Global PCB Connections: Following DFM Rules Leads to Better Boards
Elementary Mr. Watson: How to Reinvent Your Professional Journey
Fresh PCB Concepts: PCB Plating Process Overview
IPC Design Competition Winner Announced at IPC APEX EXPO 2022
February 10, 2022 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The inaugural IPC Design Competition at IPC APEX EXPO 2022 resulted in a win for Rafal Przeslawski, Xilinx, whose printed circuit board design earned him the top prize.
In late 2021, printed board design engineers from around the world were invited to compete in IPC’s inaugural PCB Design Competition. Intended to be accessible for anyone with a design tool and an internet connection, this new competition would challenge designers in two heats: an at-home, 30-day full board build, and an ‘in-person’ four-hour routing challenge at IPC APEX EXPO 2022.
In the preliminary heat, 14 designers from all corners of the globe – from India to the Netherlands; Oregon to the United Kingdom – were provided with a schematic, a component BOM, and scope of work document, and were asked to design a board that was compliant with IPC’s various board design standards. The given schematic was representative of a motor control board that included features intended to test the competitors’ understanding of various design methodologies.
Out of 14 preliminary competitors, three finalists were chosen to compete at the finals: Elliot Wakefield, a hobbyist based in the United States, Nick Wallis, an electronics engineer at Tribosonics in the United Kingdom, and Rafal Przeslawski, a hardware development engineer at Xilinx based in Germany.
The finals heat took place at IPC APEX EXPO 2022. The competitors were challenged to complete the design of a nearly complete board – missing only design rules, routing, and a few components left in the margins. “With only four hours to do so, completing the board was a careful balance of thoughtful component placement optimization and design rule definition, and brass-tacks routing,” explained Patrick Crawford, manager, design standards and related industry programs. “The board design was that of a functional, programmable blinky-badge that was actually fabricated and on display at IPC APEX EXPO. In other words, unlike the preliminary heat, the final design was representative of a real-world, functional application.”
At the end of the four hours, each competitor delivered their project file to the judges, who deliberated for two hours, ultimately crowning Rafal Przeslawski as the IPC Design Competition 2022 champion.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Spotlight on PEDC: Filbert Arzola
12/19/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineIPC and FED have teamed up to create a new PCB design conference in Vienna, Austria. The Pan-European Electronics Design Conference (PEDC) takes place Jan. 29-30 at the NH Danube City hotel in Vienna. Raytheon’s Filbert Arzola is presenting “Engineering and Adapting Model-based PCB Design in Step with Sustainability and Digital Twins” at PEDC. I asked Filbert to discuss what attendees can expect from his class.
Avnet Insights: Engineers Outline Opportunity for AI
12/19/2024 | AvnetFor the fourth consecutive year, Avnet, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVT) will release its Avnet Insights survey, which has been keeping a pulse on how engineers are responding to the market since 2021. This year’s survey examines technology’s new frontier: Artificial Intelligence, and the promise – and challenges – it presents for product design.
IPC/WHMA Launches Groundbreaking Online Course on Wire Harness Design
12/18/2024 | IPCIPC/WHMA is excited to announce the launch of its new online instructor-led training course, "Introduction to Wire Harness Design I," available now through the IPC EDGE Learning Management System.
The Companion Guide to 'Designing for Reality' by Matt Stevenson Now Available
12/19/2024 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the release of "The Companion Guide to...Designing for Reality," written by Matt Stevenson of ASC Sunstone Circuits. This essential resource builds on the foundational insights presented in "The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... Designing for Reality" and delivers advanced strategies for scaling PCB production.
Global PCB Connections: Following DFM Rules Leads to Better Boards
12/18/2024 | Jerome Larez -- Column: Global PCB ConnectionsAs a PCB field applications engineer, ensuring smooth communication between PCB designers and fabricators is one of my frequent challenges. A critical part of that dialogue is design for manufacturing (DFM). Many designers, even experienced ones, often misunderstand or overlook important DFM considerations. They may confuse design rules with manufacturing minimums, leading to technically feasible designs that are difficult or costly to produce. In this column, I will clarify some common DFM guidelines and help designers understand the difference between “design rules” and “minimums” while sharing best practices that will simplify the production process and ensure the highest quality PCB.