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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
March Madness
From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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New Free Online Gerber Viewer Tool from HQ NextPCB Set to Revolutionize Electronics Manufacturing
August 9, 2023 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
HQ NextPCB, a subsidiary of Huaqiu Electronics, a leading Chinese-based multilayer PCB manufacturer and assembly house, are proud to announce the release of HQDFM Gerber Viewer and DFM Analysis Tool.
HQDFM Gerber Viewer is a completely free, online tool for displaying and reviewing PCB Gerber files and OBD++ files. HQDFM incorporates NextPCB's Design for Manufacture (DFM) algorithms, based on NextPCB's 15 years of high-reliability manufacturing expertise and current industry standards.
The PCB manufacturing industry has and still relies on the Ucamco Gerber format to communicate PCB production to manufacturers, which are often located overseas. While the 2D image format overcomes language barriers, the language of PCB Design for Manufacture is still ambiguous to many inexperienced designers and the division between PCB design and PCB manufacture remains an expensive obstacle leading to missed deadlines, hit-and-miss runs and quick-to-fail products.
This is the problem NextPCB's engineers seek to resolve with HQDFM.
HQDFM is an easy-to-use Gerber Viewer and DFM tool for analyzing PCB production files before hand-off. Unlike EDA softwares' built-in DRC checks, HQDFM allows designers to navigate and analyze the production files and check for design issues that may impact manufacturing or cause long-term reliability issues. With HQDFM, designers are given a manufacturer's perspective and have valuable insights into how they can improve their designs.
Based on the free desktop software HQDFM, the cross-platform online version makes the easy-to-use Gerber Viewer function and DFM check available to everyone, including Mac and Linux users with no download or install and no sign-up. Anyone can freely upload PCB production files to the online interface and view their design in seconds. Try it now.
"There are still many designers that send off their production files without any knowledge of what the files contain. Resolving issues with the fab house becomes a challenge for both sides without the appropriate tools and knowledge to debug the design, which is something we hope to change for everyone's benefit," said HQ NextPCB CEO, Suibai Chen.
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Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/08/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007This week, I’ve selected some outstanding interviews that you’ll want to take note of. First, is a roundtable discussion featuring three dynamic industry cybersecurity experts. Please watch this important discussion that affects us all. Following that, I spotlight the IPC-2581 Consortium, which explains why IPC-2581 is the standard to replace Gerber data for manufacturing. Next, I am including my interview with PCBAA and AAM, who collaborated to release a short documentary on U.S. PCB manufacturing.
ASE, WUS Announce Strategic Collaboration to Build Advanced AI Packaging Hub in Kaohsiung
05/08/2026 | ASE GroupAdvanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ASE) and WUS Printed Circuit Co., Ltd. (WUS) announced today a strategic collaboration for the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Nanzih Technology Industrial Park, Kaohsiung.
Foxconn, ElectroMobility Poland in Strategic Partnership to Develop Electric Vehicle Ecosystem
05/08/2026 | FoxconnHon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) plans to accelerate the development of clean mobility in the European region in strategic partnership with state-backed ElectroMobility Poland S.A. (EMP), the key driver of an ambitious initiative to raise the technological and operational capabilities of the electric vehicle ecosystem in Poland and the broader region.
Flex Plans Cloud and Power Unit Spin-Off
05/08/2026 | FlexFlex announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved moving forward with a plan to spin off its Power and Cloud portfolio from Flex, creating two independent, publicly traded companies, each optimally positioned to serve their customers and create value for their shareholders.
Global Electronics Association to Testify at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity
05/08/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationChris Mitchell, Vice President for Global Government Relations at the Global Electronics Association, will testify before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Panel on Section 301 Structural Excess Capacity on Friday, May 8.