CAM350 Classic DFF (Design for Fabrication) Analysis

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By implementing the DFF functionality into your current process, you are ensuring the design can be manufactured quickly and accurately. DFF performs over 80 essential bare-board analysis checks, including fabrication, silk screen, power and ground, signal layers, drill, soldermask, and many more.

Locate, identify and instantly amend all violations before submitting the design for fabrication, not after. DFF automatically checks for acid traps, soldermask slivers, copper slivers, starved thermals, soldermask coverage, and more. Making sure the Soldermask data is generated using proper clearances, ensuring that there are no potential Solder Bridge conditions, and fixing potential Acid Traps will eliminate bottlenecks in the CAM department of any fabrication shop.

DFF Analysis Overview

• Analysis results are graphically displayed in a simple, easy-to-follow format
• Violations can be immediately viewed and potential problems instantly fixed
• Analysis checks take only seconds... even on complex boards
• Design data is maintained by locating errors in the design database (using Crossprobing) and making appropriate alterations

Performing DFF analysis functions during design keeps the designer in control of the database and the changes being made. Today, fabricators must manipulate design files in order to produce successful bare-boards. Having the CAM engineer performing DFF analysis is an advantage as well. This would ensure no errors were overlooked and manufacturing excellence can be achieved.

For Example - Acid Traps

         

Description: Acid Trap - Before (left) and After (right) 

If an acid trap is detected in fabrication, copper will be dropped into the crevice, which will solve the manufacturing issue completely. But, the designer might have preferred to rerouting the trace completely, removing the chance of an acid trap altogether. By addressing these issues in fabrication alone, the design database is not being updated with these vital changes, and as a result the integrity of the design is being compromised. If the design is re-spun in the future, this issue might not be found, resulting in faulty boards. For best results, analysis should be preformed by both the PCB Designer and CAM Engineer.

In Conclusion

When PCB designers create boards with fabricator's requirements in mind, as well as their own, quality, manufacturable design files can be supplied to fabrication. This saves everyone time, resources, and money, while getting product to market the fastest way possible.