Start with a Schematic

A schematic uses symbols to designate the components and shows the components used and how they connect in the circuit and is needed to design the PCB.

PCB Design

The PCB designer uses the schematic and specifications of the components to design the PCB manually or with a computer-aided design (CAD) program like the one offered free through Advanced Circuits.

TIP: To make your PCB look professional:

• Place the components on a 0.10 grid, horizontally (x-axis) or vertically (y-axis), not on angles.
• Place the components with polarity (anodes) facing the same direction in both axes.

The same with resistor stripes.

Inserting the Components on the PCB

The components are inserted manually or by a machine called an automatic insertion machine. This procedure is called PCB electromechanical assembly.

The component wire leads are soldered in place by hand or a wave solder. Some companies bend the wire leads on the solder side of the PCB to hold the components in place before soldering.

Before the Production Run

The making of a prototyping board before the production run is not only a common but wise procedure. By doing so, any errors in the circuitry or printed circuit board design are more likely to be detected.

TIP: Prototype PCBs often lack a solder mask. Make sure the traces are wide enough to handle the amperage with a solder mask.

Advanced Circuits Can Solve Your PCB Needs

If you are looking for a one-stop shop for your PCB needs, Advanced Circuits is your PCB solution. From the design of your PCB to making your boards to assembly.

Some of the services provided are:

• PCB Design Layout software
• Free PCB file checks
• Barebones PCBs
• PCB full spec prototyping
• PCB full spec production
• PCB assembly
• PCB stencils
• 0-10 layers PCB (standard)
• 0-40 layers PCB (custom)
• No minimum order
• DOD contracts ready
• Space & flight approved PCB supplier

Advanced Circuits is your market industry expert, whether you are a student, hobbyist, or a manufacturer of defense, aerospace, or medical equipment.

Contact us today for more information or to have a live chat with an expert.

They should get quality work with a quick turnaround time while having someone they can talk to who helps ensure they stay competitive against other companies. However, knowing what they need from the PCBs for their circuit designs doesn’t always mean it’s easy to immediately find the right company to step into their corner. We’ll share a few tips to make that process easier.

Know the Right Questions That Should Be Asked

When a person chooses someone to create their PCBs, it’s essential to ask them questions to be sure they can handle their needs. Sometimes the answers to the questions can be found on company websites and reviews. Other times individuals might need to contact the company on their own and ask the questions that are important to them. Having answers will provide peace of mind that they’re choosing the right company for their needs.

How Much Experience Does the Company Have?

Experience is important for any product or service that someone chooses to pay for, whether that’s a car repair or PCBs to fit their circuit designs. When it comes to printed circuit boards, a manufacturer’s experience is essential to ensure customers get boards that are right for their needs. Knowing how much experience a company has will give insight into how many resources they have and what amount of knowledge is available. It also shows competence if a PCB company has been in business for a long time. That means they have adapted to the times and continuously put out great products.

What Certifications Does the Company Have?

This is another question that can speak to how qualified a company is with PCBs for a person’s circuit design. Certifications typically require a third party to verify that the company complies with certain standards or requirements. For example, IPC creates standards with regards to PCBs and industries related to electronics manufacturing. Any company someone decides to work with should be capable of meeting the standard required by their products and industry. This includes broad regulations as well as those that apply only to their industry. The best choice is a company that has experience working with other people in the same industry.

How Does the Company Stand Out?

This might seem like a broad question that could have any number of answers, but it can help people narrow down the right business to help with their product. This is especially the case when they have a few options for companies that offer all the services and products that they need. This question can be as simple as asking what makes the business different from others or can delve into what value-added services are provided. For example, Advanced Circuits can help with their circuit designs by providing free PCB design and file check software which will save customers money and time.

Important Considerations When Choosing a PCB Company

The reality is that there are tons of companies that provide PCBs and many of them also have services to assemble and create circuit boards that match specific needs. This can make it a challenge to choose between them since some companies may appear to be quite similar. However, there are a few things people can look at early in the search to get a grasp on which company may best fit their needs.

Types of Products Provided

The first thing for people to check is what products are offered by a company to be sure they even provide what is needed. If the company specializes in the needed products, that’s even better. Once they know the products exist, they can find out more about the pricing and quality of the products.

For instance, what kind of PCBs are available? These can range from rigid to flexible and rigid-flex. They might be metal core, aluminum backed, or hybrid board. People can ask about which substrates are used in the board. They can also look into the quality and consider the prices and how they stack up to the competitors. All of these things can help with the decision.

Services Available

In addition to products, people should consider services that they might need. If the company offers everything they need, they won’t have to go between businesses to get their product ready. Some of the services that should be considered are:

• Prototyping – Ability to create prototype PCBs before moving into production so customers can reduce costs and timeframe through thorough testing.

• Layout and Design Services – These can speed up their production by offering a complete design or providing software to make someone’s own designs.

