Industry: Electronics & Semiconductors

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pick and place machine on PCB SMT line

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

Rigid-Flex Material Considerations

June 28, 2023

Flex and rigid-flex designs refer to a PCB that is partially or entirely constructed using flexible rather than exclusively rigid…

By Patrick Hope
5 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
new features for stackup planning

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
PCB Material Selection

6 material properties that can save you money when designing your PCB stackup

May 9, 2023

Introduction Stackup decisions are critical to every PCB and electronic product, but they don’t always get the attention that they…

By Patrick Hope
4 MIN READ

Making Parts Part of Manufacturing Driven Design

April 4, 2023

When it comes to PCB assembly level MDD, many designers have not concerned themselves with the component manufacturing Bill of Material (BOM). Designers work from a CAD library that has component libraries associated with internal part numbers (IPN) their company uses. The CAD Design Rule Checking software uses those CAD library shapes for its analysis and even, in some cases, the avoidance of where components are placed. There is nothing wrong conceptually with this mentality. However, like all things, the details matter.

By Patrick McGoff
5 MIN READ
detectives investigate DFM within a PCB design

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part III

February 7, 2023

Previously… People often say ‘better late than never’, but I’ve never heard my boss say that. After much difficulty in…

By I. M. Baffled
2 MIN READ

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part II

January 26, 2023

Previously… After receiving our boards and having them pass inspection I breathed a sigh of relief as this project was…

By I. M. Baffled
3 MIN READ