Seamless data exchange between ECAD and MCAD teams for accurate PCB and enclosure design.
As devices become smaller and performance demands increase, the margin for error between a printed circuit board (PCB) and its enclosure has all but disappeared. A product’s success now depends heavily on how effectively the electrical (ECAD) and mechanical (MCAD) teams work together.
However, real collaboration requires more than just good intentions; it necessitates a clear workflow and the right tools. To help teams navigate this increasingly interconnected process, we’ve outlined best practices for ECAD-MCAD data exchange in Cadence software. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce fit issues, speed up data transfers, and create a truly unified design environment.
| Best Practices for ECAD-MCAD Data Exchange with Cadence Software | ||
| Area | Traditional Approach | Cadence Approach |
| File Format | Static files (STEP, IDF, DXF) require full re-import for every change. | Incremental Design Exchange (IDX) format for incremental, lightweight updates. |
| Change Management | Manual emails or notes describing changes; no digital history. | Bi-Directional Communication with Accept/Reject capabilities and full revision history. |
| Constraint Mgmt. | Verbal communication of keep-outs and height restrictions. | Native Design Constraints passed digitally between tools to prevent violations. |
| Synchronization | One-time check at the end of the design cycle. | Early and Often syncs to catch interferences during placement. |
| Library Data | Mismatched footprints and generic 3D models. | Unified 3D Library ensuring origin points and rotation match across domains. |
Upgrade from Traditional Data Formats and Exchange
Historically, engineers relied on static file formats like IDF, DXF, or STEP to move data between domains. While useful for final checks, these “dumb” files are inefficient for active collaboration. They require importing the entire board every time a change is made, leading to massive file sizes and version control nightmares.
One of the most critical best practices for ECAD-MCAD data exchange within the Cadence ecosystem is adopting the IDX (Incremental Design Exchange) format. Unlike static files, IDX allows for:
- Incremental Updates: Only the changes (e.g., a moved connector or a modified board outline) are sent, keeping file sizes small and transfers instant.
- Bi-Directional Control: Both ECAD and MCAD designers can propose changes, which can be reviewed, accepted, or rejected before impacting the native design file.
However, even the best exchange format fails if the underlying data is flawed. Synchronization issues frequently stem from library mismatches where the ECAD footprint does not align with the MCAD 3D model. To ensure a seamless flow, teams must prioritize:
- Library Synchronization: Ensure that the XYZ origin and rotation of PCB footprints match their corresponding 3D STEP models to prevent alignment errors.
- Constraint Transfer: Go beyond simple geometry by passing design constraints (keep-out zones, room definitions, and detailed copper data) into the MCAD environment. This enables mechanical engineers to conduct accurate thermal and electromagnetic analyses based on the actual electrical design intent.
ECAD-MCAD Collaboration Via Continuous Synchronization
Beyond the data itself, successful collaboration requires a clearly defined process regarding who controls what. Before layout begins, electrical and mechanical leads should establish “ownership zones” to prevent the “tug-of-war” where one designer inadvertently undoes the work of the other.
- MCAD Ownership: Typically controls the board outline, mounting holes, and enclosure-related constraints.
- ECAD Ownership: Controls critical component placement, trace routing, and copper layers.
- Locking Mechanisms: Cadence tools can lock these critical elements once defined, ensuring data integrity across domains.
Once ownership is established, the workflow must shift from a “final check” mentality to a continuous synchronization process. Waiting for a final MCAD check at the end of the design cycle is a recipe for costly re-spins. By utilizing real-time bi-directional communication, teams should implement a strategy of synchronizing “early and often” at key milestones:
- Placement Phase: Sync initial component placement to check for major mechanical interferences.
- Mid-Design Check: Perform thermal simulations in the MCAD environment using preliminary copper data.
- Final Verification: Sync the final routing and silkscreen for a comprehensive Digital Mockup (DMU) before manufacturing.
Implementing these best practices for ECAD-MCAD data exchange with Cadence software transforms the design process from a series of disjointed handoffs into a concurrent, collaborative workflow. By leveraging intelligent data, history tracking, and native integrations, you can shorten design timelines and produce more reliable products.
Intelligent, Native, Bi-Directional Collaboration with IDX
To streamline ECAD-MCAD workflows, Cadence and Dassault offer two free integrations: MCADX and CircuitWorks. Both tools enable native, bi-directional collaboration, letting ECAD and MCAD teams work in their own environments while staying fully synchronized.
PCB and Enclosure Collaboration
This workflow demonstrates how electrical and mechanical teams can collaborate using OrCAD X and SOLIDWORKS to ensure board and enclosure designs are aligned.
- ECAD exports the board, including component models and metadata, directly from OrCAD X.
- SOLIDWORKS imports the assembly, automatically flagging missing models while preserving design intelligence.
- Mechanical adjustments (aligning connectors or mounting holes) are made in SOLIDWORKS and sent back to ECAD with designer comments.
- ECAD users review, accept, or reject changes, instantly updating the assembly in 3D.
Rigid–Flex Collaboration
With recent updates specifically to MCADX, rigid-flex support can now pass flex-region definitions, bend lines, and bend angles from ECAD to SOLIDWORKS. MCAD teams can visualize boards in their bent state, simulate motion for interference detection, and run thermal or structural analyses directly within the design, eliminating the need for manual recreation of flex behavior, saving significant time and reducing errors.
By adopting IDX-based bi-directional workflows with MCADX and CircuitWorks, teams transform ECAD-MCAD collaboration from a series of handoffs into a continuous, integrated design process, thus reducing errors, shortening timelines, and ensuring that both electrical and mechanical intent is maintained throughout development.
