26 September, 2011 – Munich, Germany and Westford, MA, USA – Zuken has announced its support for the  IPC-2581 electronic data transfer format. IPC-2581 is a generic standard for printed circuit board manufacturing description data and transfer methodology. Zuken is a founding member of a new cross-industry consortium that has been established to support the standard.

The first EDA vendor consortium member to support  IPC-2581, Zuken has introduced the format into its  CR-5000 product line in response to requests from customers and with the view that an independent format is best suited to meet customer requirements.

"We’re happy to see Zuken support the IPC-2581 format and we’re pleased to see the formation of a consortium of vendors and OEMs to promote and encourage adoption of the format," says Mike Green at Lockheed Martin. "We have long believed that independently controlled and maintained standards are the most effective solution for industry-wide needs such as this."

Independent Consortium

The need for an independent format that covers the wide range of needs has been recognized for many years. This led to the recent formation of a consortium for supply-chain adoption of IPC-2581. The consortium’s goal is "to accelerate the adoption of IPC-2581 as an open, neutrally maintained global standard to encourage innovation, improve efficiency and reduce costs".

Zuken’s Commitment

Zuken supports efforts by independent standards bodies such as IPC to create and maintain neutral standards that all may adopt and benefit from.

"Open standards, such as IPC-2581, have always afforded the greatest benefit to the widest audience," says Steve Chidester, Zuken’s Head of Product Marketing. "To support the requirements of our customers and the industry, Zuken will be an active member of the consortium and is committed to supporting this standard as a viable solution for our customers and the industry."

• To find out more about IPC-2581, visit:  www.zuken.com/ipc-2581 and http://pcdandf.com/cms/data-transfer.
• To find out more about Zuken’s software solutions, contact your Zuken representative or visit  www.zuken.com.

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About IPC-2581 Consortium

IPC-2581 Consortium is a group of PCB design and supply chain companies whose collective goal is to enable, facilitate and drive the use of IPC-2581 in the industry. It is devoted to accelerating the adoption of IPC-2581 as an open, neutrally maintained global standard to encourage innovation, improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Members of the IPC-2581 Consortium include OEMs, EDA/DFM/CAM software companies, PCB fabricators, electronics assemblers and test companies. The Consortium is open to any PCB design and supply chain company that is prepared to support or is committed to a roadmap for IPC-2581 adoption.

About IPC-2581

IPC-2581 is a generic standard for printed circuit board assembly products’ manufacturing description data and transfer methodology. Developed in 2004 by IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industry, IPC-2581 is used for transmitting information between a printed circuit board designer and a manufacturing or assembly facility. For nearly every step in the industrial process flow, IPC-2581 offers a standard to help companies ensure superior manufacturability, quality, reliability and consistency in electronics assemblies built for their products.

• To find out more about IPC-2581, visit  http://webstds.ipc.org/2581/2581intro.htm
• For a history of data transfer formats, their origins and current status see  A Short History of Electronic Data Formats.

Links to other articles

• Equipping the PCB Design and Supply Chain with 21st Century Data, by Keith Felton and Hemant Shah, Printed Circuit Design and Fabrication, 28 July 2011
• Users Updating, Adopting IPC Data Transfer Spec by Mike Buetow, Printed Circuit Design and Fabrication, 24 June 2011
• Intelligent Design, by Mike Buetow,  http://www.pcdandf.blogspot.com, 2 August 2011

About Zuken

Zuken is a global provider of leading-edge software and consulting services for electrical and electronic design and manufacturing. Founded in 1976, Zuken has the longest track record of technological innovation and financial stability in the electronic design automation (EDA) software industry. The company’s extensive experience, technological expertise and agility, combine to create world-class software solutions. Zuken’s transparent working practices and integrity in all aspects of business produce long-lasting and successful customer partnerships that make Zuken a reliable long-term business partner.

Zuken is focused on being a long-term innovation and growth partner. The security of choosing Zuken is further reinforced by the company’s people—the foundation of Zuken’s success. Coming from a wide range of industry sectors, specializing in many different disciplines and advanced technologies, Zuken’s people relate to and understand each company’s unique requirements. For more information about the company and its products, visit  www.zuken.com.

For more information contact your local PR person:

Americas
Amy Clements, Zuken USA Inc.	E-mail:  Email Contact
238 Littleton RD, STE 100,  Westford, MA 01886,  USA	Tel: +1 972-691-3284 Twitter:  @ZukenAmericas

Northern & Southern Europe
Sally Wilkes, Zuken Ltd.	E-mail:  Email Contact
1500 Aztec West,  Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4RF,  UK	Tel: +44 1454 207812 Twitter:  @ZukenUK_Scan

Central Europe
Petra Haberer, Zuken GmbH	Email:  Email Contact
Am Soeldnermoos 17,  85399 Hallbergmoos,  Germany	Tel: +49 (0)89 607 696-52 Twitter:  @ZukenCentralEur