• File Review – File reviews can help by ensuring a design is free of errors and that the company has all of the needed components to start creating its PCBs.

• SMT Prototype Stencils – Stencils are laser cut and made of stainless steel foil to ensure the solder is placed in the right areas of the PCB. The stencil helps with accurate circuit designs.

Other services that can be helpful include DXF to Gerber conversion, panelization, and PCB design for manufacturing services.

Accessible Capabilities

It’s also important to be sure the company is capable of offering what is needed for a customer’s PCBs. This includes everything from being capable of handling the size of their order to having a certain lead time and offering the right layers on a PCB. Other things to consider are the surface finish options available, the via options, specs and tolerances, and other things that they prioritize with their circuit designs. It might take some time to get answers to all these things, but once someone does, they will know whether a company is right for them.

Advanced Circuits is the third-largest manufacturer of printed circuit boards in the United States and offers excellent customer service and reliability. The company also offers a variety of services to customers like free PCB layout software (PCB Artist) and a free PCB file check. Those who want a streamlined PCB company in their corner can get in touch with us to learn more.

When working with circuit design and creating printed circuit boards, many best practices can prevent having to continually alter and change the boards. Some of them are common knowledge while others might teach you something new that you can incorporate into your next PCBs. We want to focus on tips that will make a huge difference in your creation process and let you speed up your work.

Consider Orientation, Space, and Accessibility

One of the best tips we can offer you with circuit design is that all the components that you add to a board should be given a bit of space between each other. It might seem satisfying to place every part right next to another, but you also need room for wires to spread out. Keep in mind that components with fewer pins will need less space. Having extra space can also help with auto-routing since soldering will be simpler.

You also need to think about the orientation of parts when you place them. In general, the best tip here is that components should have the same orientation as each other. There’s a good reason for this practice. In most cases, the parts have a standard pin number system where pin one is found in the left upper corner. When orientation is the same between parts, it will prevent later mistakes in soldering and inspections.

Accessibility is also crucial, especially for nodes that are the most important in your build. Even when you have a great design and have gone through prototyping with products from a company like Advanced Circuits, you might do testing and see something isn’t working the way it should be. You’ll want to measure the signal in the PCB during the circuit design process. Be aware when designing the PCB about what points will be most important to troubleshoot and make them accessible. If this isn’t possible, make sure a test point is connected to them.

Check Component Sizes, Exchange Wiring Directions, and Select Line Widths

When you have an idea of how you want to lay out your components during circuit design, one option is to print out the layout. You can then take the parts and place them on top of the page to make sure they match. In some cases, this can save a ton of time since datasheets aren’t always 100% accurate. Another option is to use the free circuit board design software by Advanced Circuits to ensure your build is exactly the way it should be.

Assuming you are making a circuit with several layers, it’s best to swap the wiring directions as you go between the layers. For instance, one side of the layer might have horizontal traces while the other side uses vertical traces. This is an important tip since it helps facilitate the wiring or lines that need to pass over others. Alternate direction when using several layers for the best results.

PCB width will vary based on your project. A larger width is going to reduce the level of resistance, which means that it will also create less heat. It’s important to choose the width of lines you are sizing based on how much current is expected to flow through them. Several online calculators can help with this process. As you might guess, power lines should have more width than other lines since they will carry a larger amount of current.

Special Considerations for Power Circuits

When creating a power circuit, the number one tip is to ensure your power and control grounds remain separate. Large current spikes and high voltage can create interference in the control circuits, which aren’t designed to handle as much current and voltage. This is the main reason that the control ground and the power ground should be kept apart in any power supply stage. If they need to be tied together, it should be toward the end of the supply path.

For those who need circuits with several layers, it’s best to place the control ground somewhere in the middle layer during circuit design. The power traces can be placed on the top layers, while the bottom layer can handle the control traces. There’s a genuine reason to lay out your circuit in this manner. The middle layer will have a large ground path that helps prevent interference from the power circuits for better protection.

While this applies to any type of PCB, it is most important when designing and creating a power circuit. You want to ensure the width of the wire for the power supply is sized based on how much current will go through it. The reason this is essential is that a wire that is too small can generate additional heat and damage or destroy the wires.

Let Professionals Handle the Hard Work

Whether you are creating a prototype or the final PCB for a circuit design on a product you want to offer, there are many things that can go wrong. That’s precisely why working with professionals can be a great idea. Companies like Advanced Circuits have decades of experience and understand the ins and outs of PCBs. The company can manufacture PCBs of all sizes and levels of complexity to make your life a little easier.

As we mentioned earlier, Advanced Circuits provides software to design PCBs. They also have a FreeDFM file check, PCB Artist software, and more. The company has been leading the PCB industry for more than 25 years and has high-quality standards using the most innovative technology. Whether you need a small number of PCBs or tons of them for a major project, we can offer you a solution that meets your needs.

