PCB design engineers create printed circuit boards that go into phones, computers, and most other electronics. A PCB design engineer is responsible for designing the unit's layout and providing suggestions to improve the existing designs.

Moreover, PCB engineers ensure that products are manufactured according to company and industry standards. Hence, we can say that PCB design counts on the engineering experience. Read on to know more about PCB design engineers.

Are PCB Designers Engineers?

As PCBs are being spread out by many designers today, you will need a BS degree in this field if you want to become an electrical designer or a mechanical specialist. Also, the individuals that explicitly do PCB work don't require any degree in PCB manufacturing or PCB design. However, you will have much greater success as a PCB designer or PCB design consultant if you have experience in printed circuit board design, electronic design, computer-aided design, drafting, or related fields.

In the future, companies will require PCB designers to have degrees as PCB design becomes more unpredictable. Besides being an electrical engineer, a PCB designer can also be a process engineer, computer expert, and manufacturing expert.

What Are The Skills Required For PCB Design?

For the PCB designer, it is vital to have main skills in almost all things regarding electronics. Since PCBs are an integral part of electronics design, designers should have a good knowledge of electronics and PCB components. So, the basic learning of electronics and their interfaces is the foremost skill for a PCB designer. Here is a list of some basic skills required for a PCB designer.

• Good knowledge of PCB design rules
• Proficient in BOM
• Working experience with CAD software including, PADS, OrCAD, or AutoCAD
• Ability to create and maintain libraries
• Expertise in MS office suite
• Work experience with engineering drawings
• Ability to implement the right tools at the right time

Also, learning about debugging tools, microprocessors, and programming languages can help you become more proficient in designing embedded firmware software.What Are The Most Common Issues In Designing PCB?

Every electronic circuit relies on its PCB. With the most refined and innovative design tools available today, PCB manufacturers can vastly reduce the cost of production compared to the past. However, sometimes PCB design mistakes can increase manufacturing costs.

Due to the PCB's high costs and critical role in a wide range of electrical devices, PCB failure is the main concern these days. Here is a list of some of the most common issues in designing PCBs.

1. Starved thermals

It happens when you don't properly connect the thermal relief traces to copper planes paired with pads. This issue occurs when you place several vias in proximity to each other.

2. Bad Soldering

During PCB assembly, improper soldering can lead to major problems. In many cases, poor soldering happens because technicians don't heat the solder enough, resulting in cold soldering, which can fail the PCB.

3. Electromagnetic interference (EMI)

It happens due to the improper PCB design. And to lessen EMI on a PCB, it is vital to group parts as per their functionality. Also, it is crucial to use shielded cables and metal containers to absorb the interference.

4. Poor Manufactured Components

When you improperly perform PCB production, it results in physical damage to the PCB, which may lead to power failure. The most common PCB assembly defects are connection problems and loose components.

5. Lack of Copper-to-Edge Clearance

As we know, copper is one conducting metal you can use as an active part of PCB design. If the copper is too close to the edge of the PCB, you need to trim the coating part revealing the copper layer beneath. And it can cause multiple issues in the board functionality.

6. Tombstoning

An incorrect landing pattern and an imbalanced thermal relief can cause tombstoning. So, the use of reflow when soldering passive surface mount components to PCB assemblies is often associated with them lifting on one end and tombstoning. It can affect PCB yields and cause production costs to rise quickly.

What Kind Of Engineer Makes Circuit Boards?

Designing circuit boards is a technical task performed by a PCB designer using computer software programs. Also, PCB designers work with engineers to construct 3D models of circuit boards. In addition to developing PCB design guidelines, they frame assembly, fabrication, and assembly drawings for manufacturers.

They also draft layouts for high-speed, multilayer boards and identify mechanical design issues. Moreover, they design PCB systems using AutoCAD software based on specifications provided by customers and engineers.

What Is a PCB Design Engineer?

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design engineers design and develop printed circuit boards. It is the responsibility of these professionals to use computer software programs to design circuit boards by PCB engineering, create 3D models of circuit boards and also make sure that the circuit boards are functional with the help of special software.

Conclusion

To sum up, there is a growing need to design PCB advancements and develop current technology. As more and more gadgets, including IoT, become commonplace in day-to-day life, electronic design PCB designers will have an exceptionally bright future. And due to their importance as the base of all electronic devices, PCBs endure intense pressure for growth and development.

The PCB design must continue to evolve to keep pace with consumers' demands for slimmer and faster devices, and industry demands for improved functionality. So, with changing needs and priorities, PCB technology will continue to advance. Thus, keep an eye out for changing trends as your company invests in new designs and technologies. If you need any help with PCB design, don't forget to contact Arshon Technology.

Author: Fatima Hanjani R&D Engineer at Arshon Technology Inc.