In early October, industry leaders gathered for the inaugural IPC-2581 Summit, a significant event that underscored the importance of standardized data exchange in PCB design and manufacturing. The Summit brought together engineers, manufacturers, and thought leaders to discuss the advancements and benefits of adopting IPC-2581, setting a promising trajectory for the future of the industry. The Summit hosted representatives from 15 companies representing PCB design and manufacturing ecosystem – OEMs/design houses, manufacturing companies, and software companies that support both the design houses and the manufacturing companies – Amazon, Cisco, Nvidia, Lockheed Martin, Pioneer Circuits, Sierra Circuits, Zuken, Cadence, Polar, Vayo, Multek, Aegis to name a few
Remarkable Adoption Rates
One of the standout revelations from the Summit was Multek’s report of more than 2,300 boards built using IPC-2581 as input since 2018. This remarkable figure demonstrates the growing acceptance of the standard while underscoring the reliability and effectiveness of the IPC-2581 standard in high-volume manufacturing environments.
Aegis Software, which provides MES software for manufacturing companies, further emphasized this trend, sharing that 33 companies, including large multinational contract manufacturers and smaller enterprises, have successfully integrated IPC-2581 into their workflows. These numbers highlight the growing recognition of IPC-2581 as a standard that meets the needs of manufacturers of all sizes.
In their observations prior to the summit, Axiom Electronics noted that IPC-2581 is their preferred format and has been helpful in streamlining their factory process to be paperless. A significant number of their customers provide IPC-2581 as input for building their boards for many years now.
Enhancing Data Exchange
Participants discussed the significant advantages IPC-2581 offers over traditional file formats. Many companies currently use IPC-2581 for stack-up exchanges, streamlining the data transfer process. Many companies use Gerber files for complete design data hand-offs, which can require multiple documents and are often time-consuming to parse. IPC-2581 consolidates all necessary information into a single XML-based file. This simplification facilitates efficient data exchange across ECAD tools, making collaboration smoother and reducing the potential for errors.
Demonstrating the Benefits
Participants highlighted several benefits of IPC-2581 that can dramatically improve PCB manufacturing:
- Complete Machine-Readable Data: IPC-2581 provides a comprehensive set of machine-readable data, ensuring all aspects of PCB manufacturing are covered.
- Single File Consolidation: The standard consolidates all information into one file, simplifying access and management of PCB data.
- IP Protection through Function Modes – The IPC-2581 standard allows customers to provide only the relevant data their manufacturing partners require. Users can output a package just for fabrication or just for assembly. The standard supports several function modes, including one for stencil creation. This approach allows the exchange of selected data for a particular manufacturing step while maintaining security and IP protection.
- Bi-directional Exchange: IPC-2581 facilitates bi-directional communication for stack-up data and Design for Manufacturability (DFM), improving collaboration between design and manufacturing teams.
- User-friendly Format: IPC-2581 offers a clear and accessible format, making it easier to work with than alternatives like ODB++, which still relies on multiple files.
A Call to Action
The IPC-2581 Summit laid the groundwork for a collaborative future in PCB design and manufacturing. As engineers, it is crucial to recognize the potential of IPC-2581 not just as a standard but as a transformative tool that can redefine workflows and improve efficiency.
With the growing trend of adoption across the industry, now is the time for companies to embrace IPC-2581 fully. By encouraging suppliers to support this standard and transition away from outdated formats, businesses can enhance their processes, reduce costs, and drive innovation.
The insights shared during the Summit will serve as a catalyst for continued dialogue and progress within the industry. As we move forward, let’s commit to leveraging IPC-2581 to unlock new efficiencies and elevate the quality of PCB design and manufacturing. Together, we can shape a more integrated and successful future for the industry.
Join us as a corporate member or as an associate member and be part of moving our industry from a 1950s format to a modern, open standard.