-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueWet Process Control
In this issue, we examine wet processes and how to obtain a better degree of control that allows usable data to guide our decisions and produce consistently higher-quality products.
Don’t Just Survive, Thrive
If we are to be relevant and prosper during these next critical decades in electronics, we must do more than survive. As an industry, we can and must thrive. In this issue, our contributors explore these concepts meant to help you take your business to the next level.
Material Matters
Materials management is nuanced, multifaceted, and requires a holistic systems approach for business success. When building high mix, low volume, and high technology, managing materials and overall cost containment are even greater challenges.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
The Sum of All Parts: Planning for a First-Time-Right PCB Design
May 17, 2016 | Sam Sangani, PNC Inc.Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
![](https://iconnect007.com/application/files/8416/3121/8577/Sam_Sangani.jpg)
The development of highly integrated and high-speed, chip-based circuit boards brings several functional benefits. But at the same time, these can introduce additional challenges to the actual board itself. Therefore, developing an effective plan for designing, developing, testing and producing the final PCBs is a good business practice.
Lack of communication between PCB designers and PCB fabricators is one of the most significant issues we have faced in our industry. This has led to disconnect in the mutual understanding between these two entities. Subsequently, a scenario has arisen where manufacturers lack the understanding of design guidelines and some designers are not always aware of the manufacturing processes and capabilities of a PCB manufacturer during their design/layout phase.
If we are going to succeed—particularly at the domestic level—we need to open up channels of communication.
Several steps in the PCB design and manufacturing process include areas that allow enhancements that would improve the ease with which boards can be manufactured and decrease the loss rate. Many elements of the process, from the design process to final board test, should be reviewed for improvements that can affect the board’s manufacturability. The ideal way to negate the aforementioned drawbacks would be to design and produce under one roof but, until such a time where this is possible on a large scale, certain measures can be taken to optimize the process as much as possible.
Here are five reasons why designers and PCB manufacturers need to communicate:
1. Critical tolerances vs. yield
With regard to determining what the process can and cannot do, this is a very important factor which affects yield and cost associated in PCB manufacturing.
2. Component placement and solderability
A variation in component density over a PCB surface impacts the uniformity of the soldering of components. Very dense areas may not get enough heat during the reflow process and could result in cold solder joints.
3. Size and uniformity
As the surface area of a PCB gets larger, it brings unwanted irregularities in manufacturing such as the registration of via to pad and warpage on the board surface, making SMT pads or BGA balls unconnected to the PCB. If the proper thickness and stack-up design are taken into account in the initial stages, it would help resolve these types of issues earlier.
4. Transparency
Designers and fabricators working side by side on R&D projects opens up doors not only for the parties involved, but also makes an overall contribution to the industry. Stay up-to-date on new development in processes and technologies. The industry—especially now—is changing rapidly.
5. Long-term business relationships
Once a designer and the PCB manufacturer are actively engaged and get know each other, designers are less likely to try to switch PCB suppliers and start building their relations from scratch. Instead, they can keep building better products when they better understand each other.
Fortunately, communications are moving in the right direction. More and more designers and board houses are starting to engage in productive discussions. Designers are reaching out for plant tours and are developing an interest in the manufacturing process. Golden advice to designers: Do not miss open houses and seminars organized by PCB vendors. Golden advice to PCB suppliers: Do your best to understand designers’ needs.
Sam Sangani is president and CEO of PNC Inc.
Suggested Items
Eutect Overcomes Panel Soldering Challenges with New Gripper
09/06/2024 | Eutect GmbHThe selective soldering of assemblies in panels is not a real challenge. However, if you need to solder relatively large panels with towering components, specialists like those at Eutect GmbH have to step up to the plate.
AIM Solder Appoints Kevin Kwan as Business Development Manager in Asia
09/06/2024 | AIM SolderAIM Solder, a global leader in solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kevin Kwan as Business Development Manager for the Asian market.
Solder Printing: A 1:1 Ratio of Technical and Creative
09/03/2024 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesWhen things get technical, I’m in my happy place. It’s why I work in technology in the first place. I also happen to enjoy creative pursuits, and my real happy place is when both happen at the same time. Over the years, it seems that most of us engaged in printed circuit design and manufacturing are similarly wired. I don’t think I’m alone in stating that finding a creative solution to a technical problem is one of the highlights of our workday. We get bonus points if the solution is particularly simple or uncomplicated.
AIM to Present on Ultra-Miniature Assembly for Mini/MicroLEDs at MicroLED Connect
09/03/2024 | AIMAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming MicroLED Connect Conference and Exhibition taking place September 25-26 in the Conference Center at High Tech Campus Eindhoven in The Netherlands.
STARTEAM GLOBAL Announces Strategic Partnerships with Notion Systems and Peters Group
09/03/2024 | STARTEAM GLOBALSTARTEAM GLOBAL, an established printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer with over 35 years of expertise, is pleased to announce new strategic partnerships with two German corporations: Notion Systems GmbH, a manufacturer of inkjet printing systems for functional materials, and Lackwerke Peters GmbH & Co. KG, also known as Peters Group, a full-range supplier of coating materials for electronics and PCBs worldwide.