After you have set up your project account code and received the confirmation email, you can order a PCB. Staff may wish to set up a bespoke project code rather than using ICIS or ALTAS codes, as this makes it easier to link the purchase directly to a specific course or project.

Students requesting PCBs with assembly (where the supplier solders components onto the board) will require email authorisation due to the additional cost. You will need to attach this authorisation later in the ordering process, so please obtain it before proceeding if you intend to use the assembly service.

The supplier we use is JLCPCB. Please complete the PCB request form.  You will then receive an email, which you should reply to with a ZIP file containing your PCB design files (and the authorisation email, if applicable).

  If you would like to use a different supplier, such as Eurocircuits, please include the details in the notes section of the Form. Be aware that this will increase the turnaround time, as Stores will need to liaise with you to complete the order.

PCB Design Checklist Before Manuacture

1. Verify the Schematic

  • Check every component value and footprint assignment.
  • Ensure power and ground connections are correct.
  • Confirm connector pinouts against datasheets.
  • Check component polarity: Electrolytic capacitors/Diodes/LEDs/ICs/Batteries
  • Run ERC (Electrical Rules Check) and resolve warnings.

2. Confirm Component Availability

  • Verify all parts can actually be purchased.
  • Check: Manufacturer part numbers/Package types/Lead times/Alternatives for critical components
  • A perfect PCB is useless if a key IC has a 40-week lead time.

3. Review PCB Layout

Component Placement

  • Keep related circuitry together.
  • Place decoupling capacitors as close as possible to IC power pins.
  • Keep noisy circuits away from sensitive analog circuitry.
  • Ensure connectors are accessible.

Mechanical Fit

  • Check board dimensions.
  • Verify mounting holes.
  • Confirm clearances for: Enclosures/Heat sinks/Connectors/Tall components

Print the PCB at 1:1 scale and physically compare components if possible.

4. Check Design Rules

Run a DRC (Design Rule Check).

Verify:

  • Minimum track width
  • Minimum spacing
  • Via sizes
  • Annular rings
  • Copper-to-edge clearance
  • Use the manufacturer's recommended rules rather than generic defaults.

5. Power Routing

  • Use wider tracks for power.
  • Calculate expected current.
  • Ensure copper width is suitable.
  • Avoid bottlenecks where wide tracks suddenly become narrow.
  • Use solid ground planes wherever possible.
  • Always verify with a PCB trace width calculator.

6. Grounding Strategy

  • Use a continuous ground plane.
  • Avoid splitting ground unnecessarily.
  • Minimise return-current path lengths.
  • Ensure stitching vias connect ground pours between layers.
  • Poor grounding causes many EMC and noise problems.

7. High-Speed Signals

For USB, Ethernet, CAN, LVDS, RF and other fast signals:

  • Route differential pairs together.
  • Match pair lengths where required.
  • Follow impedance requirements.
  • Minimise vias.
  • Avoid sharp 90° corners.
  • Keep return paths continuous.

8. Thermal Considerations

Check components that dissipate power: Regulators/MOSFETs/LEDs/Power resistors

Consider:

  • Larger copper areas
  • Thermal vias
  • Heat sinks
  • Airflow paths

9. Manufacturing Review

Check for:

  • Silkscreen on pads
  • Hidden reference designators
  • Overlapping text
  • Solder mask slivers
  • Copper too close to board edge
  • Ensure pin 1 indicators are visible.

10. Assembly Review

Think like the assembly technician.

  • Are all component orientations obvious?
  • Can polarized components be fitted incorrectly?
  • Is there space around connectors?
  • Are test points accessible?

11. Generate and Inspect Manufacturing Files

Export:

  • Gerbers
  • Drill files
  • Pick-and-place file (if required)
  • BOM
  • Assembly drawings

Open the Gerbers in an independent viewer and inspect:

  • Every layer
  • Drill locations
  • Board outline
  • Copper pours
  • Silkscreen

Never assume exported files are correct without viewing them.

12. Include Test Features


Where practical add:

  • Power test points
  • Ground test points
  • Programming headers
  • Debug connectors
  • Critical signal test points

Future-you will be grateful.

13. Design for Reliability

  • Avoid running tracks between fine-pitch pads unless necessary.
  • Add mounting holes where needed.
  • Provide strain relief for cables.
  • Consider fuse protection and reverse polarity protection.
  • Ensure adequate creepage and clearance for high voltages.

 

Final Pre-Release Sign-Off


☐ ERC passed
☐ DRC passed
☐ Schematic review completed
☐ Footprints verified
☐ Component availability checked
☐ Mechanical fit confirmed
☐ Power tracks reviewed
☐ Ground plane reviewed
☐ Gerbers inspected
☐ BOM generated
☐ Assembly files generated
☐ Peer review completed

One of the best practices is to have another engineer review both the schematic and Gerbers before ordering. A fresh set of eyes often catches mistakes that the designer has become blind to.