5 Tips to become a Professional PCB designer | Vaibhav Sugandhi

Summary

In this video, passionate PCB designer and tech startup founder, Bible Savindi, shares five essential tips for aspiring PCB designers in the electronics industry. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding PCB design fundamentals, practicing with real-time projects, adhering to industrial standards like IPC and IEEE, gaining practical experience through internships at startups, and learning from expert tutorials. Savindi also introduces a beginner's course for PCB design, available for free, to help newcomers grasp the basics and kickstart their careers.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Understand the fundamentals of PCB designing, as it's crucial for building a strong foundation in the field.
• 🛠️ Practice with real-time projects to gain hands-on experience and apply the learned fundamentals.
• 🏭 Familiarize yourself with industrial design standards such as IPC, IEEE, and IEC to ensure your designs meet industry requirements.
• 💼 Work as an intern at a startup to gain practical experience and bridge the gap between education and industry.
• 👨‍🏫 Watch expert tutorials and learn from experienced PCB designers to acquire advanced skills and techniques.
• 🔗 Networking and communication are key in the industry, so learn how to collaborate effectively in a team.
• 📚 Engage in continuous learning to stay updated with the latest tools and technologies in PCB design.
• 💡 Be open to experimentation and innovation, as they are integral to advancing in the field of PCB design.
• 🎓 Consider taking courses or certifications to enhance your knowledge and credibility as a PCB designer.
• 🌟 Seek mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals to navigate the complexities of the industry.

Q & A

What is the first step to becoming a PCB designer according to the video?

The first step is to deeply understand the fundamentals of PCB designing, which includes understanding terms like tracks, clearance, footprint, schematic symbol, and their roles in PCB designing.

Why is practicing with real-time projects important for a PCB designer?

Practicing with real-time projects helps a PCB designer apply their fundamentals in reality, understand the role of tracks in PCB designing, and learn about industrial standards and methodologies used in the industry.

What are the industrial design standards that a PCB designer should be familiar with?

A PCB designer should be familiar with standards such as IPC (International Printed Circuit), IEEE, and IEC standards, which dictate how components are placed on PCBs, track creation, track width maintenance, and overall circuit design according to product application requirements.

How can working with a startup company benefit a beginner PCB designer?

Working with a startup as an intern exposes a beginner to real-time product development cycles, allowing them to design PCBs according to IPC and company standards, and gain practical experience under expert guidance.

What does the speaker recommend for learning from experts in PCB designing?

The speaker recommends watching expert design tutorials, specifically mentioning YouTube channels like Altium Designer, Carl Bujjija, and Grid Squad, to learn from their use of EDA tools and techniques in designing PCBs for various applications.

What is the role of documentation in PCB designing according to the video?

Documentation plays a crucial role in PCB designing as it helps maintain design records, facilitates communication between team members, and is essential for project management and reporting work progress within a company.

Why is understanding industrial project management standards important for a PCB designer?

Understanding industrial project management standards is important for a PCB designer to work effectively in a team, communicate designs, and maintain industry-level documentation, which is vital for large-scale industry operations.

What is the significance of DRC and ERC checks in PCB designing?

DRC (Design Rule Check) and ERC (Electrical Rule Check) are significant in PCB designing as they help identify and rectify errors in the design process, ensuring the PCB meets the required standards and specifications.

What is the advice for someone who is new to PCB designing and finding it difficult to understand expert terminologies?

For beginners who find it challenging to understand expert terminologies, the speaker suggests starting with an absolute beginner course for PCB designing, which covers the fundamentals and basic terminologies in detail.

How can one access the beginner course for PCB designing mentioned in the video?

The beginner course for PCB designing can be accessed for free and is open source. Interested individuals can find the link in the video description or click on the 'I' button on the video to join the course.

What is the importance of understanding the fundamentals of PCB designing before starting a career?

Understanding the fundamentals of PCB designing is essential as it provides a solid foundation, introduces the real world of PCB designing, and helps one decide whether to pursue a career in this field or not.