# Ep. 8 | From Prototype to Market: Design for Manufacturability with Untapped Engineering Resources

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2020-08-25
- Length: 35m
- Episode: 8
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/moores-lobby-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability

## Summary

Host Dave Finch interviews Dr. Don Kai Shenguan of Untapped Engineering Resources and Mark Hughes of Royal Circuits Solutions about the critical importance of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) in electronics. The guests explain how engaging with Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) partners early in the design cycle prevents costly errors, such as single-source component obsolescence or unnecessary complexity like buried vias. They emphasize that modern EMS companies act as design partners, offering value engineering to optimize yield and cost, rather than just executing prints. The discussion highlights the need for young engineers to gain practical board design experience using tools like Altium and Cadence to bridge the gap between academic theory and production reality.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=2) Introduction: DFM, DFX, and the role of EMS partners
- [2:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=178) Dr. Don Kai Shenguan on DFM reviews and early engagement
- [9:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=574) The evolution of EMS from contractors to design partners
- [15:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=955) Timing certification and compliance (FCC, UL) in the design process
- [21:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=1310) Mark Hughes on value engineering and avoiding costly design mistakes
- [27:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=1645) Case study: Single-source component obsolescence and redesign costs
- [30:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee#t=1841) Recommended EDA tools (Altium, Cadence) and engineer training

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Untapped Engineering Resources (company)
- Royal Circuits Solutions (company)
- Aqueous Tech (company)
- Altium (tool)
- Cadence (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Jabil (company)
- Flex (company)
- Foxconn (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [142: Preparing Your Product for Manufacturing Overseas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-09-21-142-preparing-your-product-for-manufacturing-overseas) (Product Startup)
- [196: Common Gaps Being Ready for Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-10-05-196-common-gaps-being-ready-for-manufacturing) (Product Startup)
- [203: Design for Manufacturing for a New Invention Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-11-24-203-design-for-manufacturing-for-a-new-invention-product) (Product Startup)
- [PCB Assembly and Design for Manufacturing with Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [An Interview with Chris Denney](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-10-15-an-interview-with-chris-denney) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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