Reverse Engineering, by definition, is the generation of design data to replicate or re-create an existing product. Reverse Engineering is a discipline that is the equivalent of an analytical multi-tool, with the ability to completely recreate design data for a product from scratch. Reverse engineering capacity is a healthy marker for any mature industry and a critical component in ensuring system continuity for everything from aerospace and defense to medical, automotive and telecommunications.

When PCBs are initially designed, they are created by a designer who stores the design on some sort of storage medium. Historically, mylar films were used to both store and produce PCBs, but modern techniques have moved away from this method. Regardless of the method used, no factory or location is completely impervious to natural disaster or human error, and designs can become lost or damaged over a product’s lifespan. The loss of original design data for a PCB represents a loss in the ability to control a product’s design and to reproduce the product.

PCB Reverse engineering can also be used to fill in partial data gaps in a circuit assembly data package. For example, if you only have a bill of materials and a physical PCB, ScanCAD can use the board to generate the bare board design data and a schematic.

ScanCAD uses two main methods of reverse engineering PCBs. The first method is a proprietary milling and imaging process that captures high resolution, NIST-calibrated images of each circuit layer on the PCB. The vector or Gerber data is then reconstructed using these images. The gerber data generated in this process serves as the backbone for the rest of the project, allowing us to generate component Pick and Place/Centroid Data, Netlist and Schematic data. This process yields exact copper geometries and identically matches the original PCB’s form, fit and function down to the mil — for every single layer, even inner layers.

The second way we reverse engineer PCBs is a non-destructive method involving the use of Flying Probe Test (FPT) machines for connectivity-only reverse engineering. In this method, the PCB must be depopulated (and loses its functionality) but the bare board is not destroyed. Additionally this method does not allow us to capture inner copper geometries.

Our primary outputs include:

  • Bare Board Fabrication Data (Gerber RS274x, Excellon II Drill, ODB++, IPC-2581)
  • Component and Assembly Data (ASCII Pick and Place/Component Centroid, IPC Netlist)
  • Supporting Documentation (Bill of Materials, Schematic)

This is not an exhaustive list, so if there’s something you’d like us to generate data for that you don’t see here, feel free to ask!

News

PCB Disassembly Services

Sometimes it is necessary to completely depopulate a PCB. This can be for an array of reasons including reverse engineering, testing and quality control. We offer a variety of services to assist you...

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DEC Announcement

DEC Announcement We are excited to announce that ScanCAD International, a leading provider of cross-industry vision-based systems and services, has joined the Defense Electronics Consortium (DEC), a...

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SCI is a partner of USPAE

SCI is a partner of USPAE We are excited to announce that ScanCAD International has recently been accepted as a member of the United States Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE). The U.S....

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Trade shows

ScanCAD participates in many trade shows during the year, whether in ScanCAD's own booth or by way of our distributor/OEM.

Ciudad Juarez Expo and Tech Forum
May 18, 2023
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Location TBD
USM Reps Booth

Aguascalientes Expo and Tech Forum
June 1, 2023
Aguascalientes, Mexico
HOTEL MARRIOT
USM Reps Booth

Querétaro Expo and Tech Forum
July 13, 2023
Querétaro, Mexico
Location TBD
USM Reps Booth

Chihuahua City Expo and Tech Forum
September 7, 2023
Chihuahua City, Mexico
HOTEL SHERATON
USM Reps Booth

Guadalajara Expo and Tech Forum
October 25 and 26, 2023
Chihuahua City, Mexico
EXPO GUADALAJARA
USM Reps Booth

TPCA Show
October 25-27, 2023
Taipei , Taiwan
Microsys Booth

PRODUCTRONICA 2023
November 14-17, 2023
Munich, Germany
GS Electronic Booth

DMC 2023
December 11-14, 2023
Music City Center
Nashville, Tennessee
Booth 314

ScanCAD Gives Back

Giving back is an important part of our company vision. As a global company, bettering the lives of others is central to what makes us most excited. Because of this, ScanCAD gives a percentage of revenue to charities and mission-driven nonprofit organizations that employees are most passionate about supporting.

Privacy Policy

ScanCAD International Inc. is a corporate member of:

U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics
Defense Electronics Consortium