# PCB Assembly and Design for Manufacturing with Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-03-03
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit

## Summary

Duane Benson, Director of Marketing at Screaming Circuits, explains the PCB assembly process, contrasting their prototype/small-volume model with parent company Milwaukee Electronics' high-volume contract manufacturing. He details the workflow from programming and solder paste deposition to reflow, inspection, and rework, while highlighting common Design for Manufacturing (DFM) pitfalls like open vias and incorrect QFN footprints. The discussion covers the infeasibility of home PCB prototyping, the cost-benefits of US-based assembly, and critical tips for ensuring component availability and accurate footprints.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=0) Introduction: Duane Benson and Screaming Circuits
- [3:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=183) Screaming Circuits vs. Milwaukee Electronics Business Models
- [11:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=676) US vs. China Manufacturing: Cost and Quality Trade-offs
- [15:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=926) The Infeasibility of At-Home PCB Prototyping
- [19:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=1185) The PCB Assembly Process: Programming to Reflow
- [33:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=2003) DFM Tip 1: Open Vias and BGA Pad Planning
- [37:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=2277) DFM Tip 2: QFN/DFN Solder Paste Segmentation
- [43:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=2609) DFM Tip 3: Verifying Component Footprints and Pitch
- [49:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=2952) DFM Tip 4: LED Polarity and Silk Screen Clarity
- [53:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit#t=3232) DFM Tip 5: Supply Chain Substitutions and Communication

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Screaming Circuits (company)
- Milwaukee Electronics (company)
- Sunstone Circuits (company)
- MyData (tool)
- Digiki (other)
- Mauser (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [PCB Assembly Mistakes Designers Keep Making: PCB West 2026 Preview](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview) (OnTrack)
- [Chris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 8 | From Prototype to Market: Design for Manufacturability with Untapped Engineering Resources](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee) (Moore's Lobby)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-02-11-the-spark-gap-episode-26) (The Spark Gap)
- [I've bitten myself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-05-21-ive-bitten-myself) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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