GC-PowerStation
GC-PowerStation
Product Functions
- Full CAM Station
- Programs plotters, drill machines, testers
- Powerful contour based DFM
- Robust editing allows quick panelization including venting, thieving and coupons
- ODB++ import option
- Gerber to DXF, DXF to Gerber
Features
- DFM Analysis With over 60 DFM checks, finding issues with signal layers, soldermasks, silkscreen, and plane layers is thorough and accurate. More powerful than simple pass/fail results, many checks distinguish between critical and potential errors. Parameters can be saved for repeat use thus cutting down setup times. Automatic fixing of certain errors can occur with built-in verification to ensure new errors are not created. Multiple DFM Analysis results can be stored and analysis can be performed on partial areas of the board as required.
- Graphical Netlist Compare Comparison of a Gerber extracted netlist and an IPC-D-356 netlist can be performed. Differences are categorized by Open, Short, Missing or Extra and graphically highlighted on screen. A common user interface is used to display DFM errors and Netlist Comparison errors to aid usability. Netlist comparison can also occur between two Gerber netlists allowing a sanity check of data before and after editing.
- Advanced Editing Tools Pad Shaving, Soldermask Adjustments and Silkscreen Clipping are just some of the advanced editing tools included as standard. The powerful editing tools allow yield enhancement to be performed quickly and effectively. Contour based netlist extraction is fast and accurate - providing Bare Board Test information including accessibility.
- Advanced Stencil Editing (Cost Option) The Advanced Stencil Editing option provides users with several efficient stencil editing solutions, including pad splitting, "C" pad creation, heel and toe edits, and automatic pad adjustment for pad-pitch manipulation.
INPUT FORMATS
  • Gerber: RS-274-D, RS-274-X
  • CAD: ASCII Data
  • EDIF 4 0 0
  • NC Drill/Rout: Excellon, Sieb & Meyer
  • DXF/DWG
  • ODB++
  • GraphiCode: .PWK, .CWK, .XWK, .GWK
  • Other: HPGL, Barco (.DPF), FIRE AutoPLOT
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURABILITY AND YIELD ENHANCEMENT
The Design for Manufacturability (DFM) engine searches for fabrication issues and discovers areas where yields may be increased. GraphiCode's Contour Technology produces fast and accurate results for the most complex board designs, including composite data.

GC-PowerStation enhances PCB yield by using a series of built-in intelligent features. A prime example concerns solder masks. A solder mask may easily be created through editing commands but GC-PowerStation goes beyond the basics to improve the quality of the solder mask.

Using the "Enhance Solder Mask" function, GC-PowerStation prevents solder bridging by increasing masks in areas where pads are so close to nearby tracks that their copper would be exposed with specified mask tolerances. "Enhance Solder Mask" and other automated features effortlessly bring new quality and enhanced yield to the fabrication process.
GC-POWERSTATION APPLICATIONS
- Bare-board fabrication
- Bare-board test preparation
- Design proofing
- Design modification
GC-PowerStation delivers performance and features unmatched in the industry. It also reduces manufacturing production expenses. And GC-PowerStation's off-line verification capabilities ensure efficient workflow to manufacturing equipment.
GC-POWERSTATION APPLICATIONS
- Bare-board fabrication
- Bare-board test preparation
- Design proofing
- Design modification
- Photo-plot artwork generation
- Sales quoting
NETLIST EXTRACTION
GC-PowerStation excels at netlist extraction and test point selection. Applying GraphiCode's proprietary Contour Technology, GC-PowerStation succeeds where other CAM Software falters. Using GC-PowerStation, composite layers, sketched data, and multiple ground planes may be extracted with ease. Netlist output files include IPC-D-350 and IPC-D-356(A) along with direct machine formats.
VALUE
GC-PowerStation delivers performance and features unmatched in the industry. It also reduces manufacturing production expenses. GC-PowerStation runs on the desktop PC platform, eliminating the need to run expensive and difficult to use workstations. And GC-PowerStation's off-line verification capabilities ensure efficient workflow to manufacturing equipment.
FLEXIBILITY
GC-PowerStation couples simplicity with flexibility. The user interface is customizable-presenting the information you need exactly where you want to see it. Multiple views, customize hotkeys, and toolbars allow full user control over the interface. You can even create new functionality with GraphiCode's GC-BASIC programming language.
PERFORMANCE
Engineered to process large files, GC-PowerStation dramatically increases turnaround on even the most complex jobs. GC-PowerStation also works smarter. A powerful scripting capability automates repetitive tasks and standard operations to bring new efficiencies to your process.

