Printed Circuit Design & Fab - November 2008 - (Page 18)

DFM BaSicS Tips to Improve ManufacTuraBILITy It’s as simple as doing it right the first time. by ARBEL NISSAN Today, design for manufacture (DfM), design for assembly (DfA) and design for test (DfT) are hot topics. Proper planning and preparation of the circuit design before the products enter into the production cycle shortens the time to market, reduces re-spins, reduces costs and improves yield. The best way to accomplish these productions successes is by thinking correctly during the design planning and preparation process. In other words, during the design process you need to do it right, so that the fabrication, assembly and test processes that follow will be successful. The winners in today’s world of technology are the companies that are able to bring their clients innovative and valuable products or services ahead of the competition. A company that achieves a fast time to market has a number of advantages: The product’s life cycle is extended, the development costs are reduced and there is the possibility of responding faster to customers’ demands. These advantages can result in more flexible product pricing. Designing a printed circuit board requires proper planning. Adherence to the 10 key points outlined in this article will enable a shortening of the planning and production phase of the electronic circuit, thereby reaping better results for the organization, as shown in FiGurE 1. 1. Card Size The raw materials for manufacturing a printed circuit board arrives in the form of fixed-size laminate panels. The PCB manufacturer cuts the boards according to the measurements of the card intended for production. The better the manufacturer is able to utilize the raw material, the lower the cost of the card will be. FiGurE 2 illustrates how a change of 0.2 inches to the length of the card reduces the cost by 50% due to improved panel utilization. One is advised to consult with the PCB manufacturer in order to verify the specific raw material panel sizes that are used and how it is possible to exploit these measurements to the maximum. 2. Planning Rectangular Shapes Many production machines used for the PCB fabrication process have conveyors that transport the printed circuit board through the process. The board must be lying on the conveyors in a stable manner in order to preserve minimal rigidity. This is particularly important for flexible circuits or thin innerlayers. To give the card mechanical strength, copper boarders are maintained around the outside edge of the Figure 1. Figure 1. FiGurE 1. Proper planning prior to production can shorten the process by 40%. FiGurE 2. Optimal use of raw materials enables reduced proFigure 2. duction costs. NOVEMBER 2008 18 printEd CirCuit dESign & fAB

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Printed Circuit Design & Fab - November 2008

Printed Circuit Design & Fab - November 2008 Contents Our Line Market Watch Around the World Happenings ROI Positive Plating Ten Tips to Improve Manufacturability 3D Chip-Package-Board Modeling Improving Circuit Simulation With The Addition Of Real Measurements Ad Index PCB West: Interview with NBS Design Inc. The Influence of Final Finish on Lead-Free Assembly Reliability The Lead-free Soldering Challenges for Peelable Resists Off the Shelf Marketplace BGA Bulletin

Printed Circuit Design & Fab - November 2008

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