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PCB101- PCB Design & Manufacturing

4.5

Based on 258 ratings

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Develop your PCB design skills with a deep understanding of the PCB manufacturing industry

With my 20+ years of PCB manufacturing experience, I will teach you things that would have taken you years to learn at your job.

This course is designed for new graduates and new engineers so the topics are explained in a simple manner to the audience. The course covers lots of information and topics which would help you become a good PCB "LAYOUT" designer. These skills go beyond your software skills and abilities.

What You Will Learn:

Read more

Develop your PCB design skills with a deep understanding of the PCB manufacturing industry

With my 20+ years of PCB manufacturing experience, I will teach you things that would have taken you years to learn at your job.

This course is designed for new graduates and new engineers so the topics are explained in a simple manner to the audience. The course covers lots of information and topics which would help you become a good PCB "LAYOUT" designer. These skills go beyond your software skills and abilities.

What You Will Learn:

Different types of PCBs
File formats used in the PCB industry
PCB materials and stack-ups
Design Rule Checks
Design for Manufacturing
You will learn how to improve your design to lower the cost of your PCB
You will have a better understanding of career opportunities in different PCB fields.
Somewhat understanding of how to read material data sheets

Updated 31-03-2024

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Guides students toward skills that make them valuable hires in the PCB manufacturing field

Provides a bedrock understanding of PCB manufacturing standards

Taught by an industry professional with 20 years of experience

Suitable for new graduates seeking a quick on-ramp

Provides knowledge that can be immediately applied on the job

Covers topics not typically taught in formal education settings

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Reviews summary

Practical pcb design for new engineers

According to learners, PCB101 offers a highly practical and industry-focused approach to PCB design and manufacturing. Students frequently commend the instructor's extensive industry experience, which provides invaluable insights often missing in other courses. The course is praised for its clear and simple explanations, making complex topics accessible for new graduates and beginners. Many highlight the focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and cost reduction as particularly useful, enabling them to improve their designs significantly. While it excels at foundational knowledge and industry practices, some suggest supplementary resources for specific software skills or advanced topics.

Strong emphasis on Design for Manufacturing and cost optimization.

"Learning how to improve my design to lower the cost of my PCB was one of the most valuable takeaways for me."

"The section on Design Rule Checks and Design for Manufacturing was incredibly helpful for practical application."

"I can now optimize my designs much better, thanks to the insights on manufacturability and cost efficiency."

Topics are explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

"As a new engineer, I found the explanations incredibly clear and straightforward, perfect for someone just starting out."

"The simple way the topics are broken down made complex concepts much easier to grasp than I expected."

"I felt this course was designed well for beginners, not overwhelming but still very informative."

Provides essential, real-world PCB manufacturing knowledge.

"This course provided me with practical knowledge about the PCB manufacturing process that is essential for a layout designer."

"It filled gaps in my understanding of the industry side of PCB design, like DFM and material choices."

"I gained a much better understanding of how designs impact manufacturing and cost, which is crucial in the real world."

Benefits from an instructor with 20+ years of industry experience.

"The instructor's vast experience in PCB manufacturing is a huge asset. I learned so much from their real-world insights."

"His 20+ years of experience really shines through; he teaches things you won't find in textbooks or typical courses."

"I appreciated the depth of knowledge shared, clearly coming from years of practical work in the field."

Beneficial when supplemented with other learning resources.

"While excellent for manufacturing theory, I found I needed to supplement it with more hands-on practice using actual design software."

"This course is a great base, but for practical application, I suggest combining it with a software-specific tutorial."

"I would recommend this course for the theoretical aspects, but for deeper dives into certain topics, external research is needed."

Teaches core principles beyond specific software tools.

"The course focuses on principles and industry practices, which is great, but remember it won't teach you specific CAD software skills."

"It's important to know this course isn't about specific PCB design software; it's about the 'why' and 'how' of PCB design."

"I understand it's not a software tutorial, but some basic examples or connections to common tools would have been a bonus."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in PCB101- PCB Design & Manufacturing with these activities:

Review electrical theory

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Review the basics of electricity, which are fundamental to PCB design.

Browse courses on Electrical Circuits

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Read a book on electrical theory, such as Dell's Electrical Theory and Application
Take an online course on electrical theory

Follow tutorials on PCB layout software

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PCB design requires proficiency in specialized software. Tutorials provide a structured way to develop this proficiency.

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Find tutorials on PCB layout software, such as Altium or Eagle
Follow the tutorials step-by-step
Create your own PCB layout designs using the software

Join a study group with other students in the class

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Study groups provide opportunities to collaborate with peers, discuss course materials, and clarify concepts.

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Find other students in the class who are interested in forming a study group
Meet regularly to discuss course materials and work on assignments together

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Practice designing PCBs

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PCB design is a skill that requires practice and repetition.

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Design a simple PCB layout
Get feedback on your design from an experienced designer
Revise your design based on feedback
Repeat the process until you are satisfied with your design

Create a reference guide for PCB design

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A reference guide can serve as an ongoing resource for students, helping them retain information and quickly find answers to questions.

