08-07-2019

VEDS Group customers who design their own PCB use their own chosen E-CAD program. Each E-CAD program generates its own specific file. Making these files usable for production, purchasing and stock management can be a time-consuming activity and can cause delays and cost increases during the production process. Since we like to save costs for our customers and find short lead times of great importance, at VEDS we use our own designed program called ProdTool (Production Tool).

VEDS itself works with ODB++ files. These files contain all the elements to make a PCBA: refdes, component outlines/placement, center location, partnames, footprints, etc. Once the PCB design is ready, ProdTool can link two different databases together: the ODB++ file and the BOM file. list. During this process, ProdTool makes the data usable for purchasing and production. The program generates various output files without the intervention of an operator: pick list, assembly drawing, placement file, configuration file purchase.

Because this entire process is done digitally, it runs a lot faster and is less prone to errors than when an operator takes these steps manually. All this ensures an efficient way of controlling the production machines and purchasing department, resulting in fast reliable (prototype) production.