Common Mistakes in PCB Design and How to Avoid Them

I. Overlapping of Pads

• The overlap of pads during the drilling process can lead to drill bit breakage and damage to the holes.
• In multilayer boards, overlapping holes can result in design errors, causing scrap.

II. Misuse of Graphics

• Adding unnecessary lines in graphic layers can cause confusion and design misunderstandings.
• Improper use of design software layers can lead to missed connections and circuit breaks.
• Disobeying conventional design practices can cause inconvenience during PCB assembly.

III. Misplacement of Characters

• Small or overlapping character designs can hinder screen printing and component identification.
• Character cap pads can complicate PCB testing and component soldering.

IV. Setting Single-Side Pad Aperture

• Designing single-sided pads with zero apertures if no drilling is required to avoid location coordinate issues.
• Special marks should be used for drilled holes on single-sided pads.

V. Drawing Pads with Padding Blocks

Pads drawn with padding blocks may pass design checks but are not suitable for manufacturing, leading to difficulties in soldering and assembly.

Electric strata should be clearly defined for pads and wired lines to ensure proper functionality.

Important Considerations for PCB Design

• When designing power sources as solder pads, remember that the layer is the opposite of the actual image on the printed board, with all connections being isolating lines.
• Be cautious when drawing multiple sets of power sources or isolation lines for different ground types to avoid gaps, short circuits, or blocking connections.
• Clarify the definition of processing level in your design.
• Ensure proper explanation for single side board design on the TOP layer to prevent installation issues.
• Provide clear instructions for multi-layer board designs to avoid processing confusion.
• Avoid excessive padding blocks or thin lines in your design.
• Check for complete light painting data to prevent processing difficulties.
• Ensure surface mount device pads are of sufficient length for testing and installation.
• Pay attention to spacing and pad thickness for dense surface mount devices to prevent test errors.
• Verify that the spacing of large area grids is adequate to avoid manufacturing issues.
• Avoid designing grid lines with edges smaller than 0.3mm to prevent broken lines during manufacturing.

Remember, these tips are crucial for beginners in PCB design. This information is sourced from the reputable PCB prototype company Wellcircuits in China. Share this valuable knowledge to help others in the PCB community.