By Gregory Beers There is a growing demand for compact, efficient, and versatile printed circuit boards (PCBs). Rigid-flex technology, enabling the creation of boards that can bend and flex without sacrificing performance or reliability, is a crucial solution to meet these demands. However, mastering the design of rigid-flex PCBs presents unique challenges. Whether you’re an experienced designer looking to expand your skills or a newcomer to the field, this guide offers a sim

By Julie Weber In PCB design , the integration of automation into your design approach isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity that enhances efficiency and productivity. In our latest podcast, seasoned industry professionals, John Medina and Steph Chavez, dive deep into the use of design automation in the PCB design process. Who is John Medina? John Medina, the owner of High Speed Design Services, boasts an extensive career spanning over 30 years in PCB and package design,

By David Wiens Thermal analysis stands out as a pivotal tool for ensuring the reliability, performance, and longevity of electronic systems. Often overshadowed by other analyses or relegated to conservative approximations, thermal analysis is experiencing a renaissance, compelled by the evolving technological demands of today’s products. Traditional approaches to thermal analysis Engineers often rely on manual strategies to address thermal concerns, employing rules of thumb

By Stephen V. Chavez When it comes to designing and producing electronics, success hinges not merely on the excellence of your design, but also on how effectively and efficiently that design can be brought to life. That’s where the concept of design for manufacturability (DFM) comes into play. DFM is the process of designing for ease of manufacturing, and its importance cannot be overstated. Implementing DFM principles from the get-go in your PCB design process can streamline

By Stephen V. Chavez In the field of PCB design and engineering, the concept of concurrent design stands as underutilized and waiting to help change the way teams work together. In an interview I had with Chris Young , we delved into the concept of concurrent design and its potential to reshape the design processes. Concurrent design: a living collaboration Chris Young draws a compelling analogy between concurrent design and the simple joy of playing Legos with his daughter.

By Stephen V. Chavez As technology continues to advance, the demand for smaller, lighter, and more efficient electronic devices is ever-increasing. This demand has led to the emergence of rigid flex PCBs, a revolutionary technology that combines the benefits of rigid and flexible circuits into a single solution. What is rigid flex PCB design? As a principal PCB designer with several decades of experience in designing a wide spectrum of PCB technologies, I’ve had the privilege

By Stephen V. Chavez Last year, on the Printed Circuit Podcast, I engaged in conversation with Anaya Vardya about the complexities of advanced printed circuit design. Anaya Vardya , the CEO of American Standard Circuits (ASC), is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the printed circuit board manufacturing space. His company has helped educate the industry by writing several books, or “golden nuggets” as I like to say, which are all available for free on

By Carlos Gazca Last year, I sat with Steph Chavez, the host of the Printed Circuit Podcast , and engaged in a conversation about design reuse. At the time I was working as an Application Engineer at L3Harris Technologies, but soon after I joined the Siemens team as a Technical Marketing Engineer. My background offers me a unique viewpoint as I have seen design reuse used differently and have learned what works and doesn’t work.  Understanding design reuse One of the primary

By Stephen V. Chavez Last year, on the Printed Circuit Podcast, I spoke with industry veteran, Scott Decker, about the use of PCB design constraints in PCB design. Decker has insightful knowledge on using design constraints as he has been working in the field of board design for 30 years, beginning his career using the Mentor tool in 1990 and spending the past 11 years working in Xpedition .  What is a PCB design constraint? In simple terms, a design constraint is a restricti