What's new

Version 23.2 October 10

Import BOM overhaul, Lock Layers, and many minor improvments and bug fixes

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Version 23.1 March 21 2023

Many Bug fixes, speed enhancements and usability improvements

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Version 22.2 October 13 2022

New larger working area.

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Version 22.1 April 19 2022 Read More
Version 21.2 November 4 2021 Read More
Version 21.1 March 3 2021

Support for Gerber X3
Updates to IPC356 input
Better dialog handling

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Version 20.3 November 5 2020

Support for latest DXF and DWG format
Streamlined startup

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Version 20.2 September 1 2020

Updated DFM Report function

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Version 20.1 February 28 2020 Read More
Version 19.2 October 1 2019
  • Licensing overhaul
  • Automatic Bed Size Adjustment
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Version 19.1 May 8 2019
  • Upgrade to Merge CAD centroids
  • Support for XNC format
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Version 18.3 December 4 2018

FLEX PCB panelizing
Improved Text

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Version 18.2 June 5 2018 Read More
Version 18.1 February 8 2018 Read More
Version 17.3 August 25 2017 Read More
Version 17.2 April 12 2017
  • Insert Rout Tabs
    *Measure from Grip points
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Version 17.1 January 23 2017
  • Jump to Arc Center
  • Improved C Pad algorithm
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Version 16.4 November 1 2016 Read More
Version 16.3 July 28 2016
  • Remove Material
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Version 16.2 April 25 2016 Read More
Version 16.1 January 5 2016 Read More
Version 15.4 October 26 2015
  • Convert off-angle pads to Oblongs
  • Additional Plugin utilities
  • Printing Enhancements
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Version 15.3 July 30 2015
  • Adaptive Etch Compensation
  • Step Graduation pattern creation
  • Identify Copper Updates
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Version 15.2 April 24 2015

*Stencil Editing
*Rounding Corners
*Network File locking
*QR Codes

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Version 15.1 January 20 2015
  • Integrated Stencil Creation *
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Version 14.4 October 21 2014
  • Virtual to Real copies
  • Reassign Part Datum points
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Version 14.3 July 11 2014

Gerber X2 Support
Select based on attributes
Auto update layer properties

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Version 14.2 April 18 2014

Input of IPC 2581A format supported

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Version 14.1 January 22 2014
  • PADS ASCII Import
  • Selection within an area
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Version 13.4 October 10 2013

DXF Step and Repeat support
EMF file output

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Version 13.3 July 18 2013

*More Undo for Editing functions

  • Added Redo function
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Version 13.2 April 17 2013
  • Panelization tool
  • Support for AutoCAD 2013
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Version 13.1 January 10 2013
  • 64 bit Build released
  • Dimensioning and Markup
  • Enhanced Measure
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Version 12.4 October 15 2012
  • Additional automation tools
  • Easier and clearer demo process
  • Compatibility between 32bit and 64bit
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Version 12.3 July 17 2012
  • Copper Balancing added
  • New automation tools
  • 64 bit build into Beta
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Version 12.2 April 18 2012
  • RS-274X import
  • On Line Help Updated
  • Fixed various customer reported issues
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Version 12.1 January 17 2012
  • Reordering Data streamlined
  • Fixed various customer reported issues
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Version 11.4 September 28 2011
  • New Licensing
  • New GraphiCode Flex Server
  • Streamlined Trial version
  • Fixed various customer reported issues
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Version 11.3 July 22 2011 Read More
Version 11.2 April 14 2011 Read More
Version 11.1 January 11 2011 Read More
Version 10.4 October 5 2010 Read More
Version 10.3 July 8 2010 Read More
Version 10.2 April 5 2010 Read More
Version 10.1 January 22 2010 Read More
Version 9.4 October 9 2009 Read More