MATRIX Array Level: 2

Easily verify if your design ready for PCB manufacturing and assembly. DFMCHECKER array is optional. It is used to perform DFM and DFA analysis.

Common Fields in the DFMCHECKER array
	Description
job=NAME	The name of the Job to perform DFM Check. Required. Dynamic Job References are also supported.
units=MIL\|MM	Units to use for this dfmchecker array. Must be either: MIL or MM. (Default: MIL)
maximumErrorsPerRule=NUM	The maximum number of Errors found per DFM Rule. After this number has been reached the DFM Checker will no longer search for that specific DFM Rule. This prevents unnecessary redundancy. (Default: 50)
maximumErrorsTotal=NUM	The maximum number of DFM Errors found. After this number has been reached the DFM Checker will end. This prevents unnecessary redundancy. (Default: 500)
tolerance=VALUE	DFM checks must also exceed this tolerance value to become a DFM error. This prevents false errors due to mathematical rounding. (Default: 4 microns)
searchbox=L,B,R,T	Optional. Creates an isolated area to perform DFM check. This can be helpful to pinpoint specific areas of a design for DFM checks. Left, Bottom, Right, Top must be comma separated. (default: 0,0,0,0 is used then entire extents). This is OPTIONAL.
layerfilter=LAYERS	Optional. Isolate layers to perform DFM check. This can be helpful to pinpoint specific features of a design for DFM checks. Must be comma separated. This is OPTIONAL.
componentfilter=REFDES	Optional. Isolate component area to perform DFM check. This can be helpful to pinpoint specific features of a design for DFM checks. Must be comma separated. This is OPTIONAL.
netFilter=NETS	Optional. Isolate nets to perform DFM check. This can be helpful to pinpoint specific features of a design for DFM checks. Must be comma separated. This is OPTIONAL.
ignoredcodes=DCODE_NUM	Optional. Omit any objects referencing the given dcodes. This can be helpful to remove non-critical features of a design for DFM checks (like Hatch patterns). Must be comma separated. This is OPTIONAL.
refname=NAME	Optional. Assign a reference name for this DFM Check. This can be helpful to indentify results for specific DFM checks. This is OPTIONAL.
DRF_FILE=FILE	Optional. Absolute or Relative path to an existing Design Rules file (.drf). All Design Rules will be used from that file. Note DRF_FILE values will be overwritten if any DFM rules are defined afterwards (must be same DFMCHECKER array). Example: DRF_FILE=FabShop23/8_Layer-HfDesign.drf Note Use PCB Preflight Free Viewer* to view, edit and manage Design Rules file (*.drf) 1. Start PCB Preflight Viewer. 2. Go to menu: Tools > DFM > DFM Rules Management... 3. View, edit and Save DFM Rules.
output_text_file=FILE	Generates a Text Report File after DFM Checker is complete. The file path may be either Absolute or Relative. (When possible always use relative paths) Example: output_text_file=Customer234/dfm_report-23433.txt
output_pdf_file=FILE	Generate a PDF Report File after DFM Checker is complete. The file path may be either Absolute or Relative. (When possible always use relative paths) Example: output_pdf_file=dfm_report.pdf
output_2581_file=FILE	Generate an IPC-2581 (with DFX) after DFM Checker is complete. This makes it easier to visually spot DFM errors when loaded over existing CAD design. The file path may be either Absolute or Relative. (When possible always use relative paths) +2 Additional MATRIX Array Level
output_gerber_file=FILE	Generate a Gerber File after DFM Checker is complete. This makes it easier to visually spot DFM errors when loaded over existing CAD design. The file path may be either Absolute or Relative. (When possible always use relative paths) +2 Additional MATRIX Array Level

