Part 2. The Product Anatomy: The Board and the Parts
Understand the physical constraints: PCB stackup, copper features, finishes, packages, and practical DFM basics.
2.1 PCB Materials and Layers
The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is not merely a passive holder for components; it is an active me...
2.2 Copper Features and Vias
In CAD software, a trace is a vector line with zero resistance and infinite precision. On the fac...
2.3 Solder Mask, Silkscreen, Surface Finish
Once the copper etching is complete, the board is electrically functional but manufacturing-hosti...
2.4 Components and Packages
A schematic symbol is a theoretical instruction; a component package is a physical constraint. In...
2.5 DFM Rules of Thumb for Non-Designers
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is not about making a product "easy" to build; it is about obeying...