Latest posts

What’s New in Valor NPI 2305

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

new features for stackup planning

What’s New in Z-planner V2023.1

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.

PCB Material Selection

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

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

Completed PCBs

Optimizing PCB DFM Guidelines

Typical DFM checklists assume the use of legacy DFM formats. In a world where much of our data transfer is becoming intelligent and seamless, why are we relying on designs from 60 years ago?

Making Parts Part of Manufacturing Driven Design

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.

detectives investigate DFM within a PCB design

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part III

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

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part II

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

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Bowties Part I

It was just another Monday at the office. I had released a design I had been working on for four…

PCB DFM Constraints with Valor NPI

Advanced DFM Constraints management in ADM (Analysis Definition Manager)- Valor NPI 2211

The Analysis Definition Manager (ADM), introduced in Valor NPI 10.0, is a constraints management tool for creating and maintaining sets of Design for Manufacturing DFM rules to be used during the analysis in Valor NPI.