New PADS PCB layout
New board layouts can be developed from approved schematics, component data, mechanical requirements, stackup information and defined electrical constraints.
Siemens PADS Design Expertise
Siemens PADS PCB Design Services for New and Existing Designs
U.S.-based Siemens PADS PCB design services for new layouts, existing-board revisions, current and legacy projects, component libraries, complex routing and manufacturing release.
Native PADS Design Support
Continue an established PADS design or begin a new PCB layout
911EDA supports Siemens PADS projects ranging from new PCB layouts to revisions of established products and design databases.
Projects can begin with an approved schematic and a new board definition, or with an existing PADS project that requires an engineering change, component update, mechanical revision, routing modification or manufacturing update.
Existing-design work is particularly valuable when a product remains active but the original PCB designer is unavailable, internal resources have changed or the design requires updates without moving immediately to another EDA platform.
Projects requiring broader schematic, library or complete product-design support can be handled through our PCB design services. Platform-independent placement and routing support is described on our PCB layout services page.
Customers considering a change in design environment can also review the other platforms supported on our PCB design tools page.
PADS PCB Design Capabilities
PADS support for new layouts, revisions and established products
Work can cover a complete PCB layout or a targeted assignment within an existing PADS project.
Existing-design revisions
Established PADS boards can be updated for engineering changes, obsolete components, mechanical revisions, circuit updates and routing modifications.
Component placement and routing
Placement and routing can include dense components, BGAs, differential pairs, controlled-impedance signals, power distribution and project-specific design constraints.
Current and legacy project support
Existing PADS source files, libraries and release data can be reviewed to determine what is available and what work is required to continue development.
Library and footprint support
Existing component libraries can be reviewed and updated, and new schematic symbols or PCB footprints can be prepared when required by the project.
Manufacturing release
Approved designs can be prepared with native project files, fabrication data, assembly outputs, drawings and other agreed release documentation.
Existing PADS Projects
PCB revisions without abandoning an established design database
Mature electronic products often remain in production long after the original PCB development is complete. Component obsolescence, enclosure changes, cost reductions, feature updates and manufacturing requirements can all create the need for another board revision.
When usable native PADS files are available, the existing project can be reviewed before deciding how much of the design needs to change. A targeted revision may be more practical than reconstructing the board or converting the complete project to another design system.
The design database, libraries, mechanical information, schematics and prior manufacturing files are evaluated together so the revision scope reflects the condition of the actual project.
Typical PADS revision requirements
- Engineering change orders
- Obsolete-component replacements
- Alternate-component implementation
- Connector changes
- Mechanical revisions
- Board-outline modifications
- Routing corrections
- Power-distribution changes
- Design-rule updates
- Stackup changes
- Footprint corrections
- Library updates
- Cost-reduction changes
- Manufacturing updates
- Documentation revisions
- Release-package updates
PADS PCB Design Workflow
A structured workflow from project review through release
PADS projects can begin with a new design package or an existing database requiring revision, then proceed through board setup, placement, routing, verification and manufacturing release.
PCB Placement and Routing
PADS PCB layout for demanding electrical and mechanical requirements
New and revised layouts are developed around the physical and electrical requirements of the product rather than simply connecting the schematic nets.
Placement must account for component relationships, mechanical restrictions, signal flow, routing access, power distribution, thermal considerations and manufacturing requirements.
Routing requirements may include differential pairs, controlled impedance, matched lengths, BGA breakout, layer restrictions, return-path considerations and fabrication design rules.
Additional information about these services is available on our dedicated PCB layout services page.
Supported layout requirements
- Multilayer PCB layouts
- Dense component placement
- Fine-pitch BGA breakout
- High-speed interfaces
- Differential-pair routing
- Controlled impedance
- Length-matched routing
- Via strategy
- Power and ground planning
- Copper pours and planes
- Return-path planning
- Mechanical keepouts
- Connector constraints
- Assembly access
- Fabrication design rules
- Design-rule verification
Project and Database Review
Existing PADS files are reviewed before revision work begins
Older or inherited PCB projects do not always contain every source file needed for a straightforward revision. Libraries may be incomplete, documentation may not match the latest release and manufacturing data may represent a different revision of the board.
Reviewing the available project database and supporting files first helps determine whether the design can be revised directly or whether library repair, reconstruction or other preparation is required.
