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30 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2019 When you handle your SMT work in-house, it's up to you to navigate any complications you may have with the design process. One of the best ways to eliminate possible production issues is to ensure that you have a manufac- turable design. Thus, there are several factors to keep in mind when reviewing your designs before bringing your production in-house or starting your first run of in-house prototypes. One of the first things to consider when bringing your production in-house is the max- imum size of your boards. Ensure that the machines you're looking into can accommo- date the design that you have in mind, or be ready to adapt that design if you find that to be the more cost-effective option. Most man- ufacturers recommend at least 3 mm of edge First Time With In-house SMT Assembly? Start With a Great Design clearance, so be certain to consider that when working on your boards' layout. Consider using edge rails on the boards if your com- ponents are up to or close to the edge of the boards. Taking care of anticipated issues in the initial steps of the design process can save you from headaches down the line. When designing double-sided boards, include fiducial marks on both sides of your board. These markers will give your machines' imag- ing systems a point of reference to work off of when assembling your boards ensuring accu- rate placements for fewer defects. For the best results, stick to the standard round fiducials of 1–1.3 mm and try to keep away from any marks or via holes on the board that look sim - ilar. It's also best to keep these marks on the The Mannifest Feature Column by Mike Fiorilla, MANNCORP INC.