The Right Approach: Get Ready for ISO 9001 Version 6
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Still Broke: Walmart’s Remarkable Transformation'
Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
The Designer and Manufacturer Must Be in Sync
February 7, 2024 | Dana Korf, Korf ConsultancyEstimated reading time: 1 minute
“Why can’t we all just get along?”—Henry Liberman, TEDx
It’s no industry secret that most PCB data packages sent to fabricators from designers cannot be built as-is. The finished boards often seem to work, despite a factory estimating what the designer wanted vs. what the documentation showed, then jointly rectifying issues through lengthy technical query (TQ) cycles. In general, everyone seems to be satisfied with this process, so why do we need to improve the designer/manufacturer relationship? Why is the best solution a strong designer/manufacturer relationship, and is it even possible?
Let’s perform a traditional root cause analysis and define the function of a designer vs. a manufacturer. Oxford Language definitions:
Designer: A person who plans the form, look, or workings of something before its being made or built, typically by drawing it in detail.
Manufacturer: A person or company that makes goods for sale.
This seems pretty straightforward. The manufacturer builds the product based on the supplied documentation. Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s front-end engineering team typically completes a portion of the design after the data package is received because it can’t be built as submitted. The manufacturer must update the design to maximize yield, meet cost targets, ensure reliability, and meet all performance requirements.
Typical design functions performed by the manufacturer include creating a material stackup that meets the specified mechanical thicknesses/tolerances, material selection, line width/spacing modification to generate the specified impedance/tolerance, creating the assembly array/panel design/documentation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as UL.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the January 2024 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Launches New Podcast Series on Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDI)
09/12/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the debut of its latest On the Line With... podcast series, which shines a spotlight on one of the most important emerging innovations in electronics manufacturing: Ultra-High-Density Interconnect (UHDI).
I-Connect007 Launches New Podcast Series on Ultra High Density Interconnect (UHDI)
09/10/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the debut of its latest podcast series, which shines a spotlight on one of the most important emerging innovations in electronics manufacturing: Ultra-High-Density Interconnect (UHDI). The series kicks off with Episode One, “Ultra HDI: What does it mean to people? Why would they want it?” Host Nolan Johnson is joined by guest expert John Johnson, Director of Quality and Advanced Technology at American Standard Circuits (ASC).
Setting Design Constraints Effectively
07/31/2025 | Stephen V. Chavez, Siemens EDAPCB design requires controlling energy within the medium of a PCB. The manner in which we control the chaos of energy is by implementing and utilizing physical and electrical rules, known as constraints, along with a specific structure and material(s) that make up what is known as the foundation of the design. These rules govern everything within the PCB structure and generally fall into two camps: performance and manufacturability. Setting this foundation correctly is extremely important and the key to success.
It’s Only Common Sense: How to Win Back Lost Customers
07/28/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseLosing customers is inevitable. However, while it’s tempting to focus solely on acquiring new customers, it’s significantly valuable to regain lost customers. I call it bringing home the orphans, and it requires understanding their needs, addressing their concerns, and reestablishing trust.
The Shaughnessy Report: Showing Some Constraint
07/14/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy -- Column: The Shaughnessy ReportWhen we first decided to cover strategies for setting PCB design constraints, one designer we spoke with said, “They’re not really constraints; they’re more like guardrails that prevent your design from going off a cliff.”