Macaos Enterprise 3.7 (March 2013)

Product browser improvements

Modify product specifications

If a product has not yet been purchased, then some product specifications may be modified. Modifiable specifications include: Name, Article no., Description, Stackup, Solder mask and Legend color(s), and Surface finish.

Create product variant

It may sometimes be useful to create a copy of a product with a different stackup, surface finish or color. The variant product is a copy of the original product, where any of the following specifications may be changed: Name, Article no., Description, Stackup, Solder mask and Legend color(s), and Surface finish.

Put products "on hold"

At times, it may be desirable to block a product from use. This can be done by putting the product "on hold." An "on hold" product is marked with a red and white triangle icon and listed in the On hold folder. It may not be panelized, purchased or used to make a stencil. To put a product "on hold", right click on the product and choose Put product "on hold." To release an "on hold" product, right-click and choose Remove from "on hold."

Hide seldom used folders

Seldom used folders may be hidden from the folders list by right-clicking and choosing Hide folder. Hidden folders may be viewed with the View|Show hidden folders menu command. When hidden folders are visible, their text is gray rather than black. Right-click on a hidden folder and choose Show folder to restore it to normal visibility.

Expanded print functionality

The print button now allows you to choose between printing a layout documentation set, a stackup drawing or a panel drawing (if available).

Import product from Macaos Gallery

Use the Tools|Import product from Macaos Gallery menu command to import a product from Macaos Gallery into Macaos Enterprise.

Panelization improvements

Automatic panelization

Panels may be automatically generated from scripts. A script specifies an ideal panel size, as well as maximum and minimum dimensions. The automatic panel generator steps the board as close as feasible to the ideal size.

A script may also specify panel parameters such as frame width, corners, copper fill, routing or scoring, break-off tab style, bad marks and break-off holes. In addition, any number of fiducials, tooling holes or slots and annotation fields may be added to the panel frame.

The Autopanel menu lists the available panelization scripts. Clicking on a script name in the menu runs the script and generates the panel.

Scripts may be created or modified in the panelization module's script manager, accessed by the Autopanel|Script manager menu command. It is also possible to download scripts that have been created by EMS providers and import them into the script manager. Right-click on the list of scripts and choose Downloadable scripts to open the download site in your web browser.

Scoring in multi-product panels

Scoring may be selected for a multi-product panel. This is only possible if all of the boards in each row (or column) of a panel have the same height (or width). It is not possible to select or move boards once scoring has been specified. Therefore, all boards should be placed prior to selecting X-scoring or Y-scoring.

Break-off holes

The break-off hole generator has been improved to better follow the contour of each board in the panel.

Alignment lines

When moving boards within a panel, vertical and/or horizontal lines show when the board is aligned with the edge(s) of other boards i the panel.

2-dimensional barcodes (Data Matrix ECC 200)

A Data Matrix 2-D bar code may be added to the frame of a panel.

Registration control coupon

A registration control coupon may be added to the frame of a panel. The coupon has a combination of thin lines and plated holes, for use with cross-section or registration testing of the finished panel. The product number is encoded as a Data Matrix at either end of the coupon.

Rotate a board in a panel with scoring

A board in a panel with scoring may be rotated 180 degrees by pressing the space key while the mouse cursor is above the board to rotate.

Import module improvements

Improved linking of files to layers

The import module incorporates a new functionality for automatically linking files to their corresponding layers. This approach uses a simplified artificial intelligence engine to analyze all filenames together with the contents of text files (if any) and assign the files to layers. This approach is most useful for users who import files from multiple sources.

The link filters functionality is also still available for use. This approach is more suitable for users who import files from only one or two CAD systems.

A new Autolink menu has been added to ease switching between the autolink modes.

Import board specifications from an existing product

The board specifications and mimimum feature sizes may be imported from an existing product and used when publishing a new product. Use the Edit|Import board specs from existing product menu command, and enter the product number. Be sure to edit any specifications that are not identical to the existing product, especially the board name. This feature is especially useful when importing a new product that is a revision of an existing product.

Let contour follow inside of lines

If the lines that describe an outer contour are larger than 0.6 mm, then the user may choose whether the center of the lines or the inner edge of the lines will be used to define the board contour.

2-dimensional barcodes (Data Matrix ECC 200)

A Data Matrix 2-D bar code may be added to a board.

Stencil module improvements

Automatic stencil creation

Stencils may be automatically generated from scripts. A script specifies the stencil frame and thickness, placement of data in the stencil, detection of fiducial and default reduction of openings.

The autostencil menu lists the available scripts. Clicking on a script name in the menu runs the script and generates the stencil. Additional modifications may be made as necessary before publishing the stencil.

 Scripts may be created or modified in the stencil module's script manager, accessed by the Autostencil|Script manager menu command. It is also possible to download scripts that have been created by EMS providers and import them into the script manager. Right-click on the list of scripts and choose Downloadable scripts to open the download site in your web browser.

If a panel is generated from a panel script and a stencil script with the same name exists, then a stencil may be automatically created immediately after publishing the panel.

Problem report facility

The problem report facility has been added to the Stencil module, under the Help menu.

Viewer improvements

Snap to feature when measuring

When making measurements, you can press the X key to snap the cursor to the nearest object endpoint. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Move the cursor near the object endpoint where you wish to start measuring.
  2. Press the X key and the cursor will move to the endpoint. Release the X key.
  3. Click the left mouse button to begin measuring.
  4. While holding the mouse button down, move the cursor near the object endpoint to which you wish to measure.
  5. Press the X key and the cursor will move to the endpoint. Release the X key.

An object endpoint is the start or endpoint of a line or arc, the center point of a hole or pad, or any vertex of a polygon.

Note that some CAD systems create what may appear to be a pad or polygon as a set of lines and arcs. In this case, the cursor will snap to the line or arc endpoint.

Other changes

View order history and statistics

Use the Tools|Order history menu command to open the order history and statistics summary for your company.

Pro version

All functionality that was previously reserved for users with Pro licenses is now available for all users. There is no "pro version" of Macaos Enterprise release 3.7.

User manual

There are no longer separate user manuals for the import and panelization modules. All information is contained in one user manual, which may be opened from the Help menu in the product browser, import module or panelization module.

What's new

Use the Help|What's new in this version menu command to open this web page.