Intelligent DFM for PCBs:

This paper describes how DFM has evolved and why a DFM tool is a “must-have” for today and the future of PCB design and manufacturing. It outlines the history of PCBs and the design practices that followed that history for simple, complex and flex Printed Circuit Board designs.

What is ideal intelligent DFM approach for PCBs?

The ideal intelligent DFM approach would:

• Comprise a system that coordinated which constraints were applied to a particular board.
• Manage the set of design and process requirements, eliminating confusing configurations and setup requirements when automated.
• Define the ideal design requirements and limitations of manufacturing processes ensuring that a design would be checked to properly assign a correct constraint rule.
• Consider the needs of everyone on the team including PCB designers, manufacturing engineers and electronics manufacturing service (EMS) companies and contract manufacturers.

Valor NPI performs DFM analysis concurrent with the design process and is integrated with layout tools, providing the most efficient design-to-manufacturing flow. With today’s tools, companies should look at the full release process — DFM, stack up, documentation and communication — to systematically streamline their design to manufacturing process.

Learn more about Design for Manufacturing.