BOOK EXCERPT: The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... DFM Essentials, Introduction

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Introduction
One of the biggest challenges facing printed circuit board designers is properly understanding the cost drivers in the PCB manufacturing process, particularly the manufacturing of advanced technology PCBs. 

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is defined as the practice of designing printed circuit boards that meet not only the capabilities of the customer’s assembly manufacturing process, but also the capabilities of the board fabrication process to provide the highest reliability at the lowest possible cost. 

The guidelines offered in this book are based on both ASC recommendations and IPC standards and apply to standard to advanced technology PCBs. UHDI technology may require violating many of the guidelines included within. It is also understood that some of these guidelines may require adjustment based on the material set, fabricator processes, and other design constraints.

While not a substitute for early design engagement with the PCB fabricator, in this book the reader will learn about these cost drivers (from the PCB manufacturer’s perspective) and the design decisions that will impact product reliability and help companies “design for success.”

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