Realistic Packages as the Foundation for Reliable Analyses
Many PCB analyses depend entirely on the quality of the underlying geometric data. In practice, however, CAD packages are often oversized, inconsistently modeled, or not consistent across different designs and customers. As a result, clearance, manufacturing, or physical analyses may trigger prematurely, or their results can only be compared to a limited extent.
The Package Expert helps bridge this gap. It supports the assignment of realistic component bodies to components in the design, enabling a consistent digital twin of the assembly—regardless of how complete the original component data may be.
What Is the Package Expert
The Package Expert is an optional, web‑based add‑on service for PCB‑Investigator. It helps users find suitable package outlines (2D) and—where available—3D models for components in the current PCB design and apply them directly to the design.
To do this, the service uses existing sources of component information such as geometry, pin count, package type, description, or manufacturer details, and matches them against an online library of real packages. Users receive well‑founded suggestions without having to research or define each package individually.
Why Realistic Component Bodies Matter
Consistent Clearance and Manufacturing Analyses
Many analyses in PCB‑Investigator are component‑specific. If the packages used in the design do not reflect the real component body, clearance and manufacturing rules become unreliable or lose their significance altogether. Realistic component bodies make it possible to define clearances, keep‑outs, and rules globally and consistently—regardless of the source of the original CAD package.
Improved Physical and Thermal Analyses
Physical simulations also benefit from realistic geometries. Oversized packages distort volume and mass, which in turn can skew results such as thermal calculations. Using realistic component bodies keeps simulations closer to real operating conditions and improves the interpretability of the results.
Who Is the Package Expert Particularly Relevant For?
Users with Existing MPN Information
EMS providers often already have access to the real manufacturer part numbers (MPNs). In these cases, the Package Expert can make targeted use of highly precise package data from the EPL, providing very accurate component bodies and corresponding 3D models.
Users Without Complete MPN Data
The primary benefit of the Package Expert, however, lies with users who currently only have internal part numbers or inconsistent component information available. Even without known MPNs, realistic component bodies can be identified and assigned based on geometry, pin structure, and descriptions. This creates a reliable basis for analyses—even in early development phases or when working with legacy designs.
Normalized Packages Instead of Arbitrary Names
Another key advantage is the normalization of package names. While CAD libraries often use differing or ambiguous naming conventions, the Package Expert applies consistent, traceable package references. This standardization simplifies later analyses, project comparisons, and communication between development, EMS providers, and manufacturing.
Automated Assignment and a Learning System
After opening the plugin in PCB‑Investigator, all components in the design are captured, grouped, and matched against known packages. Suitable 2D outlines and—where available—3D STEP models are proposed for each component.
Manual user decisions can optionally be taken into account on the server side. This gives the system a self‑learning behavior:
- decisions made are stored,
- proven assignments become available more quickly in future projects,
- and all users within a company benefit from the same accumulated experience.
As a result, consistency across time, projects, and users steadily increases.
Added Value Through Integrated 3D Models
Many of the assigned realistic component bodies are directly linked to 3D models. These support, among other things:
- height and collision checks,
- 3D AOI analyses,
- realistic visualization of complex assemblies.
The package assignment therefore results in a complete digital twin of the assembly—in both 2D and 3D.
Result
With the Package Expert, a consistent and realistic digital twin of the populated PCB is created. Instead of isolated CAD packages, robust component bodies become available, making analyses, simulations, and coordination throughout the entire PCB lifecycle more reliable.
The Package Expert is therefore a central tool for anyone who values comparable results, realistic analyses, and long‑term consistency.
