News - Valor DFM Solutions

Strengthening PCB Solder Connections

December 5, 2023

To increasing the overall solder strength within a PCB design, designers should be focusing on two distinct but related factors: The material composition of the solder, and the pad and footprint layouts for individual components. The composition of the solder itself will depend upon the application of the board, the components, construction method and materials within the board, and the overall final board quality. The overall footprint of the component will be dependent upon the components within a BOM and the recommended assembly guidelines of your assemblers. Both of these factors rely on discussions and interactions with your assembly house and leaving these discussions until after the design has been released ultimately limits your assembly options.

By Patrick Hope

6 MIN READ

Exploring Manufacturing Driven Design for automated DFM

Manufacturing Driven Design leverages the intelligence within your PCB Design

November 20, 2023

Intelligent Process-Driven DFM Analysis for PCB Designers Recent component shortages and distribution disruptions have exposed both the fragility of global…

By Patrick Hope

6 MIN READ

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a thinner PCB?

October 10, 2023

Design for manufacturing (DFM) is an essential aspect of the new product introduction (NPI) process, and PCB design is a…

By Kevin Webb

4 MIN READ

How to Optimize PCB Design for the SMT Assembly Process Flow

September 19, 2023

PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design layout optimization is critical for the success of SMT (Surface Mount Technology) assembly. SMT assembly involves placing surface mount components directly onto the surface of the PCB, as opposed to through-hole components, which require holes to be drilled through the PCB. SMT assembly is faster, more precise, and more cost-effective than through-hole assembly, but it requires careful design optimization to ensure a successful assembly process.

By Don Kost

3 MIN READ

Migrating from Gerber to ODB++ CAM Compare

August 29, 2023

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.

By Kevin Webb

3 MIN READ

Manufacturing Driven Design – Taking DFM to the Next Level

August 7, 2023

Manufacturing Driven Design (MDD) is an evolutionary approach to DFM. It enables the effortless exchange of manufacturing process constraints so that an OEM can assess the manufacturability of a design in perfect alignment with their supplier

By Patrick McGoff

2 MIN READ

What is DFM and DFA?

July 18, 2023

DFM and DFA are relevant to almost any product be it assembling bicycles where primarily the product is mechanical components to electronic devices such as cell phones, routers, and computers which require both mechanical and electrical components. The primary focus of this blog will be PCB Design through PCB Fabrication and PCB Assembly within the electronic realm and how it relates to DFM and DFA.

By Kevin Webb

3 MIN READ

What’s New in Valor NPI 2305

June 7, 2023

Valor NPI has recently been updated with version 2305. Included within are many of the revisions and feature updates for this latest version of the software

By Maya Shani

5 MIN READ

What’s New in Z-planner V2023.1

May 30, 2023

Z-planner V2023.1 builds on previous versions by enhancing rigid/flex useability, tighter integration with Xpedition and HyperLynx and the addition of more Mil-Aero materials to the dielectric materials library.

By Don Kost

5 MIN READ