Gerber Expert
Gerber-to-CAD reverse engineering solution for PCB assembly
Summary
Gerber Expert is a Gerber-to-CAD reverse engineering tool. Using its highly automated tools and processes you are able to quickly reverse engineer a set of Gerber files into usable file formats including Fat-f. The Fat-f file is an industry standard, generic CAD format that is owned by UGS PLM Software. It can be used to import data into any of the SIEMENS Tecnomatix™ software for electronics manufacturing solutions such as UniCam FX, Test Expert and Simatic IT MES.
The ability to reverse engineer Gerber data is critical since Gerber data is the most common format supplied to PCB manufacturers. All CAD designs are exported into Gerber files for production tooling and photo artwork generation. This may be the only data that can be readily obtained.
Gerber data is “non-intelligent”. It contains only drawn lines and pad flashes, with no correlation to the parts, nets and routes in the circuit. Automatically extracting electrical information directly from the Gerber files to relate parts, pins and connectivity is virtually impossible without reverse engineering.
Gerber Expert solves this problem. It lets you quickly identify the lines and pads in your Gerber file that define components, part parameters and connectivity. Gerber Expert then automatically extracts the component and board information, including all nets, vias, test points, etc., from the Gerber data and can then export this data into many formats including the Fat-f format. Using any of the five unique levels of automated footprint/centroid extraction, you will be able to easily reverse engineer your PCB. With the right data set, you can complete the entire process for even your most complex/high-density boards in a matter of minutes, not hours.
Benefits
Accelerate new product introduction efforts for PCB assembly and test.
Highly automated reverse engineering tool that extracts component and board information
Features
Full support for traditional industry data formats (Gerber, Drill, Mill, IPC-D-356, HPGL, DXF and more) Assembly reverse engineering creates intelligent part information where none previously existed. Five unique levels of automated footprint/centroid extraction are available, allowing fast and easy processing of even high-density board designs
HyperNETLIST generation can create netlist information for even the most complex designs Import wizard that loads ALL industry formats (Gerber, Drill, Mill, HPGL, DXF and more…)
Database navigator provides quick and easy access to important design data and frequently-used functions. No need to hunt through menus and toolbars
HyperNETLIST comparison provides true graphical verification. Included during comparison is a pin-point error feature, not found in competitive systems, that quickly locates your shorts and opens
