Artwork re-creation may call for layer separation, so 'destructive test' allowance need be determined. Beware of planing a board, as minor warpage can cause destruction of traces. Separation of layers is preferable. Followed by a scan of the board layers, (Gerber) file(s) can be created. In a less trace-dense environment, netlist generation-via-test products would help and still may in your application. This would provide a base for the schematic. ACI Technologies may be able to handle these portions. As for the parts list: Removal of discrete parts and measuring will give values, removal and test of all of a particular type may even lead to an educated guess on tolerances. Sarnoff Corp may assist with replacement of any unknown quad devices if your labeling had been removed. They can design an alternate for many 'spec-missing' devices.
 
Linda Britt
Electrical Engineering Lead
American Competitiveness Institute
Telephone: (610) 362-1200; Ext. 217
FAX: (610) 362-1290
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

Lee Whiteman
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
ACI / EMPF
Telephone: (610) 362-1200; Ext. 208
FAX: (610) 362-1290
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

 
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bill Dworak
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 5:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] reverse engineering

I have a part that my customer wants to manufacture a pcb, and a pcb is all that they have no data no other info at all, this company just purchased a littler company and the people that were involved with this certain project are no where to be found not to mention that it is in a different country.
 What my question is can a finished product like this be reverse engineered so that they can produce the proper data and whatever else is needed to mass produce them? It is a pcmcia (4 layer) they have about a dozen of them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bill Dworak