EQ communication before starting a PCB project

EQ Summary means collecting and organizing the problems encountered in the engineering process and suggestions for improvement. Solving these problems and taking appropriate measures can improve the quality and efficiency of PCB products.

Why we do the EQ process?

Engineering questions are the number one complaint most PCB buyers have about board manufacturers.They may ask“Why can’t you build the boards without all these questions?” “We sent you the working files!”Honestly, no pcb factory wants to ask questions which may upset customers, but sometimes, the designer may overlook some minor issues, such as silkscreen on pads, even short circuit, so it is essential and necessary to perform the DFM process to help customers to avoid the overlooked issues before production.Besides, it can protect the interest of both the manufacturer and customers.  So it is worth taking time for customers to check and answer all the engineer questions carefully. 

EQ Classification 

Customer design

The original data provided by the customer itself has defects and abnormalities, some of the data processing is easier to be found, but the defects related to the function of network connectivity, it is difficult to be checked out.
For example: the normal alignment of the line appears circuit short
The process requirement specification does not match with the gerber design.
Drilling file actual hole diameter, number of holes, hole attributes with the hole diagram labeling inconsistency
Etched fonts and silkscreen layer characters overlap
Engineering optimization
In order to optimize production costs, shorten the production cycle, improve efficiency, improve product quality, engineering will be in accordance with the factory's production capacity and process technology, recommended to modify or adjust the customer's original design information.
For example: Cancel double-sided characters and change to single-sided characters.
Adding positioning pins to board.
Cancel the green solder bridge for IC pads and replace it with a pass-through opening.

Change the plug hole to soldermask covered or opening.

How long normally it takes for the engineers to check the design?

For simple boards, all the issue can be fixed within one day after the order placed, from our engineer checking to sales team feedback to you.

For some boards with its difficulty or special requirements as some impedance control which our engineer need analysis/calculate the data, boards design which has blind/buried vias/limited design to reach our production capability, which may takes 1-2 days to fix. Although the time used, it can reduce errors from many aspect. And a PCBA order, it won’t have any influence on the whole lead time.

The most important thing is that we work together to make it better, and reduce the lose on time and expense.