Episode 385: 20 PCB Design Pitfalls

PCB Design Pitfalls

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

Who let the smoke out?

Clem had a custom PCB manufactured but got tripped up by some PCB design pitfalls that released the magic smoke on the first test run. Today, he shares his Top 20 Tips and Tricks to avoid common PCB design pitfalls and keep your project on track! These beautiful PCBs were made by Aisler.net in Germany, but even the best manufacturer can‘t fix errors made while designing the boards.

Share your PCB Design Tips in the comments below!

Software used KiCad: download at KiCad EDA

PCBs manufactured by Aisler in Germany Aisler.net A Maker run business, founded by Felix Plitzko of Freie Maker e.V.,Germany

They also do different size batch runs for Makers like Crowdfunding campaigns, perks and Patreon rewards as well as full scale production runs.

Top Comments

danielw over 3 years ago in reply to davedarko

Dave, That's a nice video and is on my watch list for the weekend.
Dan.
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davedarko over 3 years ago in reply to danielw

There are tutorials by Andrew Sowa for doing this kind of stuff in KiCad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QPkSICzRDk
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danielw over 3 years ago in reply to davedarko

Dave, they are awesome!

I'd decided to make a badge a few years ago for my kids to make but never quite finished the artwork in KiCad, I did manage to buy batteries, LED's, switches... Basically everything but the PCB's I'm tempted to finish it off, however, I feel I'm going to need to make my first purchase on tindie!
Dan.
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davedarko over 3 years ago in reply to danielw

Hi Daniel, thank you for your interest. Here are some of my pcb designs
https://hackaday.io/project/25944-kitt-knight-rider-badgebrooch
https://hackaday.io/project/28330-sloth-badge
https://hackaday.io/project/33886-spacehuhn-badge
https://hackaday.io/project/162293-penghicorn
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airbornesurfer over 3 years ago

"Sleeping on it" is probably the most challenging thing to wrap my head around sometimes. I tend to want to keep attacking something with a pickaxe until one of us collapses. Probably not the best way to approach a challenge....

Great food for thought, though, for when I try to design a board again!
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mayermakes over 3 years ago in reply to danielw

you´ll find him davedarko and under the same nickname on twitter hackaday and tindie.
the episode before this one was done by him.
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danielw over 3 years ago in reply to mayermakes

You're welcome,
Where I used to work we had a first off challenge of only one cut and one strap on prototype boards.
I've been looking for the Dave who does the PCB badges. Do you have a link?

Dan.
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mayermakes over 3 years ago in reply to danielw

nobody is invincible! thanks for sharing your experience!
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danielw over 3 years ago

Nice video, and nice explosion!
Definitely check, sleep, then check again! On one PCB I designed in a rush, I missed off pin 1 reference for one of the custom ic's it's a nightmare. In my head at the time the way the chip goes on was obvious, so I didn't check it. When it came to production I got a call while I was on holiday from a confused assembly company. Lucky all the ic's were the same orientation!

Dan.
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mayermakes over 3 years ago in reply to pjnoxon

yes I agree, If there is room to spare, you should always leave some room to fit alternative components or just make assembly easier.
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