These DFM Checks are the most commonly used and required.
BASIC CHECKS	Description
signal_minimum_pad_size=NUM	Minimum Pad size allowed. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 15 mil)
signal_minimum_smt_pad_width=NUM	Minimum SMT pad width allowed. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 7 mil)
signal_minimum_trace_width=NUM	Minimum trace width allowed. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_outer_layers=NUM	Minimum spacing on top or bottom layers. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_inner_layers=NUM	Minimum spacing for inner layers. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_track_track=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Track-Track. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_track_pad=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Track-Pad. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_pad_pad=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Pad-Pad. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_minimum_clearance_rout_copper=NUM	Minimum Clearance between NC Rout and metal. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
signal_hole_registration=NUM	Verify hole registration. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 1 mil)
signal_find_redundant_pads	Locate duplicate pads.
signal_find_unconnected_lines	Locate copper traces without pads.
signal_features_connection	Ensure copper geometries are connected.
signal_verify_text_features	Ensure text doesn't overlap or obstruct other geometries.
signal_invalid_polygons	Search for polygons that self-intersect.
signal_minimum_annular_ring_drill_pad=NUM	Minimum drill to pad annular ring. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
signal_clearance_from_board_edge=NUM	Minimum clearance from board edge. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 15 mil)
drill_minimum_drill_size=NUM	Minimum drill hole diameter. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
drill_find_double_hits	Find drill double hits.
drill_find_pads_without_drills	Find pads without drill.
drill_find_plated_drill_without_pads	Find plated drills without pad.
drill_find_touching_holes	Find drill holes that touch.
drill_minimum_clearance_plated_drills_copper=NUM	Minimum Clearance between Plated Drills and Copper. (Default: 10 mil)
drill_minimum_clearance_unplated_drills_copper=NUM	Minimum Clearance between Non-Plated Drills and Copper. (Default: 5 mil)
drill_minimum_clearance_drills_rout=NUM	Minimum Clearance between Drills and Rout paths. (Default: 5 mil)
drill_minimum_clearance_rout_rout=NUM	Minimum Clearance between Routs. (Default: 10 mil)
drill_minimum_drill_hole_spacing=NUM	Minimum Clearance between Drills. (Default: 5 mil)
silk_minimum_silkscreen_line_width=NUM	Find minimum silkscreen line width. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 7 mil)
silk_find_silkscreen_over_mask=NUM	Locate silkscreen over soldermask. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 4 mil)
silk_clearance_board_edge=NUM	Minimum clearance allowed from Silkscreen to board edge. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
silk_minimum_silkscreen_text_height=NUM	Find silkscreen text that is too small in height. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 50 mil)
silk_find_silkscreen_over_copper_text=NUM	Find silkscreen over copper text. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 4 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_silkscreen_copper=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen and metal. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 4 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_silkscreen_drill=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen and drill. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_silkscreen_rout=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen and NC Rout paths. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_lineline=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen (line to line). Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_linepad=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen (line to pad). Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
silk_minimum_clearance_padpad=NUM	Minimum Clearance between silkscreen (pad to pad). Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
mask_find_undersized_mask_clearances=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
mask_find_missing_mask_clearances	Find missing mask clearances.
mask_minimum_clearance_mask_copper=NUM	Minimum Clearance between mask and copper. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 4 mil)
mask_minimum_clearance_mask_rout=NUM	Minimum Clearance between mask and NC rout paths. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
mask_minimum_clearance_drawdraw=NUM	Minimum Clearance between mask objects (not flashes). Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
mask_minimum_clearance_drawpad=NUM	Minimum Clearance between mask objects and pads. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
mask_minimum_clearance_padpad=NUM	Minimum Clearance on mask layers between pads. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 8 mil)
plane_minimum_annular_ring=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 5 mil)
plane_minimum_clearance=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 7 mil)
plane_minimum_width=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 7 mil)
plane_minimum_drill_clearance=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 7 mil)
plane_minimum_rout_clearance=NUM	Locate small mask openings. Must be a positive number using units. (Default: 10 mil)
plane_find_drill_registration=NUM	Drill to Plane Registration. (Default: 1 mil)
paste_minimum_pad_width=NUM	Minimum Width: SMT Stencil Pad (Default: 7 mil)
paste_minimum_annular_ring_drill_pad=NUM	Minimum Annular Ring: Drill-SMT Stencil Pad (Default: 8 mil)
paste_minimum_clearance_pad_border=NUM	Minimum Clearance: SMT Pad to Board Edge (Default: 3.5 mil)
paste_minimum_clearance_pad_pad=NUM	Minimum Clearance: SMT Stencil (Pad to Pad) (Default: 3.5 mil)

