JULY 2025 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 57
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Zuken Autorouters Embrace
Collaborative AI
Maybe you've
never liked
autorouters;
if so, you're
not alone. As
Andy Buja,
Zuken's tech-
nical account
manager for PCB Solutions, admits, autorouters
are not perfect. But today's autorouters allow
designers a greater level of control than ever
before, especially routers that incorporate col-
laborative AI.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Assembly Challenges
with Micro Components and Standard Solder
Mask Practices
Micro components have redefined what is possible in PCB design. With
package sizes like 01005 and 0201 becoming more common in high-den-
sity layouts, designers are now expected to pack more performance into smaller spaces than ever before.
Beyond Design: The
Metamorphosis of the
PCB Router
The traditional
PCB design
process is often
time-consuming
and labor-inten-
sive. Routing a
complex PCB
layout can con-
sume up to 30%
of a designer's time, and addressing this
issue is not straightforward. We have all
encountered this scenario: You spend
hours setting the constraints and finally
hit the Go button, only to be surprised by
the lack of visual appeal and the obvious
flaws in the result.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro
Routers vs. Modern Boards—The
Silent Struggle on Your Screen
There's a story about a
young woman preparing
a holiday ham. Before
putting it in the pan, she
cuts off the ends. When
asked why, she shrugs
and says, "That's how my
mom always did it." She
asks her mother, who
gives the same answer.
Eventually, the question
reaches Grandma, who
laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my
pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for
how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Reflections and Priorities:
An Update to I-Connect007
Readers
We're proud
to introduce
our new tag-
line: "The Global Electronics Resource." It speaks
to our mission—to be your trusted source for
original content, news, and insights that connect
and empower professionals across the electron-
ics industry worldwide. This update also aligns
with our strengthened partnership with IPC—now
Global Electronics Association—as we continue
expanding our reach and relevance.
