2D PCB

2D PCB provides a convenient and professional method of designing printed circuit boards and drawing schematics. Although a very comprehensive system, the most important design consideration for our software writers, has been to make it easy to use and accessible to students. It is ideal for both simple single-sided PCBs, and complex double-sided boards. A library facility allows standard component libraries (supplied) to be used. Alternatively, user defined components, or even whole circuits, may be saved as library items. Thus it is possible to create small system boards which may easily be loaded and “joined” together to form complete circuits. A large selection of pre-drawn “Alpha” circuit modules is included.

Links with 2D Design mean that design drawings may be used as templates, allowing accurate positioning of components on the board. Alternatively, 2D PCB drawings may be transferred to 2D Design to use in designing the enclosure, fascia, packaging and publicity material.

The track and pad data in a PCB drawing is recognised and preserved when transferred into 2D Design V2 – and vice versa. This compatibility
means maximum flexibility for complete electronic product design.

Conventional school PCB manufacture has been fraught with problems. Now TechSoft have devised clean, quick and simple solutions using manufacturing machines already widely available and proven in schools.

Look at the advantages:
NO “Bridging” of tracks due to faulty etching.
NO Dangerous chemicals and messy etch tanks.
NO Chemical disposal problems.
NO Multi-stage manufacturing processes.
NO Expensive photo etch board.
NO Guessing exposure times (and getting it wrong!).

The software allows two basic manufacturing strategies, engraving onto conventional PCB board using a SRM-20E, RotoCAMM, DE-3E, etc., or cutting a circuit from sticky backed copper foil using a STIKA, CAMM 1, etc.

A piece of PCB board is placed on the machine bed, and the Make PCB option is selected. The machine will then automatically engrave the tracks, drill the holes, and cut out the board. This is a quick, clean and reliable process (eg., a typical simple 555 based circuit should take no more than a couple of minutes to complete on a RotoCAMM). Virtually any circuit design can be manufactured with this process. It is even possible to put tracks between DIL pads!

This process, developed by TechSoft, uses a self-adhesive copper foil (Cutronics). This fits into any Roland vinyl cutter and cuts just like vinyl. When weeded, the circuit can be applied to any suitable substrate such as plastic sheet, wood or card. (If card is used it is possible to make bendy, even “roll up” circuits).

This process is ideally suited to simple circuits with larger pads and tracks, a marvellous introduction to PCB manufacture.

• Shares a common user interface with education standard drawing package, 2D Design V2
• Colour coded double layer boards, silk screen and schematic layers
• Preset or user definable pads and tracks. Tracks may be drawn at any angle
• No practical limit to size of board or
  component count
• Comprehensive transformation commands, move, rotate, mirror image, copy and array
• Editing mode allows single items, or groups, to be moved while maintaining connectivity
• Comprehensive zoom facilities
• User definable library items, allows whole circuits to be used as library items, thus enabling “system” circuit design
• Opens 2D Design files allowing board profiles to be matched to enclosure design, component profiles to be incorporated into library items, etc.
• Graphical output via Windows printer drivers
• Manufacturing output to Roland CNC Machines

Site Licence
A Site Licence allows a school/college to install the software on any number of computers on the school site.

Student Licence
A Student Licence allows a school/college to distribute a special non-output version of the software to students and teachers for home use. Students will be able to save work for output back at school. Schools may choose to charge a nominal amount per student, to recoup the cost.

Minimum Hardware Requirements
Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11.
Microsoft recommended minimum hardware specification advised.
Network compatible (site licence only).

Ordering
In order to avoid software theft, the software is encrypted with the name of the licensed user, typically the name of a person, or the name of an individual establishment.

When ordering please state:
a) Name of licensed user/site (max 28 characters, including spaces).
b) Address for site licence if appropriate.