A free tool-NEXTFDM hunts the underlying hidden dangers of PCB design

"As an engineer who has been engaged in PCB design for many years, he often feels troubles during long-time drawing board work. It is not due to the design requirements of the board, nor is it limited by the compatibility between different product structures, but an inability to Ignored problem-PCB DFM. "

The innovation of the entire industrial software has always been a continuous impulse process. As the advancement of digital technology accelerates, is there no humane method that can alleviate the problems of PCB engineers in PCB design? 

Where is the PCB DFM problem

Whether the overall structure of the board meets the production requirements, whether it can meet the mass production conditions of the board factory, and whether the production cost can meet the project budget.

These questions are full of question marks for most engineers, and it is generally easy to be incompletely considered in the design of the board.

Faced with the EQ inquiry feedback from the board factory, it was impossible to answer accurately, which caused the finished board to be scrapped and unable to be used. In the end, it was natural that the engineer had to carry it out.

This type of problem is actually the norm in the entire PCB industry. Most PCB design and R&D companies do not have a DFM process, and engineers may not be able to understand such problems themselves. Just because it is the last mile of the docking board factory, they become a professional man.

Of course, it cannot be said that the engineer is totally not responsible. Sometimes it is indeed a problem of PCB design, as follows:
The above problems are often unable to be detected by EDA design software. In most cases, these problems can only be checked one by one through various standard checklists to avoid such problems.
However, manual verification is a non-standard operation. If you encounter insufficiently rigorous inspectors, there will still be problems with the final board.

Is there a solution for PCB DFM

How to standardize these "PCB inspection items" together for automatic inspection? Looking at the professional DFM software on the market:

Budget?
With hundreds of thousands at every turn, it is suitable for large companies that require high-intensity PCB reviews. As long as they are completed quickly and easily, the budget is not a problem. But for small companies with few PCB products and rapid changes, this price-performance ratio can only be prohibitive

Copyright?
The use of piracy is very likely to cause copyright risks

Compatibility?
Often can only detect fixed format files
This has caused problems with the current boards in the industry, and then frequently asked engineers to back up the situation.
So is there a free DFM software, even if the functions are not as strong as professional DFM software, but the basic functions can meet the review requirements of ordinary company PCB, efficient and free? ?
The answer is: YES!

[NEXTDFM] Connecting the production process

Connect the design and production chain, so that the energy efficiency and quality control of the project/team can be doubled.

In order to help PCB engineers solve the ills of this industry, I refuse to go back. Today I will recommend a free and highly compatible PCB design analysis tool [NEXTDFM].

According to the actual measurement by a group of senior PCB engineers, it has the following practical functions.

• 1. Simulation function:

It can simulate the effect of the real object, and the specific performance is as shown in the figure below. Is this very close to the real object? Like some problems with no drilling, you can see it at a glance. If there is no rou file, then the hole position can be seen to be blocked.

• 2. PCB board defect analysis

More than 20 problems such as open and short circuit, minimum line width, line distance, etc., can be accurately located to the specific location
As shown in the figure below, on the right is a general result of its analysis. You can click to view the detailed content to help us judge whether there is a problem.

• 3. Import compatibility is high

It can directly import PCB source files or Gerber files for analysis. There is no need to import Gerber files for analysis every time. It can support the import of PCB source files, including common software such as Allegro, Pads, and AD.

• 4. Support a variety of different types of file format export

You can export Gerber files, coordinate files, and silk screen pdf files with one click.
More NEXTDFM functions
In addition, through my careful research, I also summarized the following very useful functions:
1. Warn items that affect prices, and give optimization plans for hidden dangers and items that affect prices
2. Multi-layer boards automatically match the laminated structure
3. Intelligent impedance tools, combined with production factors, calculate impedance data or reverse calculations.
4. Personalized jigsaw puzzle, seckill rule board or special-shaped board, stamp hole can be added.
Through the above functions, basically achieve the purpose of one-click analysis of the problem. The Xiaobai impedance calculation can also facilitate us to check the EQ inquiries of various board manufacturers. It is a tool worth recommending~ It can be said that the Prepare Artifacts]