PCB DFM - Valor DFM Solutions

PCB assembly process and what a PCB librarian needs to know

The PCB assembly process: The 4 Things a PCB librarian must know

April 16, 2024

PCB assembly is one of the main fields that a good PCB librarian needs to know in detail, as it is the point where your board components interact with your final design. Understanding this interaction and the PCB assembly process in general is vital for your initial library creation and to ensure a seamless Design for Manufacturing strategy early in your design process.

By Bill Ji

6 MIN READ

Manufacturing Supply chain within the digital factory enables PCB DFM

Manufacturing supply chain resilience

March 26, 2024

PCB Components and the flexibility of manufacturing supply chain resilience involves alternate parts form an important part of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) within the industry. Leveraging a digital twin allows …

By Patrick McGoff

4 MIN READ

Are you normal?

March 5, 2024

Siemens recently commissioned a survey through Aberdeen Research looking at the state of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) industry within North America and Europe to learn about the challenges the PCB industry sees. It covered the technologies they are implementing, the general timelines they are given, and to learn how Design for Manufacturing (DFM) strategies and software are being leveraged to help meet a company’s overall goals

By Patrick McGoff

4 MIN READ

are you still verifying your prototype visually?

Are you still verifying your PCB prototype visually?

February 13, 2024

After completing component placement, it may take months for designer to complete the routing process and finish the entire PCB layout. At this point the CAM data can then be handed out to manufacturers for PCB manufacturing and assembly. After investing this much time and effort, you would probably expect the final prototype to be built as expected, with high quality and reliability.

By Bill Ji

4 MIN READ

A poorly validated alternative part is placed on its toeprint

Are your alternative parts well validated before release

January 18, 2024

In alternate part selection, many aspects need to be considered: electrical function, physically fit, supply chain flexibility, cost, etc. Every aspect is important during alternative part selection, but realistically, electrical and physical fit are the main prerequisites when choosing a new alternative part. alternative parts well validated

By Bill Ji

4 MIN READ

What’s New in Valor NPI 2311

December 19, 2023

Each new Valor NPI release brings exciting features and improvements, and Valor NPI version 2311 is no different. One of the most prominent recent changes for release 2311 is the 3D board viewer. This allows users to toggle between the typical 2-D board view, and a 3-D board view. While less visually prominent, the addition of high-risk component detection is no less impactful among the overall improvements. The Valor Parts Library now associates individual components with a manufacturing risk value. This allows you to consider at-a-glance relative yield values based on component choices. Valor NPI version 2311 also facilitates the placement of XD components in a zigzag array.

By Maya Shani

4 MIN READ

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

Stencil design considerations during library cell design

October 31, 2023

Library cell design seems to be an easy part of the entire design process, but in reality, it can be a complicated part of this process, as it involves many different aspects to consider. It should not only comply with the electrical needs, but also needs to meet manufacturing requirements. Solder paste printing is one of the manufacturing processes that may need considerations during your library cell creation. To be more straightforward, the stencil design is something need to be considered during library cell design.

By Bill Ji

4 MIN READ