A strategy for design-through-manufacturing

Moving design-for-manufacturing (DFM) rules into the design process and using software tools to verify that those rules are followed means that manufacturability issues can be corrected before any physical boards are made. Transferring the resulting design data to the board fabricator sets in motion a seamless connection between both disciplines. Once this product-level NPI stage is completed, the automated setup and optimization of the production line, the process-level NPI, can be performed in a mere fraction of the time otherwise needed. Using a robust PCB manufacturing and assembly software suite, process setup and optimization can be performed and verified without impact to line time. Work-order management links qualified setups for execution for all processes, and then provides real-time monitoring and visibility of equipment performance, actively driving material logistics such as Lean 'Just In Time' material management, and finally, captures and analyzes test results.