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Gather information on PCB design from various sources, such as books, articles, and websites
Organize the information into a logical structure
Create a document or website that presents the information in a clear and concise manner

Volunteer with a non-profit organization that designs PCBs

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Working on real-world projects can provide valuable experience and help students apply their knowledge in a practical setting.

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Find a non-profit organization that designs PCBs
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteering opportunities
Assist the organization with PCB design projects

Design a PCB for a personal project

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Designing a PCB for a personal project allows students to apply their knowledge to a meaningful task and build a sense of accomplishment.

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Come up with an idea for a personal project that involves PCB design
Design the PCB layout using PCB design software
Order the PCB from a manufacturer
Assemble the PCB and test it

Career center

Learners who complete PCB101- PCB Design & Manufacturing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Printed Circuit Board Designer

This course would be a good foundation for a Printed Circuit Board Designer. With the comprehensive knowledge of PCB design and manufacturing, it can help you get started in this field. With a fit score of 100, this course is your best option for this role, and it will directly teach you the necessary skills to be successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Printed Circuit Board Designer

Electronic Design Engineer

An Electronic Design Engineer designs and develops electronic circuits and systems. This course can help you get started with the basics of PCB Design which you will use frequently in this role. Since understanding the manufacturing side of things is also important, this course would help with that. With a fit score of 90, this course will help you begin your path to becoming an Electronic Design Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Design Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for the design and development of electrical systems, including electrical circuits and wiring. This course covers a range of topics that are relevant to the work of an Electrical Engineer, including PCB design and manufacturing. With a fit score of 80, this course can help you build a foundation for a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers oversee the production of products, ensuring that they are manufactured efficiently and meet quality standards. This course can help you gain a valuable understanding of the PCB manufacturing process. It can help you be successful at this role because you will understand the design as well as the manufacturing side of the business. With a fit score of 60, this course can be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers ensure that products meet quality standards. This course can help you gain a valuable understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process, as well as how to read material data sheets. With this understanding, you will be more equipped to work as a Quality Assurance Engineer. With a fit score of 50, this course may be useful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning and execution of projects. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better manage projects that involve the design and manufacture of PCBs. With a fit score of 40, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for technical products and services. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better create documentation for products that involve PCBs. With a fit score of 30, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers sell technical products and services. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better sell products and services that involve PCBs. With a fit score of 25, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Managers oversee the purchasing of goods and services for a company. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better purchase PCBs for your company. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Purchasing Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better manage the supply chain for PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a company. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better manage the operations of a company that manufactures PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and make recommendations for improvements. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better analyze business processes that involve the design and manufacture of PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and expertise to businesses. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better provide advice to businesses that design and manufacture PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better start and run a business that designs and manufactures PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of the PCB design and manufacturing process. With this understanding, you will be able to better teach students about the design and manufacture of PCBs. With a fit score of 20, this course may be helpful for your future in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in PCB101- PCB Design & Manufacturing.

Cover image

Cover image

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage

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This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the PCB design and manufacturing process. It good resource for those who want to learn more about the PCB industry.

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage...

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage...

ISBN #0072323159 - Operations Management for...

Cover image

Cover image

Building a Successful Board-Test Strategy

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Provides a comprehensive overview of PCB manufacturing. It good resource for those who want to learn more about the PCB manufacturing process.

Building a Successful Board-Test Strategy by...

Mass Market Paperback

Building a Successful Board-Test Strategy (Test and...

Printed Circuit Boards

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Provides a comprehensive overview of printed circuit board technology. It good resource for those who want to learn more about the PCB design and manufacturing process.

Printed Circuit Boards

Printed Circuit Boards

Cover image

Cover image

Inside OrCAD Capture for Windows

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Provides a comprehensive overview of OrCAD, a popular PCB design software package. It good resource for those who want to learn more about OrCAD and how to use it to design PCBs.

Inside OrCAD Capture for Windows

Inside OrCAD Capture for Windows

Cover image

Cover image

KiCad Complete Reference Manual

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Provides a comprehensive overview of KiCad, a popular open-source PCB design software package. It good resource for those who want to learn more about KiCad and how to use it to design PCBs.

KiCad Complete Reference Manual

Cover image

Cover image

High-speed Signal Propagation

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Provides a collection of rules of thumb and guidelines to help you layout and design your PCBs.

High-speed Signal Propagation

High-speed Signal Propagation

Cover image

Cover image

Printed Circuit Board Design Using AutoCAD

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Provides step-by-step instructions on how to use AutoCAD to design PCBs. It good resource for those who are already familiar with AutoCAD and want to learn more about PCB design.

Printed Circuit Board Design Using AutoCAD (EDN...

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Rating

4.5

Effort

17 total hours

Via

Udemy

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Guides students toward skills that make them valuable hires in the PCB manufacturing field

Provides a bedrock understanding of PCB manufacturing standards

Taught by an industry professional with 20 years of experience

Suitable for new graduates seeking a quick on-ramp

Provides knowledge that can be immediately applied on the job

Covers topics not typically taught in formal education settings

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