PCB DFM Guidelines

Design for Manufacturing

Understanding the Importance of DFM Analysis in PCB Design

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis helps you on whether a printed circuit board (PCB) is fit for manufacturing, assembly, and sales. Early in the planning process, it looks for and fixes any possible problems arising throughout production. This will increase manufacturing efficiency and help to save expenses. DFM analysis is quite vital in the complex world of electronics, where even little design errors can create delays costing a lot of money. This article discusses the different types of DFM i......

Mar 14, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

How to Prevent Solder Defects During Reflow Soldering

Reflow soldering is a critical step in surface mount technology (SMT) assembly, where solder paste is melted to form strong and reliable joints between components and the PCB. However, defects during this process can lead to assembly failures, rework, and reduced reliability. Understanding the causes of solder defects and implementing preventive measures can significantly improve yield and quality. Know how PCB assembly is done in JLCPCB factory. Common Solder Defects in Reflow Soldering: Solder Bridg......

Feb 20, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA): Optimizing Efficiency in Product Development

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) is an essential engineering tool that helps products be simpler to manufacture and assemble. DFMA enables businesses to reduce costs, prevent errors, and hasten product introduction, by combining the design and manufacturing processes. In areas such as electronics, automotive, aircraft, and consumer goods where exact and complex products are highly valued, this approach performs particularly effectively. highlighting fundamental ideas, advantages, and the b......

Oct 20, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Design for Manufacturing (DFM): A Comprehensive Guide for Optimizing Production

Maintaining quality while improving the manufacturing process is critically important in the competitive fields of electronics and industry. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) here comes in handy. DFM is a design tool stressing the simplicity of manufacturing during the product development stage. Early on manufacturing limitations help DFM to guarantee that goods are not only useful but also reasonably priced, dependable, and easily produced at large-scale production. This article covers the importance of......

Sep 27, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Role of DFM Manufacturing in PCB Design

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is crucial to make sure Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacture runs smoothly and fast. DFM manufacturing main focus is to makes PCBs as simple as feasible since it reduces errors, expenses, and production time. Engineers make a more stable product with fewer design-to-production problems when they think about manufacturing limitations during the design phase. This article will discuss about the basics of DFM manufacturing in PCB design, show why it is important, and giv......

Apr 11, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

SMT or Through Hole Technology？Which is Better for Your Project？

When designing and manufacturing electronics, one of the most important steps is selecting the appropriate assembly method. Nowadays we have through-hole technology and surface mount technology, which become the industry standards and are the two main approaches. The surface-mount technology (SMT) uses components that are perfectly aligned with the PCB surface. On the other hand through-hole technology (THT) uses leads that are placed into pre-drilled holes in the PCB and thereafter soldered. Consider......

Aug 19, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

FPC Panelization Design Standards and Requirements

FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit Board ) panelization is the process of arranging multiple FPC boards onto a single panel for efficient production. Proper panelization is crucial for optimizing material utilization, reducing production costs, and ensuring product quality. This article provides comprehensive FPC panelization design standards and requirements to guide engineers in creating optimal panel designs. General Panelization Guidelines Irregularly Shaped Frames: For irregularly shaped FPC frames, c......

Aug 21, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

What's the Difference: Countersink VS Counterbore Holes in PCBs?

When designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), engineers often need to create holes in the board to mount components or attach connectors. Two common hole types are countersunk and counterbored. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are important differences between countersink and counterbore holes that impact their use in PCBs. Both terms are commonly used in CNC machining. Normally countersink is a cone-shaped hole and the counterbore is a cylindrical flat-bottomed hole. This article wi......

Aug 15, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Common Design Issues and Recommendations for PCB Optimized Design

To help customers avoid common issues that may arise during the PCB production process due to design problems, we' ve summarized the most frequent cases below. These issues have been detailed on our website to assist customers in identifying and addressing them more effectively. The following points include important design considerations and suggested modifications: 1. Missing Slots, Cutouts, Millings and V-Cut Issue: Missing Slots, Cutouts, Millings and V-Cut due to improper design. Recommendation: ......

Dec 27, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

The Role of PCB Test Fixtures in High-Volume Manufacturing

In high-volume manufacturing of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), quality, efficiency, and reliability are paramount. One of the most crucial tools in achieving these goals is the PCB test fixture. These fixtures play a vital role in ensuring that PCBs meet the required performance standards before they are integrated into electronic devices. This article delves into the importance of PCB test fixtures, their types, and how they contribute to the efficiency of high-volume manufacturing. Specialized and c......

