Joann,

An IPC-D-356 file is used to describe probe points for automated test
equipment (ATE). If the file is generated from your CAD program it gives
you true point to point netlist checking of bare PCB's. It does not rely
on gerber data to generate a netlist. A gerber generated netlist may have
errors particularly if there was a "short" or "open" before you imported
the layers into your CAM program. Gerber files don't have any
intelligence. They dont know what should be touching and what should'nt.

I would highly recommend you get a copy of Printed Circuit Handbook by
Clyde F. Coombs. It is an excellent source of answers to most PCB
questions including this one. If your company won't spring for it, buy it
yourself. It will be worth it.

Scott
 ----------
From:  joanna
Sent:  Thursday, October 02, 1997 2:46 PM
To:  Buscomb, Scott
Subject:  Re: IPC-D-356 and ATE files

> 1. Does anyone have the ability to output an IPC-D-356 file from their
> PCB design software?
>     If so what system are you using?
>
> 2. Is anyone supplying ATE netlist files to their PCB fab shops? What
> format is the file? What CAM software is     the shop using?
>

Scott -

I am terribly new at alot of this so forgive me the dumb questions.
 *Why* do
you output the IPC-D-356 file?  I think we can do it but I don't know why
we
would.  Obviously we don't now.  And what is an ATE netist file?  I work
with
three other designers.  Two of them do their own thing and kind of walk
around
with a "holier than thou" attitude.  Could you enlighten me?  Not that I
want
to walk around like that but I do rather enjoy showing these two
"cowboys"
that

they don't know everything.

Thanks in advance!  :-)

JoAnn L. Amerson
Design Librarian
Red Lion Controls, Inc.
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Voice: (717) 767-6961 ext 6308


__________________________________
Scott Buscomb, Senior CAD Designer
[log in to unmask]
voice 770 338-6170
MTCC/Panasonic, Pager Development
1225 Northbrook Pkwy, Ste 2-358
Suwanee, GA USA 30024
__________________________________

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