Hardware that works beyond the prototype

I offer to participate as a sparring partner at concept development meetings to ensure that material / hardware technology choices are challenged and discussed.

• Technology selection and roadmap reviews
• Concept risks and trade-offs before committing to layout or tooling

Guidance in PCB and PCBA Design for:

• Manufacturing
• Assembly and Automation
• Reliability / Robustness
• Test
• Coating / Underfilling
• Lowest Total Cost

Are you struggling with space for the electronics but not really familiar with the numerous amazing options for miniaturisation using HDI PCB technologies with stacked and staggered MicroVias, then I can guide you to select the most feasible:

• Component technology
• Substrate technology
• Build-up structure
• Footprint design
• Design rules

Assess where a HDI module can simplify the main board and support reusable, known-good building blocks across product variants. In many applications a modular approach will enable:

• Faster time to market for new design variants
• Cheaper / simpler Main PCB technology
• Lower Total Cost
• Easier and higher yield Main PCB assembly by use of Known Good modules

An independent review of the printed circuit board (PCB) and assembly (PCBA), with practical options for Design for Excellence (DfX).

• Component placement, stack-up, materials and design rules
• Design for manufacturing (DfM), assembly (DfA), reliability (DfR) and test (DfT), including automation and test access

Compare electromechanical interconnects and package interfaces for a simpler assembly or a more robust connection.

• Connectors, soldered interconnects, flex and flexible printed circuits (FPC), and anisotropic conductive film (ACF)
• Mechanical, electrical, process and reliability trade-offs

Identify cost-reduction options in an existing product or the next generation, considering total lifetime cost alongside the bill of materials (BOM).

• Hardware architecture, packaging, materials and manufacturing technology
• Yield, process capability and supply-chain constraints; the effect of each change on manufacturing and field risk

I have experience from numerous Technical Capability Assessments in Europe and Asia and can therefore analyse your actual needs and support you in the process to select the best suited EMS and PCB manufacturer for your actual needs

• PCB fabrication, assembly, inspection, test and quality capability for the design and production volume
• Technical input to supplier selection, production transfer and process escalation

Plan validation around the product’s mission profile, or support root-cause analysis of a failure and prioritise corrective actions.

• Environmental test requirements for vibration, shock, condensation, liquid ingress and corrosion
• PCB and PCBA robustness, coating, underfill and interconnect reliability

Technical sessions tailored to your product, manufacturing technology and the team's knowledge level.

• Electronics manufacturing technologies and validation methods
• Design choices, coating and underfill, and common field-failure mechanisms