Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Dream First, Details Later
Facing the Future: Time for Real Talk, Early and Often, Between Design and Fabrication
Happy’s Essential Skills: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, Part 2
June 30, 2016 | Happy HoldenEstimated reading time: 9 minutes
Editor's Note: This is the second part of Happy’s Essential Skills: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly column, CLICK HERE for the first part.
The Role of Metrics For Predicting and Planning
Metrics are data and statistically backed measures, such as T-downs, Connectivity, Wiring Demand, Wd. These measures can be density, connectivity or in this context, producibility. These measures are the basis for predicting and planning. When used in the design process, there are three categories of measures applied to a product. Only the metrics can be shared by all in the design team. The non-metrics provide little assistance in design:
Metrics
* Metrics: Both the product and the process are measured by physical data using statistical process control (SPC) and total quality management (TQM) techniques. (Predictive Engineering Process)
* Figure of Merit: Both the product and the process are scored by linear equations developed by consensus expert opinion. (Expert Opinion Process)
Non-Metrics
* Opinion: Opinion, albeit from an expert, is applied after or concurrent with design. (Manufacturing Engineering Inspection Process)
* No Opinions: No attempt to inspect or improve the design is done during the specification, partitioning, or design stage. (Over The Wall Process)
Metrics also establish a common language that links manufacturing to design. The "producibility scores" form a non-opinionated basis that allows a team approach that results in a quality, cost competitive product (Figure 8). Metrics allows design to progress through the “Engineering Design Ages.”
- Age of Anarchy (60%): anything goes.
- Age of folklore (25%): Wisdom is passed from one generation to another, over pizza and beer.
- Age of Methodology (10%): The way DFM is to be engineered is documented, and is actually done that way, using Figures of Merit.
- Age of Metrics (4%): Both the product and the process are measured in standard ways.
- Age of Engineering (1%): Productivity is achieve through continuous quality improvement, much like it is in manufacturing.
Figure 8: The benefits of metrics as a common design language.
The strategy in applying these measures is shown in Figures 9 and 10. The analysis process is unique to every individual and company, but certain conditions have to be met and considered if the product is going to be successful. If the score meets producibility requirements then select this approach, if not, then evaluate other opportunities and repeat the process. In the rest of this column, measures and metrics will be introduced that provide insight for layout, fabrication and assembly planning.
Non-Metrics
It is always preferred to have metrics when discussing producibility. But if metrics are not available, then the opinions of experts are better than nothing (no opinions). The problem with opinions is that they are difficult to defend and explain and, when used in conjunction with producibility, many times they vary with each person. Sometimes, the opinion process is implemented for good intentions by taking experienced production experts and having them review a new design. This is the expert opinion process and although it is sometimes successful, it is difficult to replicate and many times results in building barriers between manufacturing and design. That is why the Figure Of Merit Process is so popular. For a small amount of work by experts it produces a scoring procedure that can be used and understood by all. This was detailed in the last column, #9.
Figure 9: Process using “use of measures and metrics” to match a company’s design process to its manufacturing process and support culture.
Figure 10: Process to develop a Manufacturability Metric as a substitute for opinions.
Page 1 of 3
Share on:
Suggested Items
Digital Twin Concept in Copper Electroplating Process Performance
07/11/2025 | Aga Franczak, Robrecht Belis, Elsyca N.V.PCB manufacturing involves transforming a design into a physical board while meeting specific requirements. Understanding these design specifications is crucial, as they directly impact the PCB's fabrication process, performance, and yield rate. One key design specification is copper thieving—the addition of “dummy” pads across the surface that are plated along with the features designed on the outer layers. The purpose of the process is to provide a uniform distribution of copper across the outer layers to make the plating current density and plating in the holes more uniform.
Meet the Author Podcast: Martyn Gaudion Unpacks the Secrets of High-Speed PCB Design
07/10/2025 | I-Connect007In this special Meet the Author episode of the On the Line with… podcast, Nolan Johnson sits down with Martyn Gaudion, signal integrity expert, managing director of Polar Instruments, and three-time author in I-Connect007’s popular The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to... series.
Showing Some Constraint: Design007 Magazine July 2025
07/10/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamA robust design constraint strategy balances dozens of electrical and manufacturing trade-offs. This month, we focus on design constraints—the requirements, challenges, and best practices for setting up the right constraint strategy.
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Rein in Your Design Constraints
07/10/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonI remember the long hours spent at the light table, carefully laying down black tape to shape each trace, cutting and aligning pads with surgical precision on sheets of Mylar. I often went home with nicks on my fingers from the X-Acto knives and bits of tape all over me. It was as much an art form as it was an engineering task—tactile and methodical, requiring the patience of a sculptor. A lot has changed in PCB design over the years.
TTCI Joins Printed Circuit Engineering Association to Strengthen Design-to-Test Collaboration and Workforce Development
07/09/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a leading provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, is proud to announce its membership in the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA), further expanding the company’s efforts to support cross-functional collaboration, industry standards, and technical education in the printed circuit design and manufacturing community.