Words of Advice: Fabricator Feedback?

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In a recent Design007 Survey, we asked the following question: What is the most important feedback that you receive after your board is manufactured? Here are just a few of the answers, edited slightly for clarity.

Karl Bates, ConnectPCB: Clearance is less than I expect, copper balance, and thieving.

Chand Basha M, Anora Semiconductor: We could not plate the board to required plating thickness. We had to reduce few pad sizes to adjust the fabrication process. A few mechanicals in the design are altered slightly due to capability issues.

Jim Pierce, Axiom Electronics: Impedance specifications, testing results, and documentation.

05/19/2022 | I-Connect007 Editorial Team

The I-Connect Editorial Team recently spoke with Bob Williams, managing director of Pulsonix. He discussed some of the new features in the upcoming version of the Pulsonix PCB design tool, Version 12, including collision avoidance and other 3D options that allow certain MCAD functions within the ECAD environment.

05/18/2022 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007

Believing that I knew a bit about signal integrity and controlled impedance, I was pleased to take the opportunity to connect with an educational webinar that I hoped would extend my knowledge. In the event I was surprised at how little I actually knew, and the webinar was an excellent learning opportunity. The webinar was introduced and expertly moderated by Anna Brockman of Phoenix Contact in Germany.

05/11/2022 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 Magazine

Not long ago, I caught up with Carl Schattke, CEO of PCB Product Development LLC and a longtime PCB designer, for his thoughts on “designing in a vacuum.” As Carl points out, if you follow PCB design best practices, knowing the identity of your fabricator is not a “must-have.” He also offers some communication tips for discovering the information you do need, including one old-fashioned technique—just asking for it.