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Rules of Thumb: Design007 Magazine, November 2024
November 11, 2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Rules of Thumb
Rules of thumb are everywhere, but there may be hundreds of rules of thumb for PCB design. They’re built on design formulas, fabricators’ limitations, and tribal knowledge. And unfortunately, some longtime rules of thumb should be avoided at all costs. How do we separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak?
In the November 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, we delve into rules of thumb—which ones work, which ones should be avoided, and when it’s time to “do the science.” As our contributors point out, rules of thumb are a great place to start—a default position—but designers should have a good understanding of the mechanics that these rules are built upon.
Suggested Items
Rules of Thumb for PCB Layout
11/21/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007The dictionary defines a “rule of thumb” as “a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory.” Rules of thumb are often the foundation of a PCB designer’s thought process when tackling a layout. Ultimately, a product spec or design guideline will provide the detailed design guidance, but rules of thumb can help to provide the general guidance that will help to streamline the layout process and avoid design or manufacturing issues.
Flexible Thinking: Rules of Thumb: A Word to the Wise
11/20/2024 | Joe Fjelstad -- Column: Flexible ThinkingIn the early days of electronics manufacturing—especially with PCBs—there were no rules. Engineers, scientists, and technicians largely felt their way around in the dark, making things up as they went along. There was a great deal of innovation, guessing, and testing to make sure that early guidelines and estimates were correct by testing them. Still, they frequently made mistakes.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
11/15/2024 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007We have quite a mix in this week’s must-reads. The November issue of Design007 Magazine was published, and you don’t want to miss Andy Shaughnessy’s column. This week, we also have a discussion of long-flex PCBs with CEE PCB’s Jerome Larez, and we revisit my forward-looking interview with Dr. Evelyne Parmentier of Dyconex. Jim Will gives us an update on the many things that have transpired in his first five months as executive director at USPAE. Finally, Happy Holden’s next installment of Happy’s Tech Talk looks into the weaknesses of CAD drawings by using a famous Escher print as an example. Happy is definitely one of a kind.
Rules of Thumb: A Primer
11/14/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineMany industry-wide rules of thumb are based on DFM constraints or formulas, but others are based on tribal knowledge. In this interview, Andy Shaughnessy sits down with our contributors Kris Moyer and Kelly Dack to discuss the role of rules of thumb, when to employ them, and when it’s time to do the math.
The Shaughnessy Report: A Handy Look at Rules of Thumb
11/12/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy -- Column: The Shaughnessy ReportRules of thumb are everywhere. I took an auto mechanics class when I was 16, and I still remember the instructor telling us, “Remember, the cause of the problem is usually the simplest thing.” That holds true for much of life, actually.