Using MGC variant properties to create manufacturing data

Leo Dabbs and Mark Baker
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems
lfdabbs@mail.delcoelect.com
765-451-0329

This paper describes the strategy Delphi Delco Electronics Systems will use to implement its new Electrical Common Process (ECP). MGCs variant functionality plays a key role in identifying variant assemblies. The Board Architect application provides out-of-the box variant functionality to replace the in-the-house customized software created to handle variants. The functionality incorporated in the C.1 version of Board Architect is a powerful tool for managing a variant design process. From the beginning of design creation, the Electrical Engineer may choose to setup variants. After the initial setup, the Engineer builds the schematic, adding components to the defined variants as needed. Components may also have alternate part numbers which override the part number for a particular variant. This functionality is allowed only if the component geometries are the same. Variant specific reports, Bill of Materials, and Variant Tables are easily generated per variant or all variants through the Board Architect application. The Engineer also may view each variant (or a combination of variants) and print each as needed. Similar visibility and BOM generation functionality is available in downstream tools such as Layout and Fablink. The Board Architect(BA) data helps drive the creation of artwork drawings, variant assembly drawings, and manufacturing data. BA will will enable the Engineering Information Technology group to provide the flexibility to support the diversity within the manufacturing community. The types of data being managed range from Library parts, to schematic drawings, to board drawings, to variant assembly drawings, to manufacturing data. The "Circuit Board Design Requirements" form is used by Electrical Engineers to provide board data, assembly data, and manufacturing process information to the PCB Designers. Customized software provides userware to capture the data required to produce artwork, variant assembly drawings, and manufacturing data.

Bio:
Leo Dabbs has been using Mentor Graphics software for over thirteen years. Leo worked at Mentor Graphics in Wilsonville, Oregon from 1985 to 1994. From 1994 to present, Leo, an EDS Team Leader, has supported Mentor Graphics applications at Delphi Delco Electronics Systems in Kokomo, Indiana. Leo is a member of the Engineering Information Technology (EIT) group, serves on the Electrical Common Process Team, and serves as the EIT Application Support Engineers Team Leader for Documentation and Training. Mark Baker has been working for EDS for 4 years. In 1996, Mark began his career at the Delphi Delco Electronics Systems account in Kokomo, Indiana. He supports Mentor Graphics applications and develops AMPLEware customization. Mark is part of the Engineering Information Technology (EIT) development group which creates the AMPLEware customizations for the Electrical Common Process.