Jun 01, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Understanding DRC Testing in PCB Design

Design Rule checking (DRC) must be used throughout design and production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Design rule and constraint compliance (DRC) testing helps eliminate issues that could arise during manufacturing and during the usage of the produced good. A good DRC test makes sure that the design is reliable, reduces mistakes, and meets the manufacturer's requirements, even though PCBs are getting more complicated in modern electronics. In this article, we will talk about why DRC testing is im......

Apr 30, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Critical Aspect of PCB Panel Size

PCB panel size is a major factor in designing printed circuit boards because it directly affects how quickly they can be manufactured, how they are assembled, and how much they generally cost. From home electronics to heavy industrial, PCBs are the building blocks of practically all devices in the modern electronics. This article covers the importance of PCB panel size, the elements affecting it, the best approaches to maximize it, and its applications in multiple sectors. 1. What is PCB Panel Size? P......

Mar 26, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

PCB File Formats

Ordering printed circuit boards (PCBs) involves providing precise and detailed information about the design and specifications of the board. This is why specific PCB file formats are necessary. Manufacturing can only take place successfully with a completed PCB file. Designing a PCB and communicating those design decisions depends on files such as circuit schematic designs, Bill-of-Materials, PCB layouts, and stack-up design information. To ensure interoperability among various electronics design soft......

Mar 06, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

Castellated PCBs: Introduction and Design Requirements

With the rapid development of electronic technology, electronic products are moving towards miniaturization, portability, multi-functionality, high integration, and high reliability. This leads printed circuit boards to be often designed to reuse ready-made modules. For example, IoT Bluetooth modules or NB-IoT modules, which are indispensable communication modules, can be soldered onto PCBs just like chips. These carrier boards are characterized by their small size and a row of metalized castellated h......

May 10, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

Thermal Vias in PCB Design for Heat Management

Thermal vias are specialized vias designed to transfer heat from one layer of a PCB to another. These vias are placed near heat-generating components to create a thermal pathway, helping to dissipate heat and reduce the risk of overheating. They are often used with heat sinks, thermal pads, or copper planes to enhance their effectiveness. They are simply plated through holes (PTHs) that are located under a surface-mounted heat source component in a printed circuit board (PCB) that allow heat transfer.......

Jan 20, 2025

Design for Manufacturing

RoHS Compliance in PCBs: What Designers Need to Know

RoHS-compliant in the context of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) means that the board and its components adhere to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. RoHS is a set of regulations that restrict the use of certain hazardous materials commonly found in electronic and electrical equipment. The primary goal is to reduce environmental impact and improve health safety during manufacturing, usage, and disposal. To know how PCBs are made in JLPCB fab, visit our comprehensive guide on PCB m......

Design for Manufacturing

Free DFM Tool: Enhancing PCB Design Efficiency

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) guarantees that the design is best suited for manufacturing and assembly, it is a key process in printed circuit board (PCB) design. Using a Free DFM Tool will improve accuracy and efficiency, by greatly streamlining this process. The advantages of Free DFM Tools, their place in PCB design, and how they could affect your projects are discussed in this article. We will also discuss some typical problems and fixes related to using these tools, highlighting their applic......

Dec 27, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

The Role of Pad Soldering in PCB Design

Introduction Pad soldering is a vital method used in the manufacturing of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), especially in relation to Surface Mounted Devices (SMDs). Pad soldering's reliability and precision have grown more crucial as electronic devices keep getting smaller and more complicated. The value of pad soldering in PCB design, varieties of solder pads, optimum techniques for obtaining dependable connections, and typical process difficulties are discussed in this article. What is Pad Soldering? ......

Dec 25, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

How to Run a Design Rule Check (DRC) for Your PCBs

Any time you design a PCB, and you want to turn it into a real product, you will have to make sure the design obeys all the constraints within the standard PCB manufacturing process. These constraints in the PCB design are known as Design rules and to check these rules in a CAD software we have to run the DRC(Design Rule Check) algorithm. The ever-increasing complexity of boards has made it nearly impossible to carry out the design rule verification process manually, so designers have to program the r......

Design for Manufacturing

Thermal Vias in PCB: A Comprehensive Guide to Heat Management

Introduction In the world of PCB design, managing heat is essential for the reliability and performance of electronic devices. Thermal vias in PCBs play a vital role in heat dissipation, ensuring components last longer. As electronic devices become more compact and powerful, understanding the design and placement of PCB thermal vias and other thermal management techniques is crucial. This guide delves into thermal vias in PCBs, focusing on their design, placement, and effectiveness in thermal manageme......

Nov 26, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Design Process of a Surface Mount PCB

Surface-mount technology (SMT) is a planar technique used to directly attach components to the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). Unlike traditional through-hole technology, which requires inserting component leads into holes on the PCB, SMT mounts components directly onto the board's surface. SMT offers benefits like smaller component sizes, enhanced manufacturing efficiency, and better compatibility with automated assembly processes. It also allows for more components to fit on a given area o......

