Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1533085
MARCH 2025 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 39 Designers must recognize these priorities and tailor their designs to address DFM aspects and deliver complete documentation that pro- vides the necessary clarity, correctness, and precision so designs can be built to meet final expectations, with a goal of being able to have it built by anyone, any place, and any time. e designer also must recognize that the fabricator builds to the print (the master drawing). is is why not only verbal dialog is important, but also communication in the form of prints/drawings via a master drawing (fabrications and assembly) and with purchase orders (PO), which are just as important. Key Communication Touchpoints To ensure smooth collaboration, designers should include their external suppliers at the start of the project kick-off to address these critical areas of communication: 1. Clear design files: e designer's output is oen a collection of Gerber files, drill files, and a bill of materials (BOM). With the evolution of EDA tools, intelligent data outputs for manufacturing are now available. ese outputs include ODB++ or IPC-2581. ese intelligent file formats now can provide intelligent design data. Whether it be Gerber files, ODB++, or IPC-2581, these files, at a minimum, must: • Be complete and error-free (DFM) • Designate the type of design structure , such as a standard rigid design, a rigid-flex design, or flex design • Include layer stackup details that include required performance class (1, 2, or 3), board thickness, trace width/space details, required material, differential pair details, impedance requirements, copper thick- ness, via technology (standard TH and/or HDI/UHDI), and solder masking • Clearly define board dimensions, cutouts, drill holes (plated and non-plated), and tolerances • Provide both fabrication and assembly drawing details that include build and assembly notes, respectively Modern tools also allow designers to share ODB++ or IPC-2581 files, which provide more comprehensive data in a single pack- age. Using these formats can reduce the risk of misinterpretation and optimize the data exchange between engineering and manufac- turing. Knowing what specific outputs you're generating and who you're giving your manu- facturing output data to is extremely impor- tant, especially in controlling your intellec- tual property (IP). 2. Design for manufacturability (DFM) checks: Before sending files to the fabricator, designers should perform DFM checks to ensure their design aligns with fabrication capabilities. is includes verifying items such as: • Minimum trace width and spacing • Via sizes (aspect ratio) and annular ring requirements