Icons of file folders

Design for manufacturing output files – optimizing engineering to manufacturing efficiency

As PCB design and manufacturing become increasingly complex, the choice of design for manufacturing output files plays a crucial role in streamlining processes, reducing errors, and improving time to market.

Migrating from Gerber to ODB++ CAM Compare

Gerber files have long been the industry standard for PCB design and manufacturing data. However, with the increasing complexity of modern designs, Gerber files have become less effective in conveying all the necessary data required for manufacturing. ODB++ is a newer format that was developed specifically to address the shortcomings of Gerber files. ODB++ is a comprehensive format that includes all the necessary data for manufacturing, including component placement, drill files, and manufacturing details such as the thickness of the PCB and the type of solder mask just to mention a few.

PCBflow Powered by Valor - Full User Walkthrough

A Comprehensive User Walkthrough of PCBflow

At PCBFlow, we’re always striving to provide our customers with the best possible experience. That’s why we’re excited to announce…

IPC APEX 2023 – Thanks to all of our customers and partners, we had a great show!

We can’t believe its already been a few weeks since returning from IPC APEX 2023. Siemens and Boardera started collaborating…

Copper layers on PCB

Old Habits Die Hard

In one of my previous blog posts, I asked the question: Why do designers keep sending Gerber files to their…

Silkscreen – is it really that simple?

A silkscreen contains human- and machine-readable marks on the surface of a PCB that indicates PCB components’ positions and polarity,…

Ensuring PCB design is ready for manufacturing

Skydiving without a parachute – how to enable exchange of manufacturing process requirements

On an August evening in the sky above a California desert, a skydiver leaped from the safety of an airplane…

PCB design tweaks by manufacturers

How to Take Control and Reduce PCB Design Tweaking

In the realm of PCB fabrication, it is commonplace for manufacturers to “tweak” board designs provided by designers in order…

Right-first-time PCB manufacturing

Right the first time

Shift left – Shift Right (1st part out of two) In 1887 the great city of Chicago in response to…