Elementary, Mr. Watson: High Power: When Physics Becomes Real
The Shaughnessy Report: Watt About Power Integrity?
Global PCB Connections: Understanding Your Fabricator’s Capabilities (or Niche)
Book Excerpt: 'The Printed Circuit Designer's Guide to... Manufacturing Driven Design,' Chapter 4
September 12, 2023 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Excerpt from: The Printed Circuit Designer's Guide to... Manufacturing Driven Design, Chapter 4—Concurrent and Intelligent DFM
Bridging the Gap
If Manufacturing Driven Design is to be considered as the eventual end goal of the larger product manufacturing process, it is worthwhile to consider where the current industry is in terms of adoption of this methodology. I spent a good deal of time in Chapter 3 specifically explaining what DFM is not. In this chapter, we will cover what, and where, DFM currently is. DFM has been evolving away from the rudimentary and manual selection Engineering Rules Files to an automated and intelligent means of assigning manufacturing process requirements based on design characteristics.
It could be suggested that DFM is meant to represent the manufacturers’ interpretations of the design requirements only from a process perspective. This may suggest that DFM should have been viewed as a transitional solution that is better off taken into consideration throughout the design process. Widespread technological adoption of MDD within the PCB industry has been rather cautious as a whole, especially when compared to similar fields which have already adopted an MDD approach. Many within the industry see the evolution of DFM as the end solution, instead of as a transitionary approach to manufacturing. Within late-stage DFM, there are several significant advancements that are now emerging which show promise in bridging the gap between Digital Rule Checks (DRCs) and MDD. These are the use of Concurrent DFM and Intelligent DFM.
Both concurrent and intelligent DFM complement each other within the typical workflow and represent the beginnings of a transition away from a classical DFM, allowing for an improved NPI process.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
EMS Solutions Expands Workforce to Meet Rising Demand for U.S.-Based Electronics Manufacturing
10/17/2025 | EMS SolutionsEMS Solutions, a premier regional provider of Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), has announced several new hires across key departments as the company continues to grow its capabilities and meet increasing customer demand.
Jabil Announces Board Transitions
10/17/2025 | JabilJabil Inc. announced that Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors Mark T. Mondello and Directors Kathleen A. Walters and Jamie Siminoff will not seek re-election at Jabil’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders in January 2026.
StenTech Strengthens Precision Parts Platform with AME Acquisition
10/17/2025 | StenTechStenTech, North America’s leading provider of SMT printing solutions and precision manufacturing, has announced the acquisition of Advanced Metal Etching, Inc. (AME), a recognized specialist in chemically etched and laser cut precision parts.
MKS’ Atotech, ESI to Participate in TPCA Show & IMPACT Conference 2025
10/17/2025 | MKS’ AtotechMKS Inc., a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, announced that its strategic brands Atotech (process chemicals, equipment, software, and services) and ESI (laser systems) will showcase their latest range of leading manufacturing solutions for printed circuit board (PCB) and package substrate manufacturing at the upcoming 26th TPCA Show 2025 to be held at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from 22-24 October 2025.
Primax, Vieureka Partner to Drive Next-Generation EDGE AI
10/17/2025 | PRNewswirePrimax Electronics Ltd., a leading global ODM with AI sensor fusion technologies, and Vieureka Inc., a Japanese edge AI innovator, announced a strategic partnership to develop a next-generation edge AI camera.