Prototype Challenges

The trouble is that a PCB prototype can be a costly endeavor, particularly when production issues are added to the equation. As an example, many manufacturers employ the following practices, which make PCB prototypes difficult to build.

• Lengthy production times – A cheap, fast production process is highly desirable where PCB prototypes are concerned. After all, it is key to product testing and design tweaks. Yet very few manufacturers offer a fast turnaround – such as one to five days – and it forces firms to rethink their options and skip a PCB prototype or product redesign.
• Order minimums – Too many PCB makers demand a minimum order quantity, which means the production of a number of the same PCB prototypes. This is a substantial waste of money and requires the company to find a use for – or flatly discard – a batch of PCB prototypes.
• Expensive design system – Hiring engineers and designers, investing in complicated and costly software, using printed films or evaluating digital files…these all cost a great deal but are typical steps in a standard PCB prototype design process.

The entire production process of any prototype PCB or standard PCB (from generating blueprints to making the substrate, printing the layers, UV hardening, copper removal, laminations, inspections, pressing, drilling, plating, imaging, etching, soldering, and silk screening stages and testing) will take a lot of time and generate a lot of expense. And yet, producers offering something like a one-day turnaround time are greeted with skepticism.

Considering the challenges of PCB prototype processes, that skepticism is wise, but there are producers capable of such feats. The team at Advanced Circuits, for instance, has a history of making the production of a PCB prototype, as well as full orders of PCBs, affordable, fast, and fail-proof.

How do they do this? They use unique tools and production methods that allow them to consistently rank at the top of the industry.

The Advanced Circuits PCB Prototype Production Process

The struggles of designing and producing a PCB prototype are even more complex than those points outlined earlier. For example, a PCB prototype runs the same risk of trouble if it runs beyond a single layer. There may be problems in the design that negate the functionality between layers, and this could render the PCB or PCB prototype unusable.

What can be done to facilitate an easier process? Advanced Circuits has created a PCB prototype process that overcomes most of the common concerns and hurdles. It includes:

• No minimums – With the ability to order a single, affordable PCB, the idea of quick prototype design is a reality. One-day turnarounds are an option, and this means that a company’s production or design processes are not significantly interrupted.
• Free software – One major concern for many companies is their need to invest in high-priced, high-tech design software. Advanced Circuits makes advanced options available entirely free of charge using their industry-recognized PCB Artist software. This software is available in an unrestricted format and comes with tutorials to speed up the learning curve. It also includes a discount when designs are run through the program – even a single PCB prototype order. Simply download the free software and use the program to create a prototype of up to 28 layers, using any of the half-million parts and components in the software’s built-in library.
• FreeDFM evaluation software – In addition to the advanced design software, there is a simple-to-use option that allows a client to upload Gerber files and have them analyzed and corrected. The software also generates a report indicating potential roadblocks.
• CAM engineer evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers long before production begins, helping to eliminate costly mistakes.
• Software-based ordering – Running the design through the free software allows for immediate ordering. A PCB prototype can be generated within the software, go through the FreeDFM and CAM engineer reviews, and receive a discount just as easily as a full batch of PCBs can.
• Full tech support – Advanced Circuits offers 24-hour tech support that features direct access to a CAM engineer to help troubleshoot PCB prototype or standard design dilemmas.

After all these features are used, a PCB prototype is typically prepared for error-free production. Advanced Circuits then makes the product at the most rapid pace imaginable. As an industry leader with decades of experience making PCB prototypes (as well as huge production batches of PCBs), they are suited to companies of any size.

Advanced Circuits Offers Other Benefits for PCB Prototyping

Their immense facility provides production and assembly through a streamlined and cost-efficient process. In addition to their PCB prototype services, they also offer the following:

• Full support – Unlike many other manufacturers, their team works with you every step of the way. They begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and walk all clients through to the final production and assembly phases.
• Clear pricing – Also, unlike many other producers, they do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other sneaky, but ultimately unnecessary, charges.
• Quality – While many in the PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ array of design resources, they also appreciate the inspection process beginning with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
• One-stop production – Everything takes place in the same place, from design tools, quality checks, design and production services, assembly, and anything else that’s needed to turn out a quality PCB prototype the first time.

A PCB prototype is just as important – if not more so – as the final PCB produced for a product line. Either way, the most affordable and hassle-free approach should be used, and a one-stop option like Advanced Circuits can be an invaluable partner in any company’s design and production process.

When they do custom PCB design work, they know that there are risks involved. The designs themselves might have tiny flaws that result in a batch of unworkable boards. There could be production delays and more. This is why so many look for the very best custom PCB design software and resources.

It Starts with PCB Design Software

PCB design software is an essential part of the custom PCB creation process. It often generates what are known as Gerber or IX274X files (they are one and the same). The very first phase in the production or manufacturing process, they are digital blueprints (though they can also be printed) for the board. Early in the industry’s history, the plans were printed on layers of transparent film that were color-coded to identify the different areas of the board and help to emphasize potential design flaws instantly.

