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If anyone else is wondering what is a "DRC problem": Design Rule Checking (DRC) is a process used to identify errors and mismatches such as spacing & trace wid

• Alupis 4y ago
  To elaborate, you specify design rules for your PCB design and layout based off what your chosen fabrication company's abilities are. Each company's fab process is slightly different and will have varying requirements or specifications you must meet in order to have a successfully produced board. Things like minimum/maximum trace widths, minimum/maximum via size, via types (buried, blind, tented, etc), pad size, solder mask tolerances, component separation distances, etc. This often means you need to choose a fab before you design your board... and changing to a different fab later on might mean you have to redesign part/all of your board (particularly if you are pushing tolerances). Each fab has different abilities and requirements.
  • exmadscientist 4y ago
    You shouldn't really target a particular fab, you should target a sort of "class" averaged from the capabilities of multiple fabricators. Services that shop your order around basically do this for you, if they bother to quote standard rules at all. This will save you from redesign work, though realistically it's saving you from vendor lock-in and price gouging. Sierra can manufacture pretty much anything... but who can afford them?
  • SV_BubbleTime 4y ago
    As long as people are putting their wish lists out… I want a standard DRC format that I can get from a mfg and drop into my program.
    • Gracana 4y ago
      That is one of the goals of the new KiCAD DRC system. I really hope it pans out, because it's a great idea and ought to reduce friction for designers.