Design for Manufacturing

A Comprehensive Guide to Countersunk Holes in PCB Design

When designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), engineers often need to create holes in the board to mount components or attach connectors. Two common hole types are countersunk and counterbored. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are important differences between countersunk and counterbore holes that impact their use in PCBs. Both terms are commonly used in CNC machining. Normally countersunk is a cone-shaped hole and the counterbore is a cylindrical flat-bottomed hole. This article wi......

Sep 27, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

How to Set PCB Via Tenting in PCB Design Software

Introduction Via tenting refers to covering the via pads with ink, no solder on the pads, a process widely used in most circuit boards. It's a critical part of PCB design, protecting the vias and enhancing the board’s durability and performance. In this guide, we'll show you how to configure PCB via tenting in commonly used software such as Altium Designer (AD) and Protel 99 to ensure your Gerber files meet the required manufacturing standards. Inspection standard: The via pads should not adhere to so......

Sep 29, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Understanding the Importance of Annular Rings in PCB Design

Annular rings play a crucial role in printed circuit board (PCB) design, ensuring the proper electrical connection of two pads. The signal and current flow are characterized based on the placement of annular rings between two layers. Incorrect calculation of size and improper placement can lead to transient behavior and flicker noise in electronic components. In this article, we will consider all important steps to improve our design from annular ring issues, tangency, and breakout. An annular ring in......

Jun 13, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Innovating PCB Design: Leveraging DFM Principles for Enhanced Functionality and Manufacturing Efficiency

In the realm of electronics manufacturing, the initial design phase stands as a pivotal determinant of project success. For PCB (Printed Circuit Board) designers, integrating Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles into their workflow is paramount. These principles ensure efficient, cost-effective manufacturing with uncompromising quality. Essential guidelines, from component selection to testing, guide designers to optimize their designs for manufacturing efficiency and excellence. I. Component Sel......

Design for Manufacturing

Addressing Panelization Issues with Irregular Shapes and Structures

In production, JLCPCB has frequently had to process panel designs which have insufficient consideration for V-cutting. Simply tiling multiple boards together is suitable for uniformly sized and regularly shaped rectangular boards. However, for irregularly shaped boards with varying sizes, such a naive panel design is not feasible. Instead, it requires a consideration of the capabilities and requirements of the machines involved in production. Below, we will provide specific analyses using real-world e......

Mar 26, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Enhanced PCB Design Efficiency with Mouse Bites

PCB design is a crucial aspect of electronics manufacturing, and optimizing the design can significantly enhance manufacturing efficiency while reducing costs and waste. One design element that can improve efficiency is the implementation of mouse bites. Mouse bites are small cuts or grooves made in a PCB to facilitate its separation into individual pieces during the manufacturing process. In this article, we will explore the role of mouse bites in PCB design, their advantages and disadvantages, desig......

Feb 27, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

Design Optimization: How to Avoid Incomplete Milling of Internal Corners in PCB Panels

When panelizing PCBs with no gap between boards, the outlines of adjacent boards can sometimes form sharp internal corners that cannot be accurately routed without artefacts such as spurs or indents. Panels like this need to be redesigned to ensure complete, spur-free board outlines. Example V-Cut Panel With Three Boards Two Possible Routing Strategies And Results Because the router bit is round, it's unable to reach into tight corners. The unreached parts become sharp spurs after separating the board......

Jan 09, 2024

Design for Manufacturing

PCB temperature: Tips regarding improving the thermal management of PCBs

Thermal management is of utmost importance while designing PCBs. This is because the temperature of PCBs can guarantee the reliability, performance, and longevity of PCBs and the electronic equipment of which they are an integral component. Thus, enhanced Printed Circuit Board heat management is a necessity for reliable operation and to protect against damage to electronic components. In the upcoming chapter, we will discuss several approaches to strengthen PCB temperature management. Reasons of heat ......

Nov 28, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

Maximizing PCB Design and Manufacturing Success with Effective PCB Pad Implementation

Within the realm of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design and manufacturing, the significance of PCB pads cannot be overstated. These small, yet vital parts play a crucial role in ensuring reliable and secure connections for optimal performance. In this article, we dig further into the essential aspects of PCB pads, including what they are, different pad types, and their design considerations, impact on manufacturing, and material choices, all aimed at enhancing the overall quality of PCBs. I. What Are P......

Nov 27, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

Implications of border lines and 3D footprint lines on Mechanical Layer 1

In the process of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design, the Mechanical Layer plays a crucial role in defining the physical aspects of the board. It helps in determining the placement of components, recognition of slots, and creation of drilled holes. In this article, we will explore the implications of border lines and 3D footprint lines on Mechanical Layer 1 in PCB manufacturing using an example. Example Scenario: Let's consider a scenario where Mechanical Layer 1 has placed border lines and 3D footpri......