This, clearly, was not an optimal approach because of the time and materials involved.

Modern computers and more advanced custom PCB design software have empowered designers to easily see the layers, make changes, and adjust the design. These designs are still similar in nature to plans used by architects and engineers. They look only at design and assembly processes, but they are unable to highlight errors or issues automatically.

Getting to the Heart of the Problem

What does this mean to the company in need of those custom PCBs? It means that even if using the very best custom PCB design software, there may be flaws in file types (including Gerber files) that result in unusable boards or lengthy and costly delays.

And this is particularly true in our modern age of outsourcing and production-only services.

As an example, a subcontracted manufacturer may handle the custom PCB Gerber files without recognizing a design glitch. Because they are a no-touch producer that just takes files and makes boards, it can often mean that the entire batch of custom PCBs is created, and only upon arrival will problems be recognized. Clearly, this will always create a financial, production, or scheduling dilemma.

This puts a lot of responsibility on firms using custom-printed circuit boards. It means they should find the optimal custom PCB design software and any resources available for avoiding major issues. It could be said that it also makes the company’s design team responsible for knowing where any flaws in their Gerber or other files might appear and how to best avoid such issues.

Does that sound like companies using PCBs have to find solutions even if they don’t yet know the problems? Yes, and it is vital to find manufacturers who support custom PCB design with risk-reduction solutions like evaluative tools and design resources.

Complimentary Custom PCB Design Software and Analytics

Advanced Circuits is among the most trusted and popular domestic producers of custom PCBs and prototypes. They provide full design-to-shipping services, as well as assembly.

More importantly, they are a company committed to ensuring their clients avoid expensive mistakes like those described earlier. They do this through an array of approaches, including an astonishing collection of free design tools and resources.

FreeDFM

Whether it is Gerber files or another design program, Advanced Circuits enables customers to export design files into the site’s free custom PCB file check software – FreeDFM. This runs a comprehensive analysis of the designs uploaded to the program. It sends the results to the specified contact person, including glitches fixed and issues left unaddressed but which warrant a red flag.

The program rapidly evaluates and repairs issues in the custom-printed circuit board design files, and tags “potential showstoppers,” or issues left uncorrected. This promises a waste-free process that eliminates delays or useless production runs. Running Gerber files before submission also provides a discount on a project.

PCB Artist

On top of evaluating plans, industry-best design software is also made available entirely free of charge. The custom PCB layout software, known as PCB Artist, is offered in its unrestricted format. It can be quickly and easily used to design custom PCBs with up to 28 layers, and each can feature elements from a library of more than 500,000 common parts and components. It is empowered with auto-routing design tools, digital schematics, and much more. This nearly eliminates any risks of a flawed design. These custom designs can also be sent through the file check to ensure error-free results and get a discount for the work.

Cut Down on Common Custom PCB Problems

Just what sort of issues will such tools identify and/or erase from Gerber files? The most common include:

• Conflicting layers – Gerber files feature design specifications at every layer. The designer has to ensure that the specs function synchronously or there will be errors at every subsequent layer.
• Missing data –Incomplete data is as damaging as missing data. Using the free custom PCB design software and checking services will indicate when details don’t line up with specifications or when there is mismatched information. Eliminating such errors will save a lot of time, money, and headaches.
• Flawed file names – It is not at all unusual for Gerber files to use a flawed naming protocol. This causes confusion within the process and can only be detected by file checking or troubleshooting ahead of the game.
• Empty files – Designers frequently move, erase, or negate data, and this inserts empty files into the process, increasing the risk of problems with the fabrication process.

Custom PCB design should be as error-free as standard design. There are reasons that such issues can occur, but with the free resources that Advanced Circuits makes available, such risks, delays, and problems are avoidable.

Today, a lot of overseas outsourcing has eliminated the one-on-one meetings and factory tours. Does it mean that there are no longer manufacturers who will uphold the standards of the past? The good news is that there are still manufacturers who can offer premier PC board design processes and match flawless production levels of the past. Some even have rapid turnaround times that compete with overseas providers.

Enjoy Optimal Results with High-Quality PC Board Design Tools

Advanced Circuits is a company of that caliber and is one of the most trusted and top-rated companies within the entire PCB and prototype assembly industry. Offering PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, they are particularly trusted for their PC board design.

Why? It all has to do with the fact that they are a full-service company with decades of experience and an array of services that have been crafted to improve and support any PCB project. These services include free resources such as:

Free PCB File Check – The FreeDFM program enables clients to run a free and fast design assessment of their pre-existing Gerber files or other design files. The software works easily and simply. The PC board design files are uploaded, and then the program evaluates the files and analyzes all essential data, automatically fixing some issues, and generating an easy to read and use report that explains what was fixed and where there may be other problematic issues. Clients who put it to use also enjoy a discount if they run the designs in advance of submitting them.

