Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1514628
12 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2024 stackup that meets the specified mechanical thicknesses/tolerances, material selection, line width/spacing modification to generate the specified impedance/tolerance, creating the assembly array/panel design/documenta- tion, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as UL. In my biannual class, "IPC Design for PCB Manufacturability," there are two primary components to a DFM review. e first is to identify and resolve design and supplied doc- umentation errors. e second component is to perform a process compatibility check. Finally, you must resolve these issues with the identified technical contact. Who Is the Designer? is can vary based on the critical design requirements. It can be the person who lays out the PCB, the signal integrity engineer, the PCB technologist, electrical or safety engineer, all the above, or some of the above. is per- son may change for different projects. at's okay. You just need to provide a single tech- nical point of contact as the communication interface who reports to the rest of the team. Formal documented TQs with written cus- tomer approvals should be generated for each approved change. is is important because engineers move to other companies, retire, or move on to a different project. A new engineer assigned to the part number may not agree with the previously agreed modifications and wants the manufacturer to pay for a "bad" product. is is avoided by showing who approved the change and when through documented TQs. Single Prototype Vs. Multiple Part Number Orders When a manufacturer receives their first order from a new customer, there generally isn't much time to spend with the designer understanding their intent. e designer's name is not provided very oen because an EMS NPI engineer or procurement person will be provided as the technical contact. It is generally a short cycle, quick turn, pro- totype, or qualification order. e prototype tooling must be released quickly to the fac- tory to give them the most time to produce