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Beyond Blueprints: Early Involvement Shapes Superior Fab Outcomes
January 11, 2024 | Lea Maurel, ICAPE GroupEstimated reading time: 1 minute
PCB fabrication is the cornerstone of innovation in electronics, transforming intricate circuit designs into crucial PCBs. As technology advances, the demand for reliable PCBs with ever-increasing circuit density surges and highlights the pivotal role of fabrication in shaping the electronics landscape. In this intricate dance between innovation and execution, a symbiotic relationship emerges between designers and fabricators. This forms the core of success.
Effective communication acts as the bridge between design ideation and manufacturing realization, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach. The essence lies in early involvement, where fabricators contribute knowledge from the design's nascent stages, ensuring a seamless transition to functional PCBs. Subsequent exploration will delve into harnessing this symbiotic relationship at key stages, reaping tangible benefits in PCB fabrication.
Early Involvement of Fabricators
Collaboration in Floorplanning
In the intricate dance of PCB fabrication, the initial floorplanning stage emerges as a crucial arena where the collaboration between designers and fabricators sets the stage for success. This collaborative approach brings forth many advantages to shape the trajectory of the entire fabrication process.
First, involving fabricators in floorplanning bridges design intent and manufacturability. Fabricators bring practical insights into the materials and processes that will be employed during manufacturing. This collaboration ensures that the floorplan not only aligns with the functional requirements but also optimizes the placement of components for enhanced manufacturability.
One notable advantage is optimizing component placement for both performance and manufacturability. By integrating the expertise of fabricators, designers can strategically position components to minimize trace lengths. This reduction in trace lengths enhances signal integrity and streamlines the routing process during layout. The result is a PCB that meets design specifications in a manner that is inherently easier and more efficient to fabricate.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the January 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
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PCB007 Magazine February 2024—Our IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show Issue
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BOOK EXCERPT: 'The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... Stackups—The Design within the Design', Chapter 5
01/30/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWe are sharing this sample of 'The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... Stackups—The Design within the Design,' by Bill Hargin, to give our readers a glimpse into the important topics that are covered in this book. He writes, "In my work, I deal with impedance and the entire ecosystem surrounding it daily. Whenever I talk to hardware teams, they often ask me the question of how two fabricators can come back with two totally different designs for the same target impedance.
Nolan’s Notes: Let Your Walls Down
01/22/2024 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesI’m careful about not complaining too much in my life and professional writing. Complaining usually gets you nowhere. Back in college, I heard a quote that has stuck with me: “If you’re going to complain about a problem, have a solution to offer along with your complaint. That’s the way to move things forward.” So pardon me while I lodge a complaint and suggest a change in behavior about PCB fabricators and designers.
Elevating Fabrication: Investing in High-tech Equipment, Processes, and Labor
01/11/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamAidan Salvi is the chief transformation officer for Amitron. As such, he’s visited fabricators in North America, Europe, and Asia in the past few years, and he’s had a ringside seat to the challenges and opportunities facing fabricators around the globe. The I-Connect007 editorial team asked Aidan to share his economic outlook for PCB manufacturing as we head into 2024 and beyond. As he points out, companies are opening their pocketbooks to invest, particularly in high-tech processes.
IPC's PCB Design for Manufacturability
12/28/2023 | IPCTaught by an industry expert with more than 40 years of experience in the field, this 3-week online program, on Feb 20, 2024 | 12:00pm - Mar 7, 2024 | 2:00pm EST, is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce or eliminate design, documentation, and capability issues that often arise when completed PCB designs are sent to the fabricator for production.