6 PCB Design Mistakes Cost You Millions in Contract Manufacturing

When you’re designing a PCB for a contract manufacturer, it’s important to get the design right. Many times, a PCB designer sees nothing but XY data and what the board needs to do. The quality engineers need to cross-check all input files before production.

RF engineers work on high power boards

High Power Radio Frequency Engineering (HPRFE) is a specialized field of electrical engineering that deals with components above the audio frequency band. This field has grown tremendously from its beginnings in radio and wireless telegraphy to its current usage in computer engineering, industrial processing, and several forms of imaging.

RF PCBs are made of a variety of materials, depending on their design needs. Common high-frequency board materials include FR-4 and derivatives. However, other base substrates can provide better electrical performance, such as specialized low-loss materials, such as PTFE, ceramic-filled PTFE, and Hydrocarbon Ceramic. Low-loss materials also provide a more stable dielectric constant, which is a key feature for RF PCBs.

PCB designers make sure everything is where it’s supposed to be

If your PCB design isn’t optimized, it can lead to production delays and cost overruns. In addition, a poorly designed PCB can cause the layout to change, resulting in a board that doesn’t function as intended. This can result in a product recall or expensive rework. For these reasons, it is important to thoroughly review your PCB design.

Printed circuit boards are critical components of any electronic circuit. They control the electrical connections between components and interface the device with the outside world. Even the tiniest design error can result in costly delays and circuit failure. Although modern design tools have made the process more accurate and reproducible, mistakes can still occur in the process.

Quality engineers cross-check input files before submitting for production

Quality engineers, or QEs, are people who use various methods to ensure that a product is of a high quality. They apply quality checks during different stages of production, such as in the development process and before it is submitted for production. Ultimately, this process ensures that the product meets all company and customer standards.

Typically, a Quality Engineer has a degree in industrial or mechanical engineering. Some engineers go on to get master’s degrees in quality assurance and management. In addition to formal education, QEs usually learn on the job. They must be good team players and have strong problem-solving skills.

TDR measurement for timing

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is a tool for measuring the impedance of a network over time. It is typically performed using a device that generates fast pulses. The signals then travel through a transmission medium and are reflected back. The reflected signals are then measured and their amplitudes calculated. The result is a graph of the impedance as a function of time. As a result, TDR provides information about the impedance of a network and its delay as a function of time.

The accuracy of TDR measurements is dependent on the amount of noise in the trace, the pulse duration and the operating voltage. Generally, the higher the Vf, the higher the accuracy. To ensure that TDR measurements are as accurate as possible, test the trace from both ends. In addition, you should vary the pulse level on the output to avoid distorted waveforms.

Communication link between manufacturer and designer

For PCB contract manufacturing, a communication link between the designer and manufacturer is crucial. This is because the two parties must approve the design and any manufacturing constraints. Using a software program such as PCBflow, designers can securely share design and manufacturing rules with manufacturers. This allows for seamless collaboration and a faster handoff process.

PCB design is a complex process that involves thousands of decisions. A simple error in design can cost a company a lot of money, engineering time, and manufacturing time. For this reason, Nistec’s designers perform an internal test on each design before submitting it to the manufacturing division. It is challenging and time-consuming to check each aspect of a PCB design for manufacturability.