PCB Component Sourcing Guidelines
It is beyond debate that the most important elements of a circuit board are the components. After all, a PCBA cannot operate without them. This is why component selection is such a critical aspect of electronic system design. Choosing the right parts is only the first step—it must be coupled with an effective PCB component […]
What is ECAD for the Design of Electronics?
Apple founder Steve Jobs once said, “Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” In making this statement, Steve was not dismissing technology. On the contrary, he was claiming if we are given the proper tools, we can push technological advancements to wonderful new heights.
PCB Supply Chain Management: Sustainable Guide
A PCB board A reliable PCB supply chain is crucial to ensure the continuous quality of manufactured electronics. Although this is a global issue, the most effective approach is to adopt a personal perspective. The idea of supply chain unification is not applicable today, as virtually every aspect of the supply chain is volatile. However, […]
The CAD Librarian Role is Dead: Long Live the CAD Librarian
Computer-aided design (CAD) Computer-aided design, or CAD, has been around since the 1960s, largely thanks to a French engineer named Pierre Bezier. Math nerds know him better for Bezier curves, which are the backbone of calculating points in CAD. CAD programs have always been a great help to electronics manufacturers, but their capabilities have changed […]
Managing Electronic Component Distributor and Supplier Driven Workflow
Maintaining a consistent supply of components is a vital part of electronics manufacturing. Many modern electronics companies ensure their supply by engaging with a specific set of trusted manufacturers and distributors.
Making the Best Engineering BoM For Your Electronics Production
An engineering BoM, also called an engineering bill of materials, specifies how a finished electronics project is designed. It is a standardized and centralized source of information that guides electronics manufacture. In its simplest form, it can be a single table of materials with their associated costs and other relevant data. Its construction is often […]
Using EPW Files? Utilize Universal File Formats Instead
EPW files are a common pointer for CAD data, but you should consider vendor-neutral formats instead. Successful electronics design is all about having the right CAD models for your components, both electronic and mechanical. Your new PCB and its components come alive inside your CAD application, but you still need to access model data to […]
How to Use an E Parts Finder to Speed Up Your Component Selection
If you’re a designer, then you know how irritating it can be to find component information quickly and easily. I’ve often selected a part for a new design and started drawing up schematics, only to realize the part was obsolete, had gone NRND, or was out of stock. With many hours of design time […]
Mechanical Properties: An MCAD Parts Search for Production Team Integrity
Sleek enclosures with tight curves are all the rage for new electronics. Intricate enclosures need precise mechanical designs, which are best provided by professional CAM engineers. Anyone that has worked on a diverse design team at a board house or a prominent electronics company knows how important mechanical design is for usability and user experience. […]
Understanding ISO 10303 for STEP International Standards
Electronics design is more complex than ever before and yet there are more tools to aid important design tasks. One important standard, dating back to the 1980s, is the ISO 10303 standard, which defines an important data exchange format for 3D models used in MCAD programs. ECAD programs with 3D design capabilities can also […]