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Greetings everyone,
A couple of months ago, I worked on my first 4 layer PCB layout project that includes driving stepper motors, sensing temperatures, and heating elements through high current MOSFETS. I looked for some reference designs and found that some did it using 2 layers only. Personally I did not like that because when I looked into the design, I found that high current is passing through narrow traces rather than polygons which is the most recommended way in my opinion because the current can reach a maximum value of 15A. Using a dedicated layer for ground(s) and another for supply voltages seemed as a more robust and secure way. Thermally way better too.
After doing the whole layout, I generated the Gerber files and started contacting manufacturers. I noticed that a set of 5 PCBs will cost somewhere between 100$ and 150$ . So I thought to myself maybe I can reduce the cost further but what can I do to do that? I made sure to use the minimum vias as possible. I used 0.3mm holes for vias and kept my distance from special requirements. (Can I increase the drill size without increasing the cost? ) In the end when I reviewed my design more critically, I guess I used a lot of vias especially in the power section of the board in order to securely conduct high current from layer 1 to layer 2 or 3 . sometimes I use multiple vias to conduct current to internal planes and most of the time I use them for signals as well when I cannot find a solution for routing.
Can you help me figure out how to reduce the cost or suggest a better approach maybe ? Thank you.
A couple of months ago, I worked on my first 4 layer PCB layout project that includes driving stepper motors, sensing temperatures, and heating elements through high current MOSFETS. I looked for some reference designs and found that some did it using 2 layers only. Personally I did not like that because when I looked into the design, I found that high current is passing through narrow traces rather than polygons which is the most recommended way in my opinion because the current can reach a maximum value of 15A. Using a dedicated layer for ground(s) and another for supply voltages seemed as a more robust and secure way. Thermally way better too.
After doing the whole layout, I generated the Gerber files and started contacting manufacturers. I noticed that a set of 5 PCBs will cost somewhere between 100$ and 150$ . So I thought to myself maybe I can reduce the cost further but what can I do to do that? I made sure to use the minimum vias as possible. I used 0.3mm holes for vias and kept my distance from special requirements. (Can I increase the drill size without increasing the cost? ) In the end when I reviewed my design more critically, I guess I used a lot of vias especially in the power section of the board in order to securely conduct high current from layer 1 to layer 2 or 3 . sometimes I use multiple vias to conduct current to internal planes and most of the time I use them for signals as well when I cannot find a solution for routing.
Can you help me figure out how to reduce the cost or suggest a better approach maybe ? Thank you.
DRC too until I encountered the constraint of solder bridges in JLCPCB. They do not support that when I checked. And I GUESS they should be done between my 8-bit atmega AVR pads for soldering right? Should I go to another manufacturer? Anyone comparable to JLC in mind? Thank you again.
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