24/2025 | SiemensAt the 2025 Design Automation Conference, Siemens Digital Industries Software today unveiled its AI-enhanced toolset for the EDA design flow.
Cadence AI Autorouter May Transform the Landscape
06/19/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazinePatrick Davis, product management director with Cadence Design Systems, discusses advancements in autorouting technology, including AI. He emphasizes a holistic approach that enhances placement and power distribution before routing. He points out that younger engineers seem more likely to embrace autorouting, while the veteran designers are still wary of giving up too much control. Will AI help autorouters finally gain industry-wide acceptance?
Beyond Design: The Metamorphosis of the PCB Router
06/18/2025 | Barry Olney -- Column: Beyond DesignThe traditional PCB design process is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Routing a complex PCB layout can consume up to 30% of a designer’s time, and addressing this issue is not straightforward. We have all encountered this scenario: You spend hours setting the constraints and finally hit the Go button, only to be surprised by the lack of visual appeal and the obvious flaws in the result.