VALVET: Hanwha MDB editing with integrated 3D inspection for SMT lines
Inspect Hanwha MDB files, edit manufacturing records, and render Step 3D previews within a single lightweight Windows utility for assembly line validation. VALVET (Verified Assembly & Line Validation Engineering Tool) comes from Zhoel Sherk and targets SMT engineers and PCB assembly technicians, offering a Hanwha MDB Editor, PCB preview, and a Step 3D visualiser. The tool bundles database editing and visual verification to support line validation workflows for engineering teams working with industrial automation.
How VALVET combines database editing and 3D previews for validation
The tool ties equipment data to visual checks: it includes a Hanwha MDB Editor for direct editing of Hanwha manufacturing database files and a PCB Preview that shows board layouts. In addition, the Step 3D Visualization renders 3D Step files for component inspection. Those three elements let engineers compare stored machine records with board and component geometry within a single desktop utility rather than switching between separate viewers and database tools.
Does VALVET affect desktop performance during use?
Designed to run as a lightweight Windows utility: the project is distributed as a portable utility or via source on GitHub, which reduces installation overhead. The interface is described as lightweight, so it runs without a heavyweight installer. In practice, that distribution model and compact UI mean the app integrates into engineering workstations without a full install cycle or long setup, which suits technicians who need a fast, on-demand tool.
Is VALVET safe to use in an engineering environment?
Open-source transparency aids technical review but the editor can alter equipment databases. The project is hosted on GitHub, so engineering calculations and code are visible for inspection. Nevertheless, the presence of a specialized Hanwha MDB Editor implies edits touch equipment configuration files; exercise standard validation procedures before writing changes to live lines. The Step 3D feature is noted as beta, so use caution when relying on that output for final sign-off.
A practical fit for SMT engineers who need Hanwha-specific tooling
VALVET suits technicians and engineers who require direct access to Hanwha MDB files alongside board and 3D previews, providing a compact, inspectable toolset. The main trade-off is that the Step 3D visualiser remains in development, so teams should validate any critical decisions with a stable CAD workflow or additional verification steps.