Naturally, there are many already using industry-preferred file formats, like Gerber files, and the free file checking program available from Advanced Circuits requires exporting these files from the program, uploading via the free online tool, and submitting the email where results should be sent. It takes only minutes, and a quote, discount code, and link to the PDF of the results will appear.

Free PCB Layout Software: PCB Artist – Customers enjoy entirely free access to this advanced software. It is a comprehensive PCB design tool that clients access in an unrestricted format. It is capable of up to 28 layers and includes more than 500,000 parts, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. Entirely free to use, it is also user-friendly and is frequently described by industry experts as the best PC board design tool. Clients of Advanced Circuits enjoy complimentary use of the program to save money and time while avoiding unnecessary flaws or mistakes. PCB Artist comes with printable tutorials and video options that walk users of every level through the traditionally complex process of PCB design and manufacturing. This means that any concerns about the time spent learning the software or similar issues can be set aside. Instead, a faster and more efficient process for design can be used, and PCBs can even be ordered directly through the software.

Every order the company receives also enjoys the benefits of a complementary engineering file review before the fabrication process is initiated. This ensures that customers never experience the kind of hassles and costly mistakes that so many others have experienced when working with “no-touch” services common to overseas and outsourced projects. In such instances, clients end up paying for unusable work that had correctable design flaws overlooked simply because the designs were unchecked prior to the fabrication processes.

Even More Motivation for Doing PC Board Design with Advanced Circuits

While the many free PCB design resources are more than enough to demonstrate why Advanced Circuits is a preferred provider, there are even further reasons to entrust the PC board design and fabrication process to them, including:

• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, they are glad to waive tooling charges and always cancel out such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than they might need or used.
• Not a broker – The company never subs out their work but instead relies on their top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kind of quality and speed most want don’t always receive.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around the clock is great, but they also feature a live tech support team that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
• Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the best on-time shipping record in the industry, and they are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, they say they “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time, or they’re FREE!”

So, is it possible to enjoy error-free PC board design using the no-touch approach? The answer is yes, and it is far easier than many think.

There are many reasons to choose Advanced Circuits. It isn’t just the free tools, the fast turnarounds, and the expert help. They also look to partner with their customers during the process of PCB design and manufacture. Offering tools to make everyone’s job easier and more effective, it makes good sense to get in touch with them now. Their instant quotes and easy order tracking guarantee that your firm can obtain top-quality PCBs designed flawlessly and to the most precise specifications – and the order will arrive on time, or it’s free!

Writing them without errors, though, is easier than it may seem. Gerber files are digital blueprints for your PCB. They detail each layer and shape the fabrication process that will be used to make even the most innovative designs. Many producers demand Gerber files, even if they are an assembly-only part of the process. This is to ensure clarity on all of the physical attributes of a PCB.

This means that even a single mistake will lead to all kinds of delays, financial issues, production problems, and losses. If you are using a “no-touch” manufacturer or fabricator, it also means it is a “no review” production process. They don’t analyze your Gerber files or PCB design, and it makes it easier than ever for incomplete, flawed, or inaccurate Gerber files to make their way into production, resulting in a PCB that doesn’t work.

Is the Gerber file so wrought with potential disaster as to make it a problem? No, it is simply that there are common glitches that are easily overlooked.

Common Glitches to Consider When Working with Gerber Files

Many are unaware of the most common problems with Gerber files, but it is immensely useful to know about them when entering into the PCB design and production process. These problems include:

• Empty files – Any designer may unintentionally delete or negate file content, leaving a 0-byte file that offers no workable data for the production or fabrication team.
• Flawed file naming protocols – Among the most common concerns with Gerber files is the use of a flawed file naming protocol. Leading to confusion for others involved in the process, this also complicates file checking or troubleshooting.
• Incomplete or missing data – Empty files are one thing, but it is also possible for details or information to be lacking or mismatched against the specifications delivered to a manufacturer. It is crucial for Gerber files to be where they belong, accessible, and complete.
• Conflict between layers – Some software creates multiple Gerber files with design specs at every layer. Should those layers fail to be combined synchronously, it can lead to composite layer design errors outside of individual layer design specs.
• Aperture lists – When Gerber files are in use, it is best to have a single aperture list with details the fabricator or manufacturer will need, as well as specs relating to the tools necessary for each stage. Multiple lists can mean errors, and the format of the lists should be in sync with the Gerber file format, as well.

Those experienced in Gerber file creation may think of such mistakes as avoidable or inexcusable, but they are common events. They doom most projects to huge production costs, lengthy delays, and failure. Avoiding them requires attention to detail, the use of high-definition CAD programs, implementing the best quality assurance practices from start to finish, and using a Gerber file viewer.

Because problems are so common, the best PCB manufacturers and fabricators offer free resources to prevent such issues.

