-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLevel Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Master the Art of Communication With Manufacturers
June 30, 2022 | Kyle Burk, KBJ EngineeringEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Design with manufacturing (DWM) emphasizes the important aspect of the true intent of design for manufacturing (DFM). The intent of DFM is to consider the manufacturing process during the entire printed circuit design process starting at the earliest stages of the design cycle, when the project first begins, and continuing to the end of the product lifecycle.
As mentioned in the May issue of Design007 Magazine, design is performed, at times, in a vacuum. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whenever circumstances allow, design should be performed by communicating with all stakeholders throughout the design process, hence the emphasis on the word with in DWM. Communication can occur through personal correspondence such as email and voice conversations or through more formal design meetings—in person or through videoconferencing. No matter which means of communication you prefer, it’s important to communicate early and often with stakeholders involved in the downstream processes as you bring your project to realization.
There’s No ‘I’ in Team
Unlike the word “team,” there is an “I” in design with manufacturing, but that doesn’t make it a singular process. Rather, DWM requires involvement of a cross-functional team with the designer as the key stakeholder who communicates regularly with the team throughout the design process. This communication includes receiving feedback early from other stakeholders and implementing any improvements they suggest.
The higher-level structure of DWM takes effort but yields superior results because it helps the designer avoid delays while lowering manufacturing costs and maintaining a high-quality finished product. For example, deadlines are more likely to be met by communicating early with the assembly team on bill of materials component availability. For those designers using revision control, communicating early can help avoid the costly process of rolling a revision for minor last-minute design changes. Communicating with the fabrication team before beginning assembly can help lower manufacturing costs and turn times by discovering cost reduction opportunities, such as combining similar drill sizes.
DWM seeks to unify all stakeholders of the circuit board design and development process, including the designer, fabricator, and assembler. For components with specific requirements, DWM may also include involving the component manufacturer. The final complete data package sent to the assembler includes drawings, specifications, requirements, ratings, a bill of materials, Gerber, and drill data, etc.
DWM thus requires contributions and feedback from members of the team most familiar with the different documents of the data package. The designer should review preliminary Gerber and drill data with the fabricator to ensure the design is manufacturable. They should also discuss the bill of materials with the assembler to make certain that all components are available for purchase. Each document of the data package should be reviewed by an expert in the corresponding process.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the June 2022 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
ZESTRON Academy Launches 2024 Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics Webinar Series
05/01/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated webinar series on Advanced Packaging & Power Electronics, a webinar series on the latest innovations, cleaning, and corrosion challenges.
NextFlex Convenes the Hybrid Electronics Community at Binghamton University
05/01/2024 | NextFlexBinghamton University hosted the NextFlex hybrid electronics community on April 18 for a day of expert presentations, breakout sessions on technology and manufacturing topics, and networking.
HQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics Debut on the International Stage for Electronics Manufacture at IPC APEX 2024
05/01/2024 | PRNewswireHQ NextPCB of HQ Electronics, a leading Chinese-based multilayer PCB manufacturer and assembly house showcased its industrial prowess on the international stage for the first time at the IPC APEX Expo 2024.
All-Inclusive: PRIDE Industries Helps Employees With Disabilities to Succeed
05/01/2024 | Sandy Gentry, IPCPRIDE Industries is the leading employer of people with disabilities and those with other barriers to employment in the United States, including veterans and former foster youth. The company offers job training, placement, on-the-job coaching, and skills development for independent living. It has held IPC membership since 2000. Read more about this unique business and its connection to the electronics manufacturing industry.
U.S. Companies Invest Heavily in Robots
04/30/2024 | IFRManufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation: total installations of industrial robots rose by 12% and reached 44,303 units in 2023. Number one adopter is the car industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector.