Designing for Success: How DFM, DFT, and DFA Impact PCB Production
This one-hour webinar will teach you how to design printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are easy to manufacture, test, and assemble. You’ll learn about three important design principles: Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and Design for Assembly (DFA). These principles help you create PCBs that save time, lower costs, and ensure the final product works as expected.
We’ll explain what DFM, DFT, and DFA mean and why they matter for your design. You’ll see how DFM makes simple PCBs by choosing the right materials, layer stack-ups, and trace sizes. Then, we’ll explore DFT, ensuring your board can be easily tested to catch any issues before production. Finally, we’ll cover DFA, which helps make assembly smoother by correctly placing components and avoiding errors.
Throughout the webinar, we’ll share real-world examples of what happens when these principles are followed—and when they’re not. You’ll also learn about necessary IPC standards, like IPC-2221 and IPC-A-610, that guide good PCB design practices. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to create reliable, cost-effective, and easy PCBs.
This webinar is perfect for anyone working on PCB designs, from beginners to experienced designers. Whether creating your first board or looking to improve your process, this session will give you the tools and tips to succeed. Join us to learn how to design PCBs that work perfectly from the start!
Speaker Bios
John Watson brings over 44 years of experience in the electronics industry, with 24 of those dedicated to PCB design and engineering. Throughout his distinguished career, John has worked with leading companies such as Teledyne API, Emerson Computer Power, and Legrand Corporation. He also served honorably in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence field. John is a technical expert in using various PCB Design ECAD Software.
A significant undertaking is honing the next generation of PCB Designers, enhancing proficiency in PCB Design, and improving the overall quality of PCB design workflows for industry-leading companies.
In addition to his industry role, John is a professor at Palomar College in San Marcos and the University of California San Diego, teaching foundational and advanced PCB design courses. He is also a highly regarded author, contributing regularly to blogs and white papers and as a monthly columnist for I-Connect007. John is the author of two books on Library and Data Management and is a sought-after international speaker, having delivered lectures across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
As a member of the IPC Designer Leadership Council, John is deeply committed to shaping the future of PCB design education and resources. Being part of an organization that has influenced the industry for decades remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
The Engineering Webinar Series will provides FREE, live, monthly educational experiences and videos discussing key design issues surrounding aspects of quality, defect detection & remediation, and design finalization & fabrication. All sessions are recorded and registered attendees will receive a link to the video to watch on-demand.