PCB Libraries Forum : PCEA: Any Use From The Library Standpoint? https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:39:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:59:27 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2621 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[PCEA: Any Use From The Library Standpoint? : I can&#039;t wait to release V2020...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10710.html#10710 Author: Tom H
Subject: 2621
Posted: 13 Apr 2020 at 7:59am

I can't wait to release V2020 Footprint Expert next month. It looks marvelous. 

I hope we can release a beta version later this month. 

The only issue is the FPX file format has been upgraded to handle unit resolutions up to 6 places to the right of the decimal point. So when you open a V2018 FPX file in V2020 and save it, you cannot go back to V2019. 

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:59:27 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10710.html#10710 <![CDATA[PCEA: Any Use From The Library Standpoint? : Yes, I agree that Library Expert...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10709.html#10709 Author: cioma
Subject: 2621
Posted: 13 Apr 2020 at 1:36am

Yes, I agree that Library Expert is a de-facto standard tool for footprints from standardization and quality standpoints. And I'm sure Footprint Expert will boost that trend so the stagnation of IPC- 7351 would not matter at all.
]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:36:38 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10709.html#10709 <![CDATA[PCEA: Any Use From The Library Standpoint? : From what I understand, PCEA with...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10708.html#10708 Author: Tom H
Subject: 2621
Posted: 10 Apr 2020 at 2:56pm

From what I understand, PCEA with Rick Hartley, Mike Creeden, Gary Ferrari, Suzy Webb, Scott McCurdy and the rest are in the educational side of the industry. That is what the Designer's Council offered. 

I talked to Gary and I volunteered to join the group to help develop standards, but it's not happening yet. 

Karen McConnell stepped down from the IPC 1-13 Land Pattern committee in February. I tried to attend a webcast with the sub-committee but it was canceled and rescheduled. 

I heard that before Karen left that she threw out Dieter Bergman, Rainer Taube and my 7351C draft and started over from scratch with the 7351B version. 

It seems that IPC is interested in Fabrication, Assembly and Test and not focusing on PCB design standards. There is no one employed at IPC right now for PCB design knowledge like Dieter Bergman had. They tried to replace Dieter with Nancy Jaster but she quit. I heard they were going to hire someone, but then the IPC Design Executive Committee was disbanded from IPC along with the Designers Council. My son Luke was the president of the San Diego, CA chapter. 

So, I'm just as lost as everyone else. 

On the bright side, we're releasing V2020 Footprint Expert next month and I'm writing a 300 page User Guide that explains both the How and the Why footprint automation works. It may become the new standard as we have topped 100,000 users worldwide and about 500 new users every month. 

We will also release Symbol Expert next month along with a brand new PCBPOD.com website that will host millions of symbols, footprints and 3D models. 

I just got an email from IPC that the next 7351C Land Pattern meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 15, 2020 at 2:00 pm CDT using GoToMeeting webcast software. 

]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2020 14:56:13 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10708.html#10708 <![CDATA[PCEA: Any Use From The Library Standpoint? : Hi Tom,I&#039;m curious about...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10707.html#10707 Author: cioma
Subject: 2621
Posted: 10 Apr 2020 at 2:17pm

Hi Tom,

I'm curious about your opinion on the disbandment of the IPC Designer's Council and formation of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA). 

Do you think it will have any positive/negative impact on footprint standardization?

]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2020 14:17:51 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/pcea-any-use-from-the-library-standpoint_topic2621_post10707.html#10707