Summary of NEXT DFM: A PCBS LIFE-SAVER?
This article introduces Next DFM, a Design for Manufacturability (DFM) analysis software by Next PCB. It helps designers minimize errors and costs by analyzing Gerber files for manufacturability issues like pad sizes, track widths, and spacing. The tool also offers a physical simulation preview to visualize PCB colors, finishes, and layers before ordering.
Parts used in the Next DFM Project:
- Next DFM software
- Gerber files
- Altium software
- PCB boards manufacturer Next PCB
Have you ever had problems with your PCB designs and had to remake any of them after having the “final” prototype in your hand? If you are one of these non-human geniuses that made only masterpiece-like, immaculate PCBs, please, throw the first stone. As we are not, and had to perform many revisions of our PCBs, we are always looking for ways to minimize our (expected) human errors, which can save us some money at the end of the day. This is why we bring today to the table, to meet a possible new PCB design partner, Next DFM. Now, is it useful for you? Let us check on that.
What is Next DFM? It is a PCB design analysis software, developed by the PCB boards manufacturer Next PCB. Being frustrated with many failed designs that end in the garbage pile, we decided to give this app a try. By placing the Gerber files on the Next DFM and running the DFM (Design For Manufacturability) analysis, the software gives you a considerable amount of information. Some of it is obvious to the designer (like the layer count and the dimensions), others may be interesting, such as minimum pad size, hole diameter, SMD’s spacing, minimum track width and spacing, hole to hole, and hole to track spacing, to name a few. But if you are a good designer, and using good software, as Altium example, most of the information given you already have configured on the rules before starting to route everything up, and checked it all after performing DRC (Design Rules Check).
Along with the one-click analysis, which we have just seen, there are other two major functionalities in this app. Starting with the PCB physical simulation preview, it sort of works as the preliminary step in order to order a board, where you can easily switch the PCB color and its finish, check also the layers, and easily switch between the design and the simulation views.
Read more: NEXT DFM: A PCBS LIFE-SAVER?
- What is Next DFM?
It is a PCB design analysis software developed by the PCB boards manufacturer Next PCB. - How does Next DFM help designers?
It minimizes human errors and saves money by providing information on manufacturability through DFM analysis of Gerber files. - Can Next DFM check minimum pad size and hole diameter?
Yes, the software provides information such as minimum pad size, hole diameter, SMD's spacing, and minimum track width. - Does Next DFM offer a physical simulation preview?
Yes, it includes a PCB physical simulation preview that allows users to switch PCB color and finish. - Can users switch between design and simulation views in Next DFM?
Yes, users can easily switch between the design and the simulation views within the app. - Is the information provided by Next DFM new to experienced designers?
No, most information given is already configured in rules or checked via DRC in good software like Altium. - Why did the authors decide to try Next DFM?
They were frustrated with many failed designs ending in the garbage pile and wanted to minimize expected human errors. - What is the one-click analysis feature in Next DFM?
It is a major functionality that runs DFM analysis on placed Gerber files to provide considerable amounts of information.
