Design007 Magazine

Design007-May2024

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48 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2024 etc., anything to increase her com- mission. I was so annoyed that I went home and wrote a paper on what good customer sup- port should be. Aer all, in any field, we should employ good customer support prac- tices to maintain healthy business relationships—and not scare patrons out of the store. is "paper" I wrote was only meant to vent my frustrations, but in an amazing turn of events it was picked up by Design007 Magazine, and Managing Editor Andy Shaughnessy asked me to write a regular column for the magazine. With that, "Tim's Takeaways" was born, and "Customer Support: Not Just for Customers Anymore" was the inaugural entry. at was a whole lot of years ago, and it is amazing to think of everything that changed during that time. e unfinished Seaview model got put on the shelf as I focused on writ- ing. I've been producing these columns every other month or so, and it has been a ball. But as the poet says, "All good things must come to an end." I have decided to lower the curtain on Tim's Takeaways. So, if you don't mind a trip down memory lane, I'll use this last column to journey back through the last 10 years and explore the topics these missives have covered. First, let's look at the technology of our industry. The Technology of Circuit Board Design We've looked at many aspects of PCB design and manufacturing over the years and have discussed everything from lay- out tips and tricks to specific design types. Some of the earliest of these included parts one, two, and three of hybrid design principles, layout tools for RF boards, and, more recently, some of the uses for rigid-flex circuits. We've also looked at the importance of design data management and how to communicate effec- tively with PCB manufacturers through fab- rication and assembly files. In "Design Rule Checks," "Rules Keep You from Crossing the Line," and "Take it From Scotty: Simple Really is Better," we talked about the importance of setting up, managing, and using your CAD sys- tem's design rules. However, DRCs weren't the only design-related topics we covered. Here are some of the other PCB layout processes we examined: • Design standards • Components • Layer stackup • ermal management • Vias • Routing • Power and high voltage We could continue with topics like PCB design tools, creating helpful documentation, and how to work best with your manufacturer, but technology is just one side of the coin for PCB designers. e flip side of that coin is how to use and manage this technology into achiev- ing the goal—a successfully designed and man- ufactured printed circuit board. How to Succeed in the PCB Design Industry One of the most important keys to success for a designer is working well with others, whether it is a boss, a client, or co-workers. I first explored this topic in the inaugural customer support piece, and again talking about how best to provide that support. I also looked at support from the perspective of what design- ers want for success. Supporting each other naturally leads to learning and growing in our profession, as well as tak- ing responsibility to ensure the job gets done right.

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