Hi Dewayne,

You'll need to learn to use Protel first - make sure your boss gives you enough
time to do that.

Then you need to know how to design boards, a quite separate issue.

One of the best things you can do is get a hold of two IPC standards 2221 and
2222 and study them closely - in these you'll find 95% of the hard facts you
need.

A close second best is to get involved with other designers, best done locally
through your Designers Council Chapter. Find a knowledgeable designer who is
willing to hold your hand  :-) for those first tentative steps.

While doing all of this, look at existing designs and see how others have done
what was needed. Then practice, practice and more practice.

Andy Kowalewski            Voice:   Business hours   (972) 550 6365
Senior PCB Designer
NEC America, Inc.           Fax:     Office                 (972) 518 4715
1525 West Walnut Hill Lane
Irving. Texas. 75038              Email:   [log in to unmask]



____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject:    [TN] Training
Author: Dewayne Lawson <[log in to unmask]>
Date:       8/25/99 2:04 PM

I hope this is a valid question for this particular forum.

Recently I have been transferred to the Engineering Department at the
company I have been employed with for over eight years. This is a promotion
for me.

I have an A.S. degree in electronics and started out as a calibration/repair
technician, moved up to Technician supervisor/trainer. I worked in the
manufacturing side for most of my eight years here.

I have been given the challenge to learn PCB layout. I was wondering if
anyone could provide me with some ideas on how to get started. I have
AutoCAD and ORCAD experience, however, I  have never performed any PCB
design. My company is currently using Protel for the PCB layout software.
(our former designer relocated, so I do not have the luxury of an
experienced person in-house).

I appreciate any advice you may provide. My boss signed me up with IPC
immediately, so I figure that's a good start.

Dewayne E. Lawson
American Magnetics, Inc.
Oak Ridge, TN    USA
423-482-1056 (Ext. 30)
[log in to unmask]

##############################################################
TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
##############################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text
in
the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TECHNET
##############################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional
information.
If you need assistance - contact Gayatri Sardeshpande at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.5365
##############################################################

##############################################################
TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
##############################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TECHNET
##############################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional
information.
If you need assistance - contact Gayatri Sardeshpande at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.5365
##############################################################