From design data to finished boards, Siemens offers an industry-standard CAM toolset that helps PCB fabricators verify, optimize and generate manufacturing data within a single platform.
In printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, a small error overlooked during pre-production can have far-reaching consequences: costly scrap, delayed deliveries and unplanned corrective work. As PCB designs become more densely populated, multilayered and subject to tighter mechanical tolerances, relying solely on 2D drawings or manual checks is no longer enough to ensure that a production run is right the first time.
To address this challenge, Siemens offers Valor CAM350, an integrated computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) data preparation toolset designed for PCB fabricators that need to control quality from the earliest stages of production. Instead of coordinating several separate applications, Valor CAM350 brings the entire workflow—data import, editing, analysis, fabrication panel design, stencil design and manufacturing output—into one platform.
A distinctive capability of Valor CAM350 is its 3D visualization of CAM data exported from popular PCB design tools. Manufacturing engineers can rotate and zoom into the board, even looking between its layers to examine the internal structure. This helps reveal conflicts and potential issues that may be difficult to identify in conventional 2D drawings—all before a physical PCB is produced.
Why Do PCB Fabricators Need Valor CAM350?
Modern PCB designs are increasingly complex and require thorough verification before moving into volume production. Identifying design and design for manufacturing (DFM) issues early in pre-production helps fabricators avoid costly risks later, rather than having to resolve problems after the production line is running.
With Valor CAM350, design data can be inspected, prepared and validated within a single platform: import the design, make corrections where necessary, analyze it for potential fabrication issues and generate a complete set of manufacturing data for the factory. Standardizing this workflow can shorten preparation time and reduce the risk of unexpected costs caused by special handling or rework, while helping to produce PCBs at a lower cost. The result is a smoother transition from engineering data to physical PCBs—faster, more accurately and more cost-effectively.
Key Strengths of Valor CAM350
Visualize Manufacturing Data in 3D
A 3D environment provides a more intuitive and powerful way to inspect data than a conventional 2D view. Users can explore what the finished PCB will look like from any angle, including between its layers, to identify irregularities before physical production begins.
Design Fabrication Panels
Arranging multiple PCBs on a single fabrication panel for volume production can be time-consuming when done manually. With Valor CAM350’s automated panel design wizard, users enter a few basic parameters and the software generates a multi-PCB layout designed to minimize material waste, helping reduce material costs and preparation time.
Create Flexible Solder Paste Stencils
Valor CAM350 enables users to create custom solder paste stencils directly from Gerber data, PCB component footprints or an existing stencil library, including custom paste mask shapes. Stencil configurations can be saved in a user-defined library and reused across multiple PCB designs, helping standardize the process across projects.
Key Capabilities of Valor CAM350
Valor CAM350 brings the manufacturing data workflow—from import, review and editing to analysis and output—together in one platform, reducing interruptions caused by moving between different applications:
- Data import and export. Valor CAM350 works with virtually all PCB design tools through industry-standard file formats, including ODB++, IPC-2581, Gerber, Excellon, Sieb & Meyer, DXF, GenCAD and HPGL. After processing, design data can be exported as ODB++, IPC-2581, Gerber, DXF, Excellon, Sieb & Meyer or HPGL, with additional export options including PADS ASCII and GenCAD. This supports data exchange throughout the design-to-manufacturing supply chain.
- View, query, measure and report. Engineers can inspect individual layers of PCB fabrication data, take measurements on the board and generate reports for quality control, supporting technical communication between design and manufacturing teams.
- Edit design data. When a discrepancy or minor adjustment is identified, users can edit CAM data directly in Valor CAM350 without returning to the original design tool, helping resolve issues promptly and keep production on schedule.
- Create custom scripts with an API. Valor CAM350’s application programming interface (API) enables fabricators to build scripts that automate repetitive workflows and tailor data checks and processing steps to their operations.
- Analyze designs. In-depth analysis reviews PCB data to detect potential design for manufacturing (DFM) issues early, helping prevent problems when the board enters fabrication.
- Reverse engineering. When design information needs to be reconstructed from non-intelligent data such as Gerber files, Valor CAM350 can convert elements into traces, vias, padstacks, footprints and nets for analysis, editing or fabrication of a subsequent revision.
An Integrated Solution for a Connected Workflow
From importing and editing design data to DFM analysis, fabrication panel design, stencil design and manufacturing output, Valor CAM350 helps PCB fabricators shorten preparation time, reduce the risk of production errors and improve overall operational efficiency. This provides an advantage in an electronics industry that demands fast execution and accuracy at every stage.
According to Siemens’ product page, Valor CAM350 version 15.2 is listed as the latest release, with download information available through the Siemens Support Center.
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