Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1408619
SEPTEMBER 2021 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 11 tor they use, and the benefits of today's EDA tools and intelligent data transfer formats. And Patrick McGoff of Siemens EDA outlines how DFM analysis tools can shrink the distance between flex designers and manufacturers— and the design cycle. We have a collection of columns from our regular contributors Barry Olney, Phil Kin- ner, Kelly Dack, Matt Stevenson, Tara Dunn, and Joe Fjelstad. We also have another article by American Standard Circuits' Anaya Vardya that continues his "DFM 101" series. is month, Anaya focuses on layer stackup. So, check out this month's features; you might learn exactly what you need to know to establish a tight relationship with your fabri- cator. And once you're in a true collaborative relationship with your fabricator, you start to see the benefits of the incremental changes described by X = X c – 1. It's almost the end of summer, and it's going to be a busy fall. We hope to see you at PCB West, SMTA International, PCB Carolina, and IPC APEX EXPO. Let's hold a good thought that these shows are permitted to take place as live, in-person events. See you next month! DESIGN007 Andy Shaughnessy is managing editor of Design007 Magazine. He has been covering PCB design for 20 years. He can be reached by clicking here. Aer poring over the survey results, we real- ized that many of our readers are in rocky rela- tionships—if you can call them relationships— with their chosen fabricators. ere's not only a lack of collaboration, but sometimes no com- munication until that fateful 5:30 p.m. Friday phone call from the board shop putting a job on hold. A successful design almost feels like an accident at that point. Fortunately, some design teams work with their manufacturers as true partners. We dis- covered some designers and fabricators who have their process locked in, akin to the gears in a fine Swiss watch. So, for this issue, we asked a variety of contributors to discuss their col- laborative relationships, as well as the advan- tages, incremental and otherwise, that accrue from such collaboration. We kick off with an interview with Patrick Davis of Cadence Design Systems. Patrick draws on his experience on the manufactur- ing floor to address key areas where designers and fabricators can work together to stream- line the design process. Altium's John Wat- son has a feature column about the need to view PCB design as a "team sport." Calumet's Ian Huibregtse explains why a good board shop will welcome your questions and act as a "sounding board" for PCB designers. Rich Tighe discusses the role of EDA tools in help- ing bridge the designer-fabricator gap. Colum- nist Tim Haag explains why designers must build solid relationships with every fabrica-