These DFM Checks ensure your PCB is ready for manufacturing.
Manufacturing/Assembly Checks	Description
signal_find_nonfunctional_pads_inner_layers	Find non functional pads on internal layers.
drill_detect_drill_plane_shorts	Detect potential shorts between drill and plane layers.
mask_find_mask_slivers=NUM	Find mask slivers. Must be a positive number using units.
mask_detect_partial_clearances	Detect partial clearances in mask.
plane_minimum_thermal_airgap=NUM	Locate minimum thermal air gap. Must be a positive number using units.
plane_minimum_thermal_spoke_width=NUM	Locate minimum thermal spoke width. Must be a positive number using units.
paste_minimum_pad_aspect_ratio=NUM	Minimum Aspect Ratio: SMT Stencil Pad
paste_minimum_pad_area_ratio=NUM	Minimum Area Ratio: SMT Stencil Pad
paste_minimum_paste_volume=NUM	Minimum Volume: SMT Stencil Pad
paste_foil_thickness=NUM	Assign SMT Stencil Foil Thickness for other paste checks
paste_detect_paste_pad_registration=NUM	SMT Stencil Pad to Pad Registration
assembly_minimum_component_clearance=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Component
assembly_minimum_component_clearance_small=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Small Component
assembly_minimum_component_clearance_bga=NUM	Minimum Clearance: BGA Component
assembly_clearance_from_board_edge=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Component to Board Edge
assembly_maximum_component_height=NUM	Maximum Component Height
assembly_find_component_overlaps	Component Overlaps
assembly_detect_footprint_pad_registration	Footprint to Pad Registration.
assembly_find_invalid_component_refdes	Invalid RefDes. Requires BOM File Import.
assembly_find_invalid_component_rotation	Invalid Component Rotation. Requires BOM File Import.
assembly_detect_bom_compare	Component Part Number differs from BOM file. Requires BOM File Import.

These DFM Checks are powerful, and essential for multi-layer PCB's.
ADVANCED Checks	Description
signal_find_acid_traps=NUM	Locate Acid Traps. Must be a positive number using units. (May be time consuming)
signal_minimum_clearance_samenet=NUM	Minimum distance between objects on the same net. (May be time consuming)
signal_find_net_discrepancy	Find net discrepancies.
signal_find_antennas	Locate potential antennas. (May be time consuming)
signal_copper_slivers=NUM	Locate potential copper slivers. Must be a positive number using units. (May be time consuming)
mask_find_solder_bridges=NUM	Find solder bridges. Must be a positive number using units.
plane_find_starved_thermal=NUM	Locate starved thermals. Must be a positive number using units.
plane_find_powerground_short	Find power/ground shorts.
plane_find_negplane_thermal_conflicts	Find thermal conflicts on negative planes.
plane_find_isolated_connections	Find isolated connections.
testpoint_minimum_diameter=NUM	Minimum Test Point Diameter. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_minimum_center_to_center=NUM	Minimum Distance: Test Point Center to Center. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_clearance_from_board_edge=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Test Point to Board Edge. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_clearance_pad_to_pad=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Test Point Pad to Pad. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_clearance_mask=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Test Point to Mask. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_minimum_clearance_rout=NUM	Minimum Clearance: Test Point to Rout. Must be a positive number using units.
testpoint_find_nets_without_testpoint	Find Test Point without Net. Must be a positive number using units.

Note: For a detailed explaination of each DFM Check visit Why are Advanced DFM (Design for Manufacturability) Checks Necessary?

These DFM Checks ensure the electrical connectivity of your PCB's.
NETLIST COMPARISON	Description
skip_dfmcheck	Avoid running DFM Check. Useful when you wish to perform netlist check only. If not used, you can run both DFM Checks and Netlist Comparison simultaneously.
find_opennets	Find any Open Nets.
find_shortednets	Find any Shorts.
find_missingcopper	Find any missing metal areas when a test point is present.
find_missingnets	Find any metal areas without a net and a test point is present.
ipc_netlist_file=FILE	File path of an IPC 356/A Netlist file. The file path may be either Absolute or Relative.
x_netlist_offset	Offset the X location for all test points. Sometimes Netlist files are outputted from layout tools using a different coordinate system from the gerber and ODB++ files.
y_netlist_offset	Offset the Y location for all test points. Sometimes Netlist files are outputted from layout tools using a different coordinate system from the gerber and ODB++ files.
netlist_scale_factor	Scale all test points. Sometimes Netlist files are outputted from layout tools using a different scale from the gerber and ODB++ files.

