Hardware Podcasts

Solving PCB Library Issues: Expert Advice from Elizabeth Bustamante

OnTrack · 19 Apr 2025 · 50m · Episode 293

What this episode covers

Elizabeth Bustamante, a CAD technical consultant at Altium, explains that inconsistent PCB libraries lead to costly manufacturing errors and project delays due to a lack of unified standards for footprints and land patterns. She highlights that while tools like Altium Designer’s Footprint Wizard offer transparency, many third-party libraries lack traceability regarding input parameters like fabrication tolerances, causing significant variance in pad sizes and courtyard definitions. Bustamante advises teams to rigorously verify third-party sources against internal checklists and standardize adjustments to ensure consistency, noting that failing to do so can result in failed prototypes and wasted budget.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Altium
Tools
Eagle, Altium Designer
Also
IPC 7351B

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