eCADSTAR Sets New Standards for Compact PCB Design with Etched Inductor Parts

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Zuken announces the 2024 release of eCADSTAR, Zuken’s next-generation PCB design system for small and medium businesses. The new release includes a number of improvements ranging from enhanced design reuse, simplified revision tracking and more robust schematic design. 
 
eCADSTAR 2024 supports PCB designers in meeting the increasing demand for compact, high-performance, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly electronic devices. Addressing the challenge of limited PCB space, the 2024 release optimizes the placement of etched resistors on inner layers, essential for the termination of critica signals. The intuitive footprint editor allows for easy customization of size and shape, ensuring accurate resistance values and enhancing design efficiency. 
 
Design Comparison Capability for Revision Tracking 
The new release introduces a comprehensive design comparison capability that allows designers to easily identify differences between two PCB or schematic designs. This feature is invaluable for understanding revisions made over time, especially when the documentation of
changes is deficient. In addition, the shape comparison tool aids in reverse engineering efforts by highlighting discrepancies in copper and routing patterns. 
 
Efficient Component Transfer 
The new "Copy Complete Part" feature allows designers to effortlessly transfer a component, along with its comprehensive set of data including PCB footprint, schematic symbol, padstacks, and 3D model, from a customer-specific or prototype library to a central library directly to a customer-specific library in a single action. This capability not only saves valuable time, but also ensures consistency and accuracy in the design process - a significant improvement over the piece-by-piece transfer processes of the past. 
 
Schematic Updates for Improved Design Experience 
eCADSTAR Schematic has received several updates to improve the design experience. The documentation enhancements now include support for variant text. The drawing of nets and buses has been optimized to make the process of connecting components much easier. In addition, the introduction of new Design Rule Checks (DRCs) helps identify potential problems early on, streamlining the design process, reducing overall design time, and minimizing the need for later revisions.