Example DFMCHECKER Array:

DFMCHECKER {
    job=@active
    units=mil
    signal_minimum_pad_size=15.0
    signal_minimum_smt_pad_width=5.0
    signal_minimum_trace_width=4.0
    signal_minimum_clearance_outer_layers=9.0
    signal_minimum_clearance_inner_layers=6.0
    signal_minimum_annular_ring_drill_pad=4.0
    signal_clearance_from_board_edge=10.0
    signal_find_nonfunctional_pads_inner_layers
    drill_minimum_drill_size=7.0
    drill_find_double_hits
    drill_find_pads_without_drills
    drill_find_plated_drill_without_pads
    drill_find_touching_holes
    silk_minimum_silkscreen_line_width=4.0
    silk_find_silkscreen_over_mask=1.0
    silk_clearance_board_edge=10.0
    mask_find_undersized_mask_clearances=4.0
    mask_find_missing_mask_clearances
    mask_find_mask_slivers
    mask_find_solder_bridges=8.0
    plane_minimum_annular_ring=4.0
    output_text_file=Customer234/dfm_report-23433.txt
}

Example DFMCHECKER Array to just perform Netlist Comparison:

DFMCHECKER {
    job=@active
    units=mm
    skip_dfmcheck
    ipc_netlist_file=customer23/mySampleNetlist.ipc
    find_opennets
    find_shortednets
    output_pdf_file=customer23/mySampleNetlist_comparison_report.pdf
}

XML example:

<DFMCHECKER>
    <job>@active</job>
    <units>mm</units>
    <skip_dfmcheck/>
    <ipc_netlist_file>customer23/mySampleNetlist.ipc</ipc_netlist_file>
    <find_opennets/>
    <find_shortednets/>
    <output_pdf_file>customer23/mySampleNetlist_comparison_report.pdf</output_pdf_file>
</DFMCHECKER>

JSON example:

"DFMCHECKER": {
  "job": "@active",
  "units": "mm",
  "skip_dfmcheck": "",
  "ipc_netlist_file": "customer23/mySampleNetlist.ipc",
  "find_opennets": "",
  "find_shortednets": "",
  "output_pdf_file": "customer23/mySampleNetlist_comparison_report.pdf"
}

Example DFMCHECKER Array performing both DFM Checks and Netlist Comparison simultaneously:

Note: This DFMCHECKER Array also generates a gerber file containing any potential error markers. Making it easier to visually spot DFM errors when imported back into the PCB Layout software.

DFMCHECKER {
    job=@active
    units=mil
    signal_minimum_pad_size=15.0
    signal_minimum_smt_pad_width=5.0
    signal_minimum_trace_width=4.0
    signal_minimum_clearance_outer_layers=9.0
    signal_minimum_clearance_inner_layers=6.0
    signal_minimum_annular_ring_drill_pad=4.0
    signal_clearance_from_board_edge=10.0
    signal_find_nonfunctional_pads_inner_layers
    drill_minimum_drill_size=7.0
    drill_find_double_hits
    drill_find_pads_without_drills
    drill_find_plated_drill_without_pads
    drill_find_touching_holes
    silk_minimum_silkscreen_line_width=4.0
    silk_find_silkscreen_over_mask=1.0
    silk_clearance_board_edge=10.0
    mask_find_undersized_mask_clearances=4.0
    mask_find_missing_mask_clearances
    mask_find_mask_slivers
    mask_find_solder_bridges=8.0
    plane_minimum_annular_ring=4.0
    ipc_netlist_file=customer23/mySampleNetlist.ipc
    find_opennets
    find_shortednets
    output_text_file=Customer234/dfm_report-23433.txt
    output_gerber_file=Customer234/dfm_report_errors-23433.gbr
}