Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1498723
MAY 2023 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 57 3. Keep your finger on the pulse Design techniques, standards and require- ments, new technologies, and tool strate- gies are evolving quickly in our business. To succeed, it is essential to stay current and be prepared for what's ahead. Trade publica- tions like this one are excellent for keeping up with what's new. For example, this issue of Design007 Magazine provides information that designers need to make good materials selection choices. e ideas offered here by the experts in our industry will help you with these decisions. 4. Pursue continuing education ankfully, we live in an era where almost anything we want to know is widely available. If you haven't done so in a while, get online and explore the webinars, seminars, confer- ences, and classes that are available. Industry experts routinely offer group presentations on different design topics at PCB events. ere are demonstrations by component or material vendors and PCB manufacturers that highlight how their products or services are used in vari- ous applications. 5. Work with your manufacturers Finally, be sure to work with your manu- facturers to understand their capabilities and the kinds of materials they recommend work- ing with. Building circuit boards is what they do, so it is in their best interest to ensure that your project will work as you designed it. To that end, they can provide you with a wealth of information on what materials will be best for your design, both electrically and mechani- cally, and how cost-effective they are. Armed with that information, you will be better pre- pared to make the best material choices for your board and system requirements. What do you think? Does stepping up to the plate to face increased design responsibilities still seem intimidating? With so many resources available, I sure hope not. So, grab your bat, or a convenient layout tool, step into the box, keep your eye on the ball, and swing for the fences. You've got this. Keep on designing everyone, and I'll see you next time. DESIGN007 References 1. "Adley Rutschman taking it all in during his Major League debut gives you all the feels," youtube.com. Tim Haag writes technical, thought-leadership content for First Page Sage on his longtime career as a PCB designer and EDA technologist. To read past columns, click here.