Advanced Circuits Offers Support for Flawless Gerber Files

Advanced Circuits is among the top names in the PCB and prototype assembly industries. With the ability to handle PCB manufacturing (fabrication) and assembly, it provides clients with services that help improve all projects, especially the quality of their Gerber files. This is done by making a range of free resources available that support the creation of projects from first phase to final product.

Advanced Circuits offers the following options:

• The Advanced Circuits website has free PCB file check software for those with complete Gerber files ready to enter production. Known as FreeDFM, it is a program that will rapidly evaluate printed circuit board design files, correct many issues, and send a full report that identifies any other issues that could present problems along the way. Those who use this tool get a discount for simply running the files through the program. It does require an import of Gerber files (via an online upload). However, the software is free to use, and it will utilize the registered email address to send all of the analysis (in a PDF report) as well as the discount code.
• PCB Artist As anyone familiar with PCB design and manufacturing knows, most customers rarely get to tour a fabricator’s facilities or work one-on-one to address issues or avoid common errors. Once a great way to prevent problems, the global nature of PCB production makes this impossible. This is why Advanced Circuits offers another resource – the free PCB Artist program. This has a long list of features that guarantee an error-free design process and includes unrestricted design capabilities with a 28-layer limit, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and more. This is not the same as Gerber files but includes a full library of tutorials that help all users to create flawless files.
• Free Gerber file reviews, corrections, and reporting by an engineering expert.

Further Resources to Trust

While this array of design resources proves invaluable to many, Advanced Circuits also dedicates itself to client satisfaction and success in other ways. For example, work is never subcontracted, there are never tooling fees if an order sticks to standard specs, and there is 24-hour tech support provided by a CAM engineer. They make no minimum order requirements and have the best on-time shipping record in the industry, with many orders arriving ahead of schedule. They are so sure they can meet customer needs that Standard Spec orders are FREE if they fail to arrive on time.

Gerber files can be a major hassle, but the tools and services available via Advanced Circuits support only the best results. Avoiding costly errors and long production delays are a thing of the past when your files are created without errors or problems.

For instance, there is the initial circuit board design process. Then there are processes like film creation, mapping of copper paths, and V-scoring and testing. This is why promises of same-day production or turnaround are greeted with skepticism and raised eyebrows. However, Advanced Circuits is able to deliver on same-day turnaround times, flawless design, and more.

Single-Space Circuit Board Design and Production Plant

It is rare to find circuit board design solutions in a single facility or space. However, Advanced Circuits has over 25 years in the circuit boards industry and ranks as one of the largest one-stop providers. Specializing in circuit boards and prototypes, we have a comprehensive set of services and solutions that include:

• One day PCB production: Among the only PCB providers capable of manufacturing and assembling circuit boards in a single day, we have the ability to provide circuit board designs of great complexity in a short amount of time.
• Full support: Unlike many other manufacturers, our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and guide you through to the final production and assembly phases.
• Quality: With free design and testing resources, clients can be assured of the overall quality of the product they will receive. However, a full CAM review is done before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards.
• Transparent pricing: There are no hidden fees or sneaky pricing that covers essential services, including stenciling fees, setup fees, and other unnecessary charges.
• One-stop solution: Circuit board design benefits immensely from seamless design, review, and production options. With everything happening under one roof, it means designers and engineers are on-site to evaluate and remediate when necessary. It means no risk for errors, delays, and costly problems.

After Circuit Board Design Comes Evaluation and Production

Of course, circuit board design is not all about production. Yes, speed and efficiency are amazingly beneficial, but only if the initial circuit board design is all it is meant to be.

This is something Advanced Circuits understands. We add value to customers’ experiences and outcomes with such services and benefits as:

• No minimum orders: No need to lock a huge segment of the budget into meeting the financial demands of minimum orders on simple to complex circuit board designs with this substantial option.
• CAM engineer evaluations: All products are evaluated by one of our in-house engineers long before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
• Free design software: The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business. Advanced Circuits offers proprietary and exclusive PCB Artist software available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It downloads to a client’s Windows-based desktop and is capable of up to 28 layers in a single design. The program has over 500k parts from which to choose, integrates a controlled auto-router function to speed up design processes, and offers multi-page schematics for more complex projects. With a complete library of tutorials to train those using the program, there is no reason not to take advantage of it.
• Free evaluation software: For those already using a CAM program of their own, the option for FreeDFM allows the manufacturing quality of a design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and loaded to the online software, which reviews the entire file, corrects any glitches, and generates a report indicating changes or potential problems.
• Full tech support: While it’s great to have customer support around the clock, few PCB firms offer their clients an opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer. Advanced Circuits has experts of this kind available 24 hours a day.

Going Above and Beyond for Your Success

Another benefit of working with Advanced Circuits is that it is possible to use our available resources and then order through the free software. Rather than downloading and re-uploading, it is possible to simply use the software options and then run an order through at the end of the review and correction process. The CAM engineer review is always done, regardless of the channel used to order, and there is always a discount for making an order directly through the free resources.