- Native PADS project/database
- Schematic source files
- Component libraries
- PCB footprints
- Mechanical drawings
- Stackup documentation
- Existing fabrication files
- Assembly files
- Bill of materials
- Revision history
- ECO documentation
- Marked-up changes
Project Workflow
A clear approach to Siemens PADS PCB design projects
The exact workflow depends on whether the project begins as a new layout or an existing PADS design, but most assignments follow a similar progression.
Project and file review
Available schematics, PADS source files, libraries, mechanical data, stackup information, revision records and design requirements are reviewed.
Scope and database preparation
The required work, file condition, board structure, component data, constraints, review milestones and expected deliverables are defined.
Board setup and component placement
Board geometry, layer structure, mechanical restrictions and component placement are prepared or updated according to the project requirements.
Routing or design revision
New routing or defined engineering changes are completed while maintaining applicable electrical, mechanical and manufacturing requirements.
Verification and customer review
Design-rule checks and project-specific reviews are completed, and identified issues are resolved before final release.
Native files and manufacturing release
The approved PADS database and agreed fabrication, assembly and documentation outputs are prepared for delivery.
PADS Project Inputs
Files and information that help define the PCB design assignment
The required inputs depend on whether the assignment is a new layout, targeted engineering revision, inherited PADS project or platform-conversion effort.
- Native PADS project files
- Current schematic files
- PDF schematics
- Component libraries
- PCB footprint libraries
- Bill of materials
- Component datasheets
- Mechanical drawings
- DXF, DWG or STEP data
- Board outline
- Stackup information
- Controlled-impedance requirements
- Placement and routing constraints
- Fabrication design rules
- Revision or ECO documentation
- Target schedule
Additional guidance is available in our article explaining what files are needed for a PCB design quote .
Project Deliverables
Native PADS files and defined manufacturing outputs
Deliverables are established during project review so the completed design remains usable for future maintenance, revisions and manufacturing.
Applicable native PADS project and PCB files are delivered with the completed assignment rather than limiting the customer to manufacturing exports alone.
Deliverables may include
- Native PADS design database
- Associated library data
- Updated PCB source files
- PDF review files
- Gerber files
- ODB++ data
- NC drill files
- Fabrication drawings
- Assembly drawings
- Pick-and-place data
- Bill of materials support
- Stackup documentation
- Revision documentation
- ECO records
- Release notes
- Other agreed outputs
PADS PCB Design FAQ
Common questions about Siemens PADS design services
Project scope depends on the available source files, board complexity, database condition, required changes and expected release package.
Can 911EDA complete a new PCB layout in Siemens PADS?
Yes. A new PADS layout can begin with an approved schematic, component information, mechanical requirements, stackup information and applicable electrical and manufacturing constraints.
Can 911EDA revise an existing PADS PCB design?
Yes. Existing PADS projects can be reviewed and revised for component changes, engineering updates, obsolete parts, mechanical changes, routing modifications or new manufacturing requirements.
Can you support older or legacy PADS projects?
Yes. Available PADS source files, libraries and manufacturing information can be reviewed to determine their condition and what work may be required before an older project can be revised or released again.
What if some of the original PADS libraries are missing?
The available project data can be reviewed to determine which library items are missing or inconsistent. Depending on the project, symbols, footprints or other library data may need to be corrected or reconstructed before design work continues.
Are native PADS design files included with the project?
Yes. Applicable native PADS design files, associated libraries and the agreed fabrication, assembly and documentation outputs are delivered with the completed project.
Can an existing PADS design be converted to another EDA platform?
Platform-conversion projects can be reviewed when a customer needs to move an existing PADS design into another supported design environment. The source database, libraries and project requirements are reviewed before the conversion scope is defined. See our PCB design tools page for the other supported platforms.
Can a PADS project be quoted before every file is available?
A preliminary review may be possible with partial information. Quote accuracy improves when the PADS database, schematic, mechanical information, component data, required changes, deliverables and schedule are clearly identified.
Can 911EDA support ITAR-controlled PADS projects?
All design work is performed in the United States by U.S. citizens. Do not send export-controlled technical data through the public quote form. Contact 911EDA first to arrange an approved project-transfer method.
Need Siemens PADS PCB design support?
Submit the available PADS files, schematic, revision requirements, expected deliverables and target schedule for review.