Design for Manufacture Tips

PCB Assembly Design and PCB Design For Manufacturing (DFM)


Designing a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) involves multiple iterations before achieving the perfect functionality. While some designers may overlook Design for Manufacture (DFM) considerations, NOTE Prototyping highly recommends incorporating DFM from the start of the design process. This helps build a functional circuit and PCB Assembly (PCBA) during the first pre-production run, ensuring the easiest PCB manufacturing experience. Just like a house needs a solid foundation, your PCB requires a solid DFM approach.

However, DFM can be intimidating, especially for new electronic designers. To help, our experienced team of engineers have compiled a list of top tips for designers creating electronic circuit boards.


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Assembly and Manufacturing-Ready PCB Design

Top Tips for New Designers

Tip 1
1. Fiducials

Why panel and board fiducials are crucial for accurate placement

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Tip 2
2. Panel Borders

Learn why adding panel borders is essential for manufacturing stability

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Tip 3
3. Panel Breakouts

Considerations for breakouts to optimise panel strength and easy depanelisation

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Tip 4
4. Silk Screen

Create a clean, concise silk screen for easy assembly and readability

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Tip 5
5. Tracks and Pads

Follow best practices for trace and pad design to ensure reliable soldering

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Tip 6
6. Solder Resist

Incorporate solder masks and dams effectively for cleaner soldering

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Tip 7
7. Thermal Relief

Smart thermal relief for through-hole components ensures even solder flow

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Tip 8
8. Part Positioning

Optimise part placement for better manufacturing efficiency and yield

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