Sep 20, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

Avoiding Ambiguities for Non-Standard PCB Shapes

Typically, PCBs have regular rectangular shapes. However, nowadays, many PCBs are becoming smaller in size, and with the changing market, they are incorporating more functions and accommodating more diverse casing shapes. This has led to more complex designs, especially for non-standard shapes that often require more care in design and manufacture. Now, let's explore the different outcomes that can arise due to the improper design of non-standard shapes. 1. Routing Only Along the Outer Layer (Green li......

Sep 21, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

How to Avoid Shorts and Open Circuits in Dry Film Etching Process

When utilizing the dry film etching process, it is crucial to take precautions to prevent short circuits and open circuits in printed circuit boards (PCBs). JLCPCB emphasizes specific considerations to ensure the integrity and functionality of PCB designs. This article provides guidelines for maintaining adequate trace width and spacing as well as utilizing hatched copper pours effectively to avoid defects during the dry film etching process. Maintaining Adequate Trace Width and Spacing JLCPCB employs......

Aug 21, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: How to Avoid Damaged Traces and Pads

PCB Design Tips: All machining operations have finite errors, and milling in PCB production is no exception. JLCPCB’s regular milling tolerance is ±0.2 mm, with a precision ±0.1 mm option available. Due to these errors, it’s necessary to leave at least a 0.3 mm safety margin between any copper and a milled edge. Insufficient clearance can lead to damaged traces and pads, resulting in defective boards. Problem and Solution A milled slot on the board (purple) is placed too close to a nearby trace and cu......

Aug 17, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: The Introduction of L Special-shaped Board

PCB Design Tips: L special-shaped board upside-down jigsaw puzzle. In actual production, there are L special-shaped boards, which can be rotated 180 degrees to increase the utilization rate of the boards and reduce costs. The conventional boarding methods include V-cut boards and stamp hole boards.The V-cut processing is linear, from one end of the V-cut to the other end, and it is necessary to pay attention not to the V-cut to the PCB circuit pattern when assembling the board. GET FREE QUOTE>>

Aug 04, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: Why Perfboard is Not Suitable for Soldering

PCB Design Tips: Perfboard should be made of immersion gold instead of HASL. HASL is also called hot air leveling (HSAL). Its processing method is to immerse the board vertically down into the liquid tin liquid through the guide rail, then lift it up, and blow the flat surface with strong hot air. The residual tin liquid in the hole of the "board" flows out from the hole under the action of hot air, and part of it may stick to the adjacent pad, thus forming a short circuit failure. For this kind of "p......

Aug 04, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: How to Avoid Solder Splatter

PCB Design Tips: Immersion gold should be used to avoid tin blast holes. HASL is also called hot air leveling (HSAL). Its processing method is to immerse the board vertically down through the guide rail into the liquid high-temperature tin liquid, and then lift it up, and use strong hot air to blow the tin liquid on the surface of the slot hole plate. If the tin hole is too large (round hole or oval hole), the copper surface of the hole wall will sometimes fall off from the base material, which will c......

Aug 04, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: How to Prevent Breakage of Traces during Board Bending

PCB Design Tips: How to avoid breaking the board when the thin and narrow connection is broken? In actual production, sometimes there are narrow and long connections, some of which may be wired. After the PCB is processed by V-cutting, the customer's force is uneven when dividing the board, and the force on the narrow place is weak. It is easy to break when breaking the board (at A in the figure below). At this time, we can change the way of jigsaw puzzles, and open a gap of 1.6-2MM between the boards......

Aug 04, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

PCB Design Tips: How to Resolve Short Circuit Defects Caused by HASL

PCB Design Tips: Dense lines, window opening, tin spraying, easy adhesion, it is recommended to make immersion gold. HASL is also called hot air leveling (HSAL). Its processing method is to immerse the board vertically down into the liquid tin solution through the guide rail, then lift it up, and blow the flat surface with strong hot air. For the exposed copper area with dense lines, Tin liquid is easy to stick adjacent lines, thus forming a short circuit. For this kind of "dense circuit opening" or "......

Aug 03, 2023

Design for Manufacturing

The Ultimate Guide to PCB Panelization: Tools and Techniques

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the backbone of modern electronics, providing the mechanical support and electrical connections necessary for electronic components to function properly. The process of designing and manufacturing custom PCBs is a complex and challenging task, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. One critical aspect of PCB manufacturing is panelization - the process of arranging multiple PCBs onto a single panel for efficient manufacturing and assembly. Panelization is an es......

Jul 28, 2023