Updated PCB design solution, CADSTAR Express, offers increased functionality and ease-of-use

Free web download includes Do-It-Yourself manual

September 4, 2003 – Bristol, England and Westford, MA, USA - Zuken has announced the release of a new version of CADSTAR Express, the free web download of its desktop printed circuit board (PCB) design solution, CADSTAR. CADSTAR Express is a fully functional version of CADSTAR 6.0, and now has increased pin and component limits of 300 and 50 respectively. New to this release of CADSTAR Express is a Do-It-Yourself manual that guides the new user through two complete PCB design processes, from schematic capture through to output for manufacturing. Each step in the manual is supported by video files.

CADSTAR Express now also gives the user the opportunity to experience a portion of CADSTAR Exchange, a 100,000+ component on-line library. Each component in the library has a link to an on-line datasheet, produced by the CADSTAR Datasheet Publisher.

CADSTAR Express is a suite of tools that provides a complete PCB design solution from schematic capture to manufacturing output within a single, easy-to-use graphical user interface. Menus can be customized for fast access to frequently used tools. Other advanced features include board dimensioning tools and an on-line library for symbols, components and parts. It can be used to layout boards up to 100 square meters and is suitable for analog or digital designs for simple, single layer or high density, multi-layer PCBs.

CADSTAR Express has been improved in order to emphasize the ease-of-use of CADSTAR, and to give more companies, designers and educational institutions access to the world’s most comprehensive PC-based PCB design software. By making the software freely available, Zuken aims to inspire young engineers to develop their interest and skills in PCB design and to attract new talent into this area.

CADSTAR 6.0 is Zuken’s Windows-based desktop PCB Design solution, easy-to-use, ready-to-use, and easily integrated into a company’s current design environment while preserving legacy data. Spanning traditional design areas such as schematic capture, placement, routing, library creation and management, signal integrity, EMC analysis, and production of manufacturing data, CADSTAR also delivers powerful add-on technology through its 100,000+ component internet libraries. It also offers a 3D design tool, automatic and high-speed routing, variant management and more. CADSTAR provides the productivity of high-end solutions at low-end prices. It is completely scaleable, allowing customers to grow with their market without the need to change EDA technology.

CADSTAR Express is available now for free download at www.cadstarworld.com/express.

For additional information on CADSTAR 6.0, visit www.cadstarworld.com/features_cad6.asp.

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About Zuken:
Established in 1976, Zuken has evolved into a provider of solutions that maximize the efficiency of the design and manufacturing processes of electronics companies around the world. Zuken holds a leading global share of the PCB/MCM/HIC software market in the field of electronic design automation (EDA). In addition to its longstanding experience as a provider of innovative solutions for PCB design, Zuken’s expanded portfolio encompasses proven solutions for the development of information technology (IT) infrastructures. Listed on Level 1 of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company is headquartered in Japan and has development, sales and support centers in 10 countries including the US, Germany, UK and France. Zuken's customers include the world's top 30 electronics manufacturers from automotive to aerospace, communications to consumer electronics, and medical to military.