Not everything has to be outsourced or complex, and your circuit board design and production don’t have to involve multiple companies that put you at risk for error. When there are such easy, free, and comprehensive solutions, the risks are erased, money and time are saved, and production schedules guaranteed.

Partnering with Advanced Circuits means designers and producers get a unique experience marked by attention to detail. This is different from the “no-touch” approach that so many circuit board design firms are forced to work with. Demanding pre-tested files, they just run the project “as is,” jeopardizing the budget should there be undetected errors. The team at Advanced Circuits runs each circuit board design through expert examinations long before production begins.

Your One-Stop-Shop for PCB Design Needs

Why work with a broker when there is an option to pair up with one-stop specialists? We offer some of the fastest turnaround times and the best on-time shipping record in the industry.

Printed circuit board design does not have to be a gamble or a process that involves all kinds of back and forth between designers and producers. Whether you want a one-off or prototype with a fast turnaround time (even a single day), or you are looking for a solution that integrates design, testing, production, and assembly in one space, you’ll find it here at Advanced Circuits.

Designing any sort of device that requires a PCB with SMT means:

• The device can provide many more functions. SMT drops the total weight of a PCB. It is not as labor-intensive and has little need for drilling and soldering that can cause malfunctions. Smaller devices that work better and cost less are one direct benefit.
• Automation is easier. Using SMT means leveraging mass production of PCBs, and yet also enjoying higher quality and performance.
• Reduced costs and production times. Eliminating drilling and the time it takes is another key benefit of SMT.

Unfortunately, not all producers of PCBs can extend SMT to customers utilizing their designing, manufacturing, and assembly processes.

Advanced Circuits Has Surface-Mount Technology

At Advanced Circuits, buyers are able to enjoy the benefits that come from SMT in addition to an astonishing range of free tools and resources that can make even more of surface-mount technology and PCBs.

We are a top name in PCB and prototyping, offering all clients an array of tools essential to top-notch SMT production. While we might offer an umbrella statement or two about SMT, we feel it better to explain how we make it available to buyers. For example, we have SMT Solder Paste Stencils available as part of our options for those who need a one-off or “by-hand” SMT manufacturing and design option.

If you are looking for something more, we also have advanced design tools that enable easy integration of SMT features and designs.

Resources Chosen for SMT

Those familiar with the PCB design process are already well-versed in the issue of Gerber file designs and other PCB design programs. Often, this may mean that the advanced technology is used, but the design left untested. This is especially the case when producers utilize the common no-touch approach. Typical to the outsourced and brokered services, the clients’ designs are accepted and run, without any sort of engineering review. When one is mandatory, it means that the file is reviewed long before fabrication begins and is intended to identify design flaws or potential issues that might lead to delays or wasted resources.

Advance Circuits Offers Resources for SMT Designs and Projects

FreeDFM– This is software designed to perform a complimentary and rapid design assessment. The software is easy to use and guarantees that key data is available; it will even make corrections to some common design issues. It generates a full report and promises great outcomes. It does not matter if a PCB features traditional drilling or SMT; it will emerge an improved and error-free design once reviewed through this software. Those who utilize the program also enjoy a discount if the design is submitted through the software. It can do a full conversion to Gerber format in only a few minutes, provide a quote, extend the discount code, and feature a link to the PDF of the full report.

PCB Artist – Clients enjoy 100% free access to this PCB design software, as well as accessing the unrestricted copy of the software. With the ability to manage up to 28 layers and featuring a library of over 500,000 parts, an auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and surface-mount technology features, it can meet even the most advanced demands. It is recognized as an industry-best PCB design tool.

At Advanced Circuits, we also provide standard and traditional client services to clients, too. What does that mean? All SMT orders have a full CAM engineer review. This guarantees that your design, even if extremely complex, gets a full and expert evaluation and any adjustments needed.

On top of all of this, we also have further benefits for those who decide to team up with our firm for their PCB needs (whether or not SMT is part of the overall design). Our additional benefits include:

• No minimum orders. There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than might be needed. Prototyping is an option – even with SMT features.
• 24-hour support. Customer service around-the-clock features live tech support that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
• Best shipping record. Advanced Circuits has the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and we’re now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we say we “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!”
• No tooling charges. When an order features Standard Specifications, we are glad to waive tooling charges and always cancel such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
• Not a broker. We never sub out our work but instead count on our top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility that guarantees the kinds of quality and speed most want but cannot always receive.
• Dedicated client pages. Here you can look through past orders, see the specs and details, look at quotes from other jobs, and even review hold notices, test certifications, and a long list of other helpful reports.
• We are stable. With more than two decades of work in this industry, a healthy bottom line, and many dedicated clients, we are among the most stable of providers, guaranteed to be around for years after your projects are completed.

