DECEMBER 2024 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 63
The dictionary defines a "rule of
thumb" as "a broadly accurate
guide or principle, based on
experience or practice rather
than theory." Rules of thumb
are often the foundation of a
PCB designer's thought pro-
cess when tackling a layout.
In the early days of electronics manufactur-
ing—especially with PCBs—there were no
rules. Engineers, scientists, and technicians
largely felt their way around in the dark,
making things up as they went along. There
was a great deal of innovation, guessing,
and testing to make sure that early guide-
lines and estimates were correct by testing
them. Still, they frequently made mistakes.
At PCB West, Andy Shaughnessy
spoke with Jess Hollenbaugh, a
recent college graduate who has
now joined Polar Instruments. In this
interview, she shares her journey
from a physics student focused on
high-energy astrophysics to her new
role at Polar.
In continuing my series
on finding, signing, and
keeping good people
for your company, this
month we discuss hir-
ing good people for
your quality depart-
ment. Even when hiring
was easier, hiring for the quality department
has always been especially challenging.
Flex printed circuit boards are an
essential advancement in the elec-
tronics industry, enabling the devel-
opment of flexible, lightweight, and
durable electronic designs. As tech-
nology has evolved, long-flex PCBs
have emerged as a key component
in applications requiring extended or
intricate routing paths.
The most popular
rule of thumb is
probably, "Rules are
meant to be broken." This implies that there are
times when we should think for ourselves and not
obey every rule presented to us blindly. I find that
with every PCB design I complete, there is at least
one rule that needs to be broken to accommodate a
certain situation. All board designs are different.
For the latest news and information, visit PCBDesign007.com
Meet Polar's New Product
Specialist Jess Hollenbaugh
Rules of Thumb for
PCB Layout
Flexible Thinking: Rules of
Thumb—A Word to the Wise
Beyond Design:
High-speed
Rules of Thumb
Standard of Excellence: Hiring for
Quality Positions in Manufacturing,
Engineering, and Management
Global PCB Connections: A
Technical Overview of Long-
flex Printed Circuit Boards
