Are you a PCB designer who struggles to create the most effective PCB layout? There are many ways that you can improve your layout by simply making some small changes and utilising the very best PCB design software on the market.
Here, we are going to give you some top tips on how you can improve your PCB layout. Keep reading to find out more about this.
Table of Contents
Use Advanced Software
One of the most important things that you can do to improve your PCB layout is to upgrade your PCB layout software to the best possible package. PCB software companies like Altium are constantly adding new features and tools to these packages which can help you to make your layout as effective as possible. They have added 3D views, component libraries and much more to ensure that you are getting the best features. Upgrade your software today and you’ll see your layout improved.
Leave Enough Space
Do you find that you are packing your components in too close and it is hard to add the wires in further down the line? This is a mistake that many designers make but it is something which you should try to avoid. Try to leave enough space between each component as you will find that the wires will spread. This way, you can improve your PCB layout and have a much better product.
The Orientation
The next tip that we have for those who want to improve their PCB layout is to place components with the same orientation. It can be harder to make soldering mistakes when you have your components all orientated the right way so this is something that you should try. This will also make things a lot easier when it comes to inspecting your components.
Talk To Your Manufacturer
Finally, you should make sure that you talk to your manufacturer throughout the entire process to ensure that your layout is as effective as it can be. If you leave this to the last minute, then you might have already created your design without any knowledge of their specifications. You need to know what they need from you and you need to create your layout based on this. Make sure to find your manufacturer early on and create the layout with their requirements in mind. This way, you can improve your layout and ensure your PCB works effectively.
Final Verdict
When you aren’t very experienced in PCB design it can be tricky to get your PCB layout perfect. Of course, if you follow some of the tips that we have given you in this article, you should be able to get your layout working more effectively in the future. Think about how much space you are leaving between your components and make sure that you are using state of the art PCB design software for your projects. If you do this, you will improve your PCB layout and design as a whole.