Table of Contents

1. CircuitCAM“>Introduction to CircuitCAM
2. System Requirements
3. Installation Process
4. User Interface Overview
5. Importing PCB Data
6. Supported File Formats
7. Import Settings
8. Editing PCB Data
9. Layer Management
10. Copper Pour
11. Pad and Trace Editing
12. Text and Graphics
13. Design Rule Checks (DRC)
14. Panelization
15. Exporting PCB Data
16. Supported Output Formats
17. Export Settings
18. Advanced Features
    • Scripting and Automation
    • Library Management
19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
20. Conclusion

Introduction to CircuitCAM

CircuitCAM is a comprehensive software solution developed by LPKF Laser & Electronics AG for the preparation of PCB data for manufacturing. It is widely used in the electronics industry for its advanced features and ease of use. CircuitCAM enables users to import PCB designs from various CAD systems, edit and optimize the data, and generate output files for production processes such as drilling, milling, and laser cutting.

System Requirements

Before installing CircuitCAM, ensure that your computer meets the following system requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirements
Operating System	Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit)
Processor	Intel Core i5 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB
Hard Disk Space	10 GB
Graphics Card	Dedicated graphics card with at least 2 GB VRAM
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080

Installation Process

To install CircuitCAM on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Download the CircuitCAM installation package from the official LPKF website.
2. Double-click on the downloaded file to start the installation wizard.
3. Read and accept the license agreement.
4. Choose the installation directory and click “Next”.
5. Select the components you wish to install (e.g., CircuitCAM, sample files, documentation).
6. Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
7. Once the installation is complete, click “Finish” to exit the wizard.

User Interface Overview

CircuitCAM provides a user-friendly interface for navigating and accessing its various features. The main components of the user interface include:

• Menu Bar: Located at the top of the window, it provides access to various commands and settings.
• Toolbar: Contains frequently used tools and functions for quick access.
• Workspace: The main area where you can view and edit your PCB design.
• Layer Panel: Displays a list of layers in your PCB design and allows you to control their visibility and properties.
• Properties Panel: Shows the properties of selected objects in the workspace.
• Output Panel: Provides information about the status of various operations and any error messages.

Importing PCB Data

CircuitCAM supports importing PCB data from various file formats, allowing you to work with designs created in different CAD systems.

Supported File Formats

CircuitCAM can import the following file formats:

• Gerber (RS-274X)
• Excellon Drill
• ODB++
• IPC-2581
• DXF
• HPGL

Import Settings

When importing PCB data, you can customize various settings to ensure the data is imported correctly:

1. Go to “File” > “Import” and select the desired file format.
2. Choose the file you wish to import and click “Open”.
3. In the import dialog, specify the layer mapping, units, and other relevant settings.
4. Click “OK” to import the data into CircuitCAM.

Editing PCB Data

CircuitCAM provides a wide range of tools and features for editing and optimizing your PCB data.

Layer Management

The Layer Panel allows you to manage and organize the layers in your PCB design:

• Show/hide layers by clicking the eye icon next to each layer.
• Rename layers by double-clicking on the layer name.
• Assign colors to layers for better visualization.
• Create new layers or delete existing ones.

Copper Pour

CircuitCAM enables you to create copper pour areas to improve signal integrity and reduce EMI:

1. Select the desired layer in the Layer Panel.
2. Choose the “Copper Pour” tool from the toolbar.
3. Specify the pour parameters, such as clearance and thermal relief settings.
4. Draw the pour area on the selected layer.
5. Right-click and select “Execute Copper Pour” to generate the copper fill.

Pad and Trace Editing

CircuitCAM provides tools for editing pads and traces in your PCB design:

• Move, resize, or delete pads using the selection tool.
• Edit trace width, length, and shape using the trace editing tools.
• Perform boolean operations (e.g., unite, subtract) on pads and traces.

Text and Graphics

You can add text and graphics to your PCB design for labeling and documentation purposes:

1. Select the desired layer in the Layer Panel.
2. Choose the “Text” or “Graphics” tool from the toolbar.
3. Specify the text or graphic properties, such as font, size, and color.
4. Place the text or graphic on the selected layer.

Design Rule Checks (DRC)

CircuitCAM includes a powerful Design Rule Check (DRC) feature to verify your PCB design against a set of predefined rules:

1. Go to “Tools” > “Design Rule Check”.
2. Configure the DRC rules, such as minimum clearance, trace width, and drill size.
3. Run the DRC by clicking “Check”.
4. Review the DRC results and address any violations.

Panelization

CircuitCAM allows you to create panels of multiple PCB designs for efficient production:

1. Go to “Tools” > “Panelization”.
2. Specify the panel size, spacing, and other parameters.
3. Select the PCB designs you wish to include in the panel.
4. Generate the panel by clicking “Create Panel”.

Exporting PCB Data

Once your PCB design is complete, you can export the data in various formats for manufacturing.

Supported Output Formats

CircuitCAM supports exporting PCB data in the following formats:

• Gerber (RS-274X)
• Excellon Drill
• ODB++
• IPC-2581
• DXF
• HPGL

Export Settings

When exporting PCB data, you can customize the export settings to meet your manufacturing requirements:

1. Go to “File” > “Export” and select the desired output format.
2. Specify the export settings, such as layer mapping, units, and file naming conventions.
3. Choose the output directory and click “Export”.

Advanced Features

CircuitCAM offers several advanced features for streamlining your PCB design workflow.

Scripting and Automation

CircuitCAM supports scripting using Python, allowing you to automate repetitive tasks and extend the software’s functionality:

1. Go to “Tools” > “Scripting”.
2. Write your Python script in the scripting editor.
3. Run the script by clicking “Execute”.

Library Management

CircuitCAM provides a library management system for organizing and reusing commonly used components and designs:

1. Go to “Library” > “Component Library”.
2. Create new library components or import existing ones.
3. Use the library components in your PCB designs for faster and more consistent design creation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Can CircuitCAM import PCB designs from other CAD software?
   A: Yes, CircuitCAM supports importing PCB data from various CAD systems, including Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, and Mentor Graphics PADS.

2. Q: Does CircuitCAM support multi-layer PCB designs?
   A: Yes, CircuitCAM can handle multi-layer PCB designs with up to 64 layers.

3. Q: Can I customize the DRC rules in CircuitCAM?
   A: Yes, CircuitCAM allows you to define and customize DRC rules based on your specific manufacturing requirements.

4. Q: Is it possible to create custom footprints in CircuitCAM?
   A: Yes, CircuitCAM provides a footprint editor for creating and editing custom footprints for your components.

5. Q: Can I automate CircuitCAM using scripts?
   A: Yes, CircuitCAM supports scripting using Python, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks and extend the software’s functionality.

Conclusion

CircuitCAM is a powerful and versatile software tool for preparing PCB data for manufacturing. With its comprehensive set of features, including importing, editing, and exporting PCB data, design rule checks, panelization, and scripting capabilities, CircuitCAM streamlines the PCB design workflow and ensures high-quality output for production. By following the steps and guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively use CircuitCAM to create and optimize your PCB designs for successful manufacturing.