Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1533085
38 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2025 incorrect data, conflicting and missing build instructions, and ambiguity in master draw- ings, to design structure concerns and impos- sible deliverables and expectations. en when work comes to a halt, or worse, a PCB is built that does not meet engineering expectations, the finger pointing begins. Ensuring both par- ties speak the same language is not just a meta- phor. It's a critical factor in achieving quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. IPC specifications, guidelines, and stan- dards are the industr y universal language, no matter what spoken languages are involved. Not only is a complete data package required, but it also must include accurate, correct, and complete documentation that is agreed upon between the user (the engineer) and the sup- plier (the manufacturer). is is also known as AABUS (as agreed between user and sup- plier), an acronym that is used widely in industr y IPC specifications. While attending several recent industry con- ferences, I continued in a long-running discus- sion on PCB DFM with industry subject mat- ter experts (SMEs) Gerry Partida of Summit Interconnect and Paul Cooke of AGC Multi Material America, Inc., to name a few. It's not just my opinion; SMEs like Gerry and Paul also can't stress enough that it's very important that early and constant collaboration with manu- facturing is the key to success in PCB design. Here's how designers can align their commu- nication and technical outputs with the needs of fabricators. Understanding the Fabricator's Perspective PCB fabricators are concerned with turn- ing designs into physical boards that meet the required performance-class and producibility levels, as well as meeting the technical, func- tional, and economic requirements of the cus- tomer. A good fabricator will guide engineer- ing toward making informed decisions to best meet their final product needs. Providing this at the point of design is key. is includes addressing DFM throughout the design process. For the fabricator to provide the best information, he/she needs to know all the targeted design requirements, including where and how the final product will be used. eir focus should include: • Manufacturability: Ensuring the design can be manufactured using existing pro- cesses and materials to meet the required performance-class and reproducibility lev- els to achieve engineering expectations. • Tolerance compliance: Maintaining dimensional accuracy within specified tolerances. is is where the PCB perfor- mance-class comes into consideration. • Material specifications: Choosing appro- priate laminates, copper thicknesses, and surface finishes. e foundation of a PCB is its stackup. e type of technology (standard TH, HDI, or UHDI) that will be implemented needs to be addressed and agreed upon as well. Collaboration with the fabricator to dial and lock in these con- straints to meet design needs and expecta- tions is key to success. • Cost and time efficiency: Balancing design complexity with cost and production time- lines. e mutual goal here is collaboration between engineering and manufacturing to design and build a PCB that results in a design that produces the highest yields and lower manufacturing cost.