Explore the importance of Design Rule Checking (DRC) in PCB design and how Autodesk Fusion enhances the process.

When designing a product, it’s necessary to ensure that the design has no flaws before sending it to manufacturing. Whether you’re verifying that a component is manufacturable, or optimizing a design for the highest quality in manufacturability, design rule checks are a pivotal part of product design. In the realm of PCB fabrication, there are especially notable limitations to be aware of and check before moving on to the next stage of development. Let’s learn more about design rule checking (DRC) and explore how Autodesk Fusion can help facilitate the DRC process.

Understanding DRC

At its core, DRC primarily focuses on validating a PCB design against predefined criteria and standards. These criteria often pertain to the capabilities and limitations of manufacturing processes, materials, and the intended functionality of the product. For example, in electronics design, DRC includes checking aspects like spacing between circuit elements, trace width, and hole sizes to ensure they are within the limits that can be reliably manufactured.

The purpose of DRC is to identify potential manufacturing issues early in the PCB design process—thereby reducing costly reworks and delays. While DRC generally refers to PCB design, product design can also encounter some common design rule checks. These include: 

• Dimensional accuracy: This involves ensuring that all dimensions of a design are accurate and within the tolerable limits for manufacturing. In the aerospace industry, for instance, the dimensional accuracy of components like turbine blades is crucial, as even minor deviations can lead to performance issues or safety hazards.
  
• Material compatibility: DRC also checks for the compatibility of selected materials with the intended manufacturing processes and product usage. For example, in the automotive industry, selecting the appropriate material for engine components is critical for withstanding high temperatures and pressures.

• Tolerance analysis: Tolerances indicate the allowable variations in dimensions. In precision engineering, such as in the manufacture of medical devices, tight tolerances are essential to ensure the functionality and reliability of products like surgical instruments.
  
• Electrical rules for PCB design: In electronics manufacturing, DRC includes checking the spacing between circuit elements, trace width, and hole sizes in PCB design. In high-speed electronics, precise electrical rules must be adhered to for the system to function correctly.

Autodesk Fusion and DRC

A Design Rule Check allows you to establish a set of boundaries for trace widths, component spacing, via diameters, etc. Autodesk Fusion offers comprehensive support for all of these areas and, during a DRC, will flag any concerns.

Fusion’s built-in rule checkers play a pivotal role in comparing design elements against sets of constraints. This feature aids designers in making decisions that are both cost-effective and manufacturable, ensuring that the final product can be produced efficiently and meet market demands.

Learn how to run a DRC in Autodesk Fusion here.

Ensuring top product quality

By ensuring that designs adhere to the manufacturer’s capabilities, DRC helps designers create better-quality products with higher yields and a lower chance of failure. With a slew of advanced features to assist the DRC process, Autodesk Fusion is a leading tool for all product design needs. As products continue to become more advanced and complex, DRC features, like those in Fusion, will be necessary for maintaining product quality and reliability.