Mobile menu
PCB Design
Resources PCB Design Keep Learning, Tackling 3D and Making and Hacking! OnTrack Newsletter September 2017

Keep Learning, Tackling 3D and Making and Hacking! OnTrack Newsletter September 2017

Judy Warner
|  Created: September 21, 2017  |  Updated: November 30, 2020
 
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin  Youtube
 
On Track Newsletter
 
On Track Newsletter
September 2017 VOL. 1 No 6
 

Welcome to the September edition of Altium’s On Track Newsletter. This month PCB designer extraordinaire, Susy Webb, shares her tireless passion and continual pursuit of excellence in Design Like a Girl. In the On Track video series, John Magyar illustrates why 3D is a truly powerful tool and not just a gimmick for designers. Lastly, we take a peek inside the wild and wonderful world of makers and hardware hackers in the Maker section, and tell you about key events coming up for this community of innovators.

Our goal is to continually bring you resources that will help you succeed as an engineer and designer. One tool we have launched in recent months is the EDA Pulse App, which is an aggregator of news from all of the major trade news sources such as EDN, EE Times, PCB Design Magazine, the Altium® Blog, and even blogs from our competitors such as Mentor, Zuken™ and Autodesk. You can download it through Google Play and also the Apple App Store.

Make sure to get registered for the upcoming AltiumLive 2017: ANNUAL PCB DESIGN SUMMIT. Space is very limited and nearly full. You can view the keynote speakers, agenda and Professional Development Courses for Munich HERE, and for San Diego HERE.

Missed last month's newsletter? Check out past and present newsletters online here.

Your feedback for On Track is always welcome at judy.warner@altium.com.

Enjoy and always stay On Track!

Director of Community Engagement
 
 
Spotlight
 
Highlighting Exceptional Women PCB Designers
 
Over 35 years ago, a very bright woman named Susy Webb was looking for a new challenge and avenue to apply her commercial art skills. Lucky for the industry, as well as current employer Fairfield Nodal, this put her on the path to become a very skilled high-speed PCB designer. When she’s not designing oil exploration and monitoring equipment, she’s often found teaching other designers in North American conferences, or for global companies. I’m certain you’ll enjoy her story and what she believes is important for PCB designers from around the world to know and practice to be their best in today’s marketplace.
 
 
Maker Space
 
 
 
Featured Blog/Video
 
3D: Gimmick or Feature?
 
3D capability in your CAD tool has many benefits for your PCB design and helps you collaborate successfully with your mechanical team. However, some still think 3D is just a gimmick. Senior AE, John Magyar explains the tangible benefits of 3D and how it helps designers save time and create successful products.
 
 
Brain Food
 
 
 
Altium Designer - PCB Design Software Altium 365 - PCB Design Platform Enterprise PCB Design Solutions FREE Trials

About Author

About Author

Judy Warner has held a unique variety of roles in the electronics industry for over 25 years. She has a background in PCB Manufacturing, RF and Microwave PCBs and Contract Manufacturing, focusing on Mil/Aero applications. 

She has also been a writer, blogger, and journalist for several industry publications such as Microwave Journal, PCB007 Magazine, PCB Design007, PCD&F, and IEEE Microwave Magazine, and an active board member for PCEA (Printed Circuit Engineering Association). In 2017, Warner joined Altium as the Director of Community Engagement. In addition to hosting the OnTrack Podcast and creating the OnTrack Newsletter, she launched Altium's annual user conference, AltiumLive. Warner's passion is to provide resources, support, and advocate for PCB Design Engineers worldwide.

More content by Judy Warner

Related Resources

What is PCB Design? What is a PCB and Intro to PCB Design Printed circuit board (PCB) design has grown into its own specialized field within the electronics industry. PCBs play an important role in that they provide electrical interconnections between electronic components, rigid support to hold components, and a compact package that can be integrated into an end product. They are the main component in an electronic device that is responsible for form and function, and they allow advanced semiconductors Read Article
What is Lenz's Law What is Lenz's Law and How Does it Affect PCB Design? Lenz's law is one of the fundamental physical laws that describes the multitude of relationships between electricity and magnetism. Together with Ampere's law, Gauss law, Faraday's law, Coulomb's law, and the Lorentz force law, we have everything we need to understand the classical behavior of the electromagnetic field. Among these laws, Lenz's law and Faraday's law work together to describe how the magnetic field in your PCB is related to the Read Article
What is a balun What is a Balun in RF PCB and Do You Need One? Are you wondering what a balun is? Find out more and see where one fits into your RF PCB layout. Read Article
pcb testing PCB Testing 101: Important Methods and Metrics PCB testing must occur during fabrication, assembly, and board bring-up. Here’s how you can plan to be successful during testing and inspection. Read Article
Continuous conduction mode Continuous Conduction Mode in an SMPS: What is it and Why it Matters Learn more about continuous conduction mode and how to design to this condition in your power supply. The best design and simulation tools can help you verify continuous conduction mode is reached. Read Article
Solder Bridge Jumper Best Practices in PCB Design What Is a Solder Bridge? Best Practices in PCB Design A PCB variant is often simply thought of as a new layout created from an old design. However, if you’re creative with your routing and layout, you can use a solder bridge jumper to configure portions of a single PCB layout for multiple variants. This lets you quickly create variants of a PCB layout without rerouting traces or changing your schematics. If you plan to use jumpers in your PCB layout, there are some important guidelines to follow to Read Article
Everything You Need to Know About Oscillators What Is An Oscillator? Everything You Need to Know What is an oscillator? Mark Harris gives an in depth overview of the major categories of Oscillators. He explains the different types with their functions and drawbacks. Read more here. Read Article
ESD protection and PCB design What is ESD and How Does it Affect My PCB Design? We've compiled a complete guide to ESD protection for PCBs and your electronics. Implement these guidelines for enclosure-level ESD protection and to prevent ESD on important digital interfaces. Read Article
2:20 What is Skew? Watch Video
4:41 What is Spread Glass? Watch Video
Back to Home
Altium Designer Logo

Take advantage of the world's
most trusted PCB design system.

One interface. One data
model. Endless possibilities.

Effortlessly collaborate with
mechanical designers.

The world's most trusted
PCB design platform

Best in class interactive
routing

View License Options
Try Altium Designer
Which best describes you?
Step 1 of 2
Try Altium Designer
Which best describes you?
I’m a Professional
I’m a Student University Email Required
I’m a Startup
Thank you, you are now subscribed to updates.