PCB-Pal

Learn PCB Design

Master PCB design fundamentals and avoid common manufacturing pitfalls.

PCB Design Fundamentals

🔧 Design Rules

  • • Minimum trace width: 0.1mm (4 mil)
  • • Via size: 0.2mm (8 mil) minimum
  • • Clearance: 0.1mm between traces
  • • Drill holes: 0.15mm minimum

📏 Best Practices

  • • Keep traces short and direct
  • • Use ground planes for noise reduction
  • • Separate analog and digital sections
  • • Add test points for debugging

⚠️ Common Errors

Trace Width Issues

Traces too thin for current requirements

Via Problems

Vias too small or poorly placed

Clearance Violations

Insufficient spacing between elements

🛠️ Manufacturing

Solder Mask

Proper openings and coverage

Silkscreen

Readable text and component labels

Drill Files

Accurate hole sizes and positions

📚 Resources

Design Guidelines

Industry standard practices

Component Libraries

Verified footprints and symbols

Tutorials

Step-by-step design guides

💡 Pro Tips

Before You Design

  • • Check manufacturer capabilities
  • • Define your design constraints
  • • Plan your layer stackup
  • • Consider assembly requirements

Before You Order

  • • Run PCB-Pal analysis
  • • Verify component footprints
  • • Check Gerber files visually
  • • Review drill and pick files