DfR Solutions Announces Enhanced Sherlock Release 3.0

3D functionality, global database, sub-assembly features enable easier analysis of complex boards

DfR Solutions, a leader in quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) solutions for the electronics industry, announced the new 3.0 release of itsAutomated Design Analysis™ software, Sherlock. Sherlock is the first-of-its-kind automated design analysis software for analyzing, grading, and certifying the expected reliability of products at the circuit card assembly level.

The new Sherlock release incorporates several enhancements that enable users to manage complex analyses more easily and faster. The new release includes:

• A global parts database with private cloud storage allows users to store and share parts data across their projects and with other Sherlock users, reducing data entry time and increasing data accuracy.
• 3D FEA model and 3D viewer for ICT and Shock and Vibration analysis incorporate fully 3D elements for the PCB, components, and mount points enabling increased simulation accuracy and flexibility for faster analysis. The FEA 3D viewer allows users to visualize 3D models and results interactively and amplify and rotate results to visualize minute changes. New Multi-core and 64 bit support enable faster data analysis.
• New sub-assembly analysis allows users to attach one or more circuit card subassemblies to the primary circuit card. The software atomatically analyzes the main circuit card and all sub-assemblies during a single ICT or shock and vibration analysis.
• Improved Result Management functionality enables more powerful analysis and flexibility. Users can organize results in any convenient manner with multiple viewers allowing side by side review and comparison of past and present results.
• Embedded Failure Rate models – in addition to a Physics of Failure based analysis, Sherlock 3.0 incorporates MIL HDBK-217 and SSR-332, and custom failure rate models. Sherlock automatically computes a failure rate for each circuit card component based on the part data currently defined in the parts list. This enhanced feature significantly reduces data entry and maintenance across a collection of circuit card assemblies and projects over a period of time.

“Sherlock continues to evolve and improve with valuable input and feedback from our users,” said Craig Hillman, CEO and Managing Partner of DfR Solutions. “The new features in the 3.0 version of Sherlock Automated Design Analysis™ work together to reduce the time and fort in analyzing the increasingly complex circuit boards and components that are used in today’s electronics products.”