What does DRC still fail to catch in real-world PCB design?
I’m researching how PCB designers actually review boards before sending them to manufacturing, and I’d love to hear from engineers with real-world experience.
I’m not selling anything—I’m trying to understand where today’s workflow still falls short.
A few questions:
- What’s the last PCB issue that made it through DRC but was later caught by a senior engineer, during design review, or after the first prototype?
- What’s the most expensive or frustrating PCB mistake you’ve personally experienced?
- If you could automate one part of the PCB design review process, what would it be?
- Do you feel current DRC tools are enough, or are there things they simply can’t catch?
- Before releasing a board to manufacturing, what gives you the most confidence that it’s actually ready?
I’d really appreciate detailed answers rather than simple yes/no responses. Real examples are especially valuable.
Thanks in advance!
Posted Jul 5, 2026, 12:34 PM UTC
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