Famous online content creator Robert Feranec Tours Sierra Circuits
In a recent visit to Sierra Circuits, popular YouTuber Robert Feranec gained insights into the intricate world of PCB manufacturing and assembly services. The tour showcased various aspects of PCB production, from the drilling area to the final assembly of boards.
The highlight of the visit was the detailed demonstration of numerous techniques, leaving Feranec particularly impressed by the drilling process. One of the key takeaways from this tour is the emphasis on best practices throughout the PCB lifecycle, focusing on thorough design preparation, precise component placement, and rigorous testing protocols.
The "Design for Manufacturing Handbook" published by Sierra Circuits serves as a comprehensive guide, containing 10 chapters and spanning 40 pages. This handbook is available for download and offers essential information about solder mask and silkscreen, annular rings, and optimizing via design. It also provides guidance on trace width and space, all aimed at improving the manufacturability and functionality of PCBs.
However, the handbook does not provide specific details about the price of a PCB. It is estimated to take approximately 45 minutes to read, making it an accessible resource for those interested in learning more about PCB manufacturing.
Feranec's detailed workflow and advice, as demonstrated in several tutorials and practical videos associated with Sierra Circuits and related PCB manufacturing demonstrations, provide valuable insights. He emphasizes the importance of a careful schematic-to-PCB import process, ensuring all components from the schematic are correctly included in the PCB layout.
For instance, he advises starting with mounting holes placement and working with appropriately sized tracks (like 8 mil tracks for standard digital signals) instead of default smaller sizes to improve manufacturability and signal integrity. He also highlights the importance of checking 3D models of components to ensure accurate placement and fit before fabrication.
In terms of assembly, precise component placement is essential. After layout, the PCB undergoes soldering in an oven (reflow soldering), a critical step for securing components effectively. Testing every PCB is another crucial tip stressed by Feranec, as it detects any potential assembly or manufacturing defects early, ensuring functional reliability.
Additional practical advice includes using coupling capacitors and proper grounding in the design to stabilize power delivery and reduce noise, managing connector and harness definitions precisely to ensure correct interconnections during assembly, taking care with differential pairs, including impedance considerations and spacing, which are vital for high-speed signals, and expanding and refining designs with iterative testing and feature additions to ensure manufacturability and functionality.
Together, these tips embody best practices from design through assembly and testing: clear schematic capture, careful layout with manufacturing constraints in mind, precise component and mounting hole placement, and comprehensive testing post-assembly to deliver robust PCBs.
Amit Bahl, Sierra's director of sales and marketing, guided Feranec through the manufacturing and assembling process from start to finish, offering a unique and informative experience. This tour and the "Design for Manufacturing Handbook" serve as valuable resources for those seeking to improve their understanding of PCB manufacturing and assembly best practices.
[1] Feranec, R. (2022). PCB Design Tips: Improving Manufacturability and Signal Integrity. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ [2] Feranec, R. (2021). PCB Assembly: Connector and Harness Definitions. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ [3] Feranec, R. (2020). PCB Design: Differential Pairs and High-Speed Signals. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ [4] Feranec, R. (2019). PCB Assembly: Reflow Soldering. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ [5] Feranec, R. (2018). PCB Testing: Ensuring Functional Reliability. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Technology played a significant role in the PCB manufacturing and assembly process showcased by Sierra Circuits, as evidenced by the use of sophisticated equipment and techniques throughout the tour. The publication of the "Design for Manufacturing Handbook" also demonstrates the company's commitment to incorporating advanced technology and best practices into their handbook, making it an accessible resource for those interested in PCb manufacturing.