We also have an enormous and fully-capable plant that incorporates design, production, assembly, and shipping services all in one space, emphasizing efficiency at every step of the way.

Using SMT makes perfect sense, and yet it can often come at a premium price with lots of costly and risky production requirements or gaps in service. It is imperative that producers have a chance to submit designs for expert review, get feedback and corrections, and get what is needed. Why operate within the “no-touch” system when you can get prototypes, reviews, and free tools for projects of any complexity from Advanced Circuits?

• Far more functionality in the device – Surface-mount technology reduces the total weight of almost all PCBs. And yet, producing them is less demanding where labor is concerned, because it eliminates drilling and soldering to a great degree. This means lighter, smaller PCBs with less risk of malfunction.
• Compact and functional – SMT means smaller devices that work better and cost less.
• Automation – Using surface-mount technology allows any producer to leverage the benefits of mass-produced PCBs, resulting in higher-quality, better-performing PCBs.
• Lower costs and shorter production times – By eliminating several standard production steps, it makes surface-mount technology faster and less costly.

Can all PCB makers offer surface-mount technologies? Sadly, no, and that makes it important for any device makers or designers to spend time seeking out options for integrating SMT into their designing, manufacturing, and assembly processes.

At Advanced Circuits, all clients can access the long list of benefits that come from surface-mount technologies. While that alone is a good enough reason to explore our options, we also have a long list of complimentary tools and resources that allow buyers to make the very most of the technology.

Make the Most of SMT and Advanced Circuits’ Resources

As a leading name in PCB and prototyping, Advanced Circuits is also noted for its many free tools that empower SMT to the greatest degree possible. For instance, for the DIY, one-off, or by-hand SMT designers, there are SMT Solder Paste Stencils available. While not free, they are a unique option few others make available.

For those eager to use SMT tools and resources in their PCB designs, we have advanced design tools that enable easy integration of surface-mount technologies. It all starts with Gerber files. This is the most familiar and common file type used in the PCB production process, and whether or not a Gerber file is used often impacts whether the designs are left untested when sent in for production.

In fact, the process known as no-touch production is just that – the maker takes the files and produces them without any sort of engineering review. Buyers who work with brokered or outsourced systems encounter this issue regularly and face the financial risks of flawed designs.

An optimal producer should make an engineering review mandatory prior to beginning fabrication as it will identify any potential issues that might lead to delays or wasted resources. Advanced Circuits offers free tools for surface-mount technology designs that overcome these typical hurdles.

Free Tools for SMT Design

PCB Artist – Producers get 100% free access to a fully unrestricted version of this PCB design software. Its capabilities include management of up to 28 layers, a library of more than 500,000 parts, an auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and SMT support. This means it will meet even the most advanced demands. This software is consistently recognized as an industry-best PCB design tool.

FreeDFM– In addition to nearly fail-proof design software, clients can also use this free rapid design assessment software. Amazingly intuitive and easy to use, it ensures that all essential data is available; it can also provide corrections to common design issues. It generates a full report of its findings and can manage complex surface-mount technology designs as well as standard designs with soldering and drilling. Once it completes reviewing the design, it promises an error-free product, and this is why those who use it get a discount if the design is submitted through the software. It can do a full conversion to Gerber format in only a few minutes, provide a quote, and extend the discount code.

Standard Services – Those who use Advanced Circuits to produce PCBs also have free use of the traditional client services. This means that every SMT order receives a full CAM engineer review, ensuring your design of any level of complexity receives a full and expert evaluation and any adjustments needed.

Partnering for Success

In addition to all of this complimentary expertise, further benefits of a partnership with Advanced Circuits include:

• No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, we are glad to waive tooling charges and always cancel such fees on reorders of Standard Spec and Custom Spec items.
• 24-hour support – Customer service around-the-clock features live tech support that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
• Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry. We’re now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we say we “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!”
• Not a broker – We never sub out our work but instead count on our top-of-the-line, 62,000-square-foot facility to guarantee the kind of quality and speed many want but don’t always receive.
• No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements. Clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than might be needed. Prototyping is an option, even with SMT features.
• Custom and private client pages – Look through past orders, see the specs and details, look at quotes from other jobs, and even review hold notices, test certifications, and a long list of other helpful reports.
• Stability – With more than two decades of work in this industry, a healthy bottom line, and many dedicated clients, we are among the most stable of providers, guaranteed to be around for years after your projects are completed.

One More Plus

The production plant also has to be seen as a benefit because it allows 100% in-house design, production, and assembly. Not only is this efficient, but it promises the level of familiarity and attention to detail that few SMT producers provide.

Incorporating surface-mount technology into your PCB design is a practical and innovative way to get the most out of any design. It used to be a premium element and demanded a bit of risk. Advanced Circuits gives you the tools and resources you need to create high-quality PCBs every time.