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56 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2024 materials, and layer counts, to confirm every- thing aligns with your expectations and their manufacturing capabilities. Following this is a manufacturability review, which identifies any elements in the design that might pose challenges during production, such as intricate features that exceed machin- ery capabilities or materials that are difficult to source. Component availability and lead times are increasingly important, given recent sup- ply chain fluctuations. Ensuring that specified components are readily available helps avoid delays once the production process begins. It is important to identify and rectify any design issues before the manufacturing phase commences. Although it might seem like an extra step, this saves time, reduces costs, and guarantees that the final products meet both quality standards and client requirements. Essentially, it bridges the gap between design and the practicalities of manufacturing, setting the stage for a smooth and efficient production process. Key Takeaway: When CAM Changes PCB Designs Noticed some unexpected tweaks in your design? It's likely in the solder mask layers; more than 50% of all CAM edits occur in these two layers. While it might seem like setting up the solder mask layers should be pretty straightforward, this is not always the case. Your design may flood the entire board with a solder mask, and then you can carefully carve out spaces around all things that need solder- ing—like SMT pads, through-hole pads, and test points. It's a delicate art of ensuring these spaces are big enough for soldering to be effective but not so large that they leave nearby copper unnec- essarily exposed, which could lead to dreaded solder bridges. Indeed, achieving the ideal bal- ance in solder mask adjustments is an intricate dance the CAM soware performs to keep everything in harmony. The Feedback Loop Between the Designer and the Manufacturer Once a manufacturer approves a design, the work doesn't stop there. It can kick off a feedback loop between the manufacturer and the designer, which, though it might seem like extra work at first, can be valuable in the long run. is feedback loop allows the manufac- turer to highlight any problems they encounter while trying to make the design a reality, giving the designer a chance to tweak and improve the design. is not only improves the current project but also smooths the path for future designs. is back-and-forth helps spot and fix issues early, avoiding delays and ensuring a better final product. e feedback loop teaches designers valu- able lessons about manufacturing needs and limits, helping them create smarter, more fea- sible designs right from the start. Over time, as designers become better versed in the practi- cal requirements of their preferred manufac- turer, they start to design with manufactur- ing in mind, leading to reliable, finished PCBs sooner. erefore, while it may require more effort and patience up front, this collaborative process between designers and manufacturers is important for creating better products and constantly improving design practices. I hope this has given you greater insight into the electronic pre-manufacturing process of PCB design. In our next episode of On the Line with…, we will be discussing the inner layer process, including materials, imaging, etching, and inspection. DESIGN007 Matt Stevenson is vice presi- dent and general manager of ASC Sunstone Circuits. To read past columns, click here. Download The Printed Circuit Designer's Guide to… Designing for Reality by Matt Stevenson.