Circuit Board Layout Techniques

Hi everyone,

This post will discuss the importance of PCB designing in electronics projects and a quick presentation on Circuit Board Layout Techniques compiled by one of our members.

For beginners, the toughest part of circuit designing seems to be the SCHEMATIC of the circuit and next thing is to place the components neatly on the board. After that, the AUTO-ROUTER seems to be your best friend in the world. But, you might be wrong!

Let us first discuss routing. The connections which one makes in the schematic only defines the electrical connections in the software so that you can visually locate the connections in the BOARD design. These visual connections are called AIRWIRES which actually means that they haven't been routed yet and that an electrical connection is pending. Routing in PCB designing context refers to the procedure of laying actual copper TRACES on the board which makes a conducting path for the signal. These TRACES are like the connecting wires in a breadboard circuit.

One must never forget that the AUTO-ROUTER is just an add-on tool offered by the PCB DESIGNING SOFTWARE or LAYOUT EDITORS as they call themselves, and not a mandatory step in designing the board. Infact, all PCB manufacturers prefer MANUAL ROUTING over AUTO-ROUTING.

Then why do these softwares have an AUTO-ROUTER???
All that being said, AUTO-ROUTERS are good for beginners and result in WORKING boards. But they must be used for simple digital circuits that donot involve any analog components. Wireless communication modules are also not recommended in such designs.

Following is a presentation compiled by one of our members which summarizes various issues in PCB layout and designing. Also, all members of CircuitsInc make boards which comply with these standards. So, get your free PCB design now.

Click here to Download Powerpoint Show
Click here to Download PDF

Procedure for getting your PCB designed. [UPDATE]

Hi. The following are guidelines for a smooth transaction between us and the customers.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO:

1. Send us an email at project@circuitsinc.tk. 
1. Mention clearly your name, location, your status(student, professional) and purpose of the PCB.
2. Send in your circuit description in any digital form. You can even send us photographs of your hand drawn circuits or links to circuit diagrams.

WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU:

1. A member of the Circuits Team will get in touch with you within 24 hrs via email and clarify the doubts he/she has.
2. Give us some time depending on the complexity of your circuit.
3. We will then send you the following formats of the PCB via email.
1. GERBER format.
2. Schematic(.sch) and Board(.brd) format (EAGLE files).
3. PNG images of schematic and board.
4. Partslist(List of components) in Excel format(.xls).
4. We then request you to post your reviews on the blog. If you agree we would like to post the project on our blog too.

We guarantee 100% privacy of both identity and project.

Don't think we have it??? Try us out now...