PCB Tips

PCB Design Rules and Tips

General Principles

• Find out about trace spacing, trace widths, milling, and other limitations of your PCB process before laying out boards.
• Use the most relaxed specifications you can. If your board can be made with 12mil traces and spacing, don't use 6mil.
• Watch out for mirror-imaged layers, especially the bottom.

Fabrication Techniques

• Send it out - this is often your best option, as you will get professional results.
  • Costs time and money
• Photo-resist method
• Toner transfer
• Inkjet printing

Sparkfun's PCB Design Tips

• Better Boards in Eagle CAD
• Sparkfun Eagle Rules

Nullspace Labs Eagle CAD Information

• On-line Eagler CAD Tutorials
• Check list prior to submitting a PCB to a board house