-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAll About That Route
Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
Creating the Ideal Data Package
Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
Designing Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
PCB Designers to Vie for Design Champion Title at IPC APEX EXPO 2023
September 13, 2022 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute

For the second consecutive year, IPC is hosting an IPC Design Competition, inviting printed circuit board designers to compete to become the IPC Design Champion of 2023. The IPC Design Competition is composed of two heats – a virtual preliminary heat and an in-person layout final for the three top competitors on January 24, 2023 at IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego, California.
“This year, we're kicking things up a notch with more advanced designs, travel stipends for finalists, and cash prizes,” said Patrick Crawford, manager, design standards and related industry programs. “Anyone with an interest in board design can register, but we’re recommending the hobbyists and professionals alike have several years of experience designing boards and a familiarity with and ability to implement IPC standards requirements. Access to an ECAD tool is a must for the first heat,” added Crawford.
The preliminary heat will be held October 17 to November 18, 2022, allowing designers to use their preferred tools to complete a full board buildup within 25 days. Provided with only a schematic, a BOM (bill of materials) and a scope of work document, competitors will be responsible for returning a Gerber file package of a completed design and judged against their interpretation and implementation of design per IPC standards and general DFX (design for excellence) principles. Three finalists will be invited to participate in the four-hour layout final at IPC APEX EXPO 2023. In the final round, competitors will be given a partially complete Altium Design project file and will have four hours to complete a layout including design rule specification, routing, and component placement.
Registration for the IPC Design Competition is free and closes October 13, 2022. For more information, including eligibility requirements, information on preliminary and final heats and registration form, click here.
About IPC
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its more than 3,000 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry.
Suggested Items
DownStream Acquisition Fits Siemens’ ‘Left-Shift’ Model
06/26/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I recently spoke to DownStream Technologies founder Joe Clark about the company’s acquisition by Siemens. We were later joined by A.J. Incorvaia, Siemens’ senior VP of electronic board systems. Joe discussed how he, Rick Almeida, and Ken Tepper launched the company in the months after 9/11 and how the acquisition came about. A.J. provides some background on the acquisition and explains why the companies’ tools are complementary.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
06/26/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonThere's a story about a young woman preparing a holiday ham. Before putting it in the pan, she cuts off the ends. When asked why, she shrugs and says, "That's how my mom always did it." She asks her mother, who gives the same answer. Eventually, the question reaches Grandma, who laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Siemens Turbocharges Semiconductor and PCB Design Portfolio with Generative and Agentic AI
06/24/2025 | SiemensAt the 2025 Design Automation Conference, Siemens Digital Industries Software today unveiled its AI-enhanced toolset for the EDA design flow.
Cadence AI Autorouter May Transform the Landscape
06/19/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazinePatrick Davis, product management director with Cadence Design Systems, discusses advancements in autorouting technology, including AI. He emphasizes a holistic approach that enhances placement and power distribution before routing. He points out that younger engineers seem more likely to embrace autorouting, while the veteran designers are still wary of giving up too much control. Will AI help autorouters finally gain industry-wide acceptance?
Beyond Design: The Metamorphosis of the PCB Router
06/18/2025 | Barry Olney -- Column: Beyond DesignThe traditional PCB design process is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Routing a complex PCB layout can consume up to 30% of a designer’s time, and addressing this issue is not straightforward. We have all encountered this scenario: You spend hours setting the constraints and finally hit the Go button, only to be surprised by the lack of visual appeal and the obvious flaws in the result.