Design for Manufacturability Best Practices for PCBs and PCBAs

The quality and reliability of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) is highly dependent upon the PCB fabricator and the PCB assembler. However, PCB design also plays a critical role and can have a significant impact on the success or failure of the manufacturing suppliers. Today, designing and manufacturing PCBAs is increasingly difficult due to higher lead-free processing temperatures, the increasing density of electronic assemblies, and the use of smaller and smaller components. Not only does this create challenges for PCB designers, but it also increases the complexity of the PCBA manufacturing processes and puts additional demand on those manufacturing suppliers. This paper will give a brief introduction into the design for manufacturability (DFM) process and then explore some DFM best practices in the areas of PCB fabrication, component selection, and PCB assembly. It will also examine the dependencies between the design and manufacturing processes. DFM is a proven, cost effective, and strategic methodology. It reduces overall product development time, results in smoother production launch, and improves time to market. It helps to reduce overall costs by helping to ensure the product is designed and built right the first time, resulting in less rework, scrap, and warranty issues. It also helps to improve the quality and reliability of the product, leading to higher customer satisfaction.