This is a very exciting time for those of us responsible for the stewardship of the ODB++ format. Twenty five years ago Valor Computerized Systems introduced a database format that became the most widely used intelligent data exchange format in the PCB industry’s history.
And you were a part of that success. There are more than 65,000 users registered on the ODB++ website and 78 software companies who are committed to support the ODB++ format. Companies of all sizes across the world, OEMs, ODMs, fabricators and contract manufacturers have come to rely on and benefit from the format.
In a recent survey, Mentor found that 48.7% of all companies use ODB++ for at least one of the following functions:
- Fabrication
- Assembly
- Test
- DFM
- Viewing
Up until now, ODB++ has been used to send PCB design data to manufacturing. Now the PCB industry is asking for more. Industry 4.0 dictates that manufacturing systems be data driven and the manufacturing operational data collected be systematically available for continuous product design and manufacturing improvements. As a result, there have been various formats proposed and put in use that have all operated mostly independently, even within our own platforms.
Today, we are happy to announce the extension of ODB++ beyond design data transfer with the introduction of the ODB++ Family. The ODB++ Family is the umbrella initiative unifying Valor’s formats for design, planning and manufacturing. Not surprisingly, we have named the three elements of the unified format ODB++Design, ODB++Process and ODB++Manufacturing.
Once source. One truth. For all the data exchange you need to optimize the execution of your PCB supply chain.
And best of all, the specifications, viewers and support continue to be free.
