A good PCB design lays the foundation of a robust, well-functioning, and accurate printed circuit board. Any mistake at this stage can lead to added costs, failed board, an underperforming board, and rework.
We asked our PCB fabrication and assembly service providers to discuss some tips on improving PCB design. Keep reading to find out.
Packing traces and pads too close can result in a short circuit if traces accidentally connect during manufacturing. Therefore, leaving enough space between all adjacent traces (approximately 0.007–0.010”) in your PCB design is important.
Similarly, you should also leave adequate space between mounting holes and traces. If a mounting hole comes in contact with surrounding components (or traces), it can cause a shock hazard.
EMI or electromagnetic interference creates unwanted noise in your circuit via an outside source. When designing a PCB, you should reduce EMI by adding a closely-spaced solid plane return path adjacent to signal traces. You should also use ground fills to balance out the copper in the circuit design.
90-degree trace angle might have a narrow outside corner than the standard width, causing difficulty in the PCB design. It’s best to avoid using them and stick to 45-degree trace angles.
Heat dissipation is an important part of every printed circuit board. You can use vias to achieve that.
Via or via holes (vias) offer electrical connectivity between PCB layers and also serve as a pathway to drive heat away from components prone to heating up. They send the heat to an area where dissipation occurs.
Fiducial marks allow correct PCB orientation. Add them to the same side of the printed circuit board where you will place surface mount technology parts. Doing this ensures current component placement.
One mistake most people make is not maintaining symmetry when stacking up different layers on their circuit boards. You should alternate between single and plane layers above the centerline of the PCB to ensure a symmetrical stack-up.
If you need more help with your PCB design, feel free to reach out to us. You can also get quick turn PCB, PCB assembly services, and prototype PCBs from SoonEasy. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, we have helped hundreds of clients and designers with their PCB needs. Learn more about how we can help you.