# 💡 Deep dives **URL:** https://community.aisler.net/c/best-practices/deep-dives/117.md [Latest](https://community.aisler.net/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.aisler.net/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.aisler.net/tags.md) --- ## [About the 💡 Deep dives category](https://community.aisler.net/t/about-the-deep-dives-category/5027)
**Author:** [@Sarah-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Sarah-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/about-the-deep-dives-category/5027 "2025-04-17T17:43:28Z")
Tldr; The Deep Dives category is our home for in-depth, educational guides on hardware design. This is where you unpack a topic properly, share how to think about it, and give others tools they can use across many projec… --- ## [Guide to a Beautiful Board Outline](https://community.aisler.net/t/guide-to-a-beautiful-board-outline/40)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 9:08am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/guide-to-a-beautiful-board-outline/40 "2021-12-17T09:08:43Z")
The board outline is an essential part of your project, enclosing all your work, ingenuity, and time. Unfortunately, we often observe that the board outline does not receive the attention and care it deserves. In almost… --- ## [Stop comparator chatter by designing two switching thresholds](https://community.aisler.net/t/stop-comparator-chatter-by-designing-two-switching-thresholds/6057)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/stop-comparator-chatter-by-designing-two-switching-thresholds/6057 "2026-10-09T13:51:28Z")
A slowly changing sensor signal can cross the same comparator threshold several times because of noise. The output then produces several transitions where the application expected one. This is especially noticeable when … --- ## [A TVS diode's working voltage is not its clamping voltage](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-tvs-diodes-working-voltage-is-not-its-clamping-voltage/6056)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-tvs-diodes-working-voltage-is-not-its-clamping-voltage/6056 "2026-10-09T13:35:12Z")
Adding a transient-voltage-suppression diode to a connector is a common protection measure. A less obvious step is checking whether the voltage that remains during a transient is acceptable for the circuit behind it. Th… --- ## [A voltage divider is only the beginning: designing reliable ADC inputs](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-voltage-divider-is-only-the-beginning-designing-reliable-adc-inputs/6054)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-voltage-divider-is-only-the-beginning-designing-reliable-adc-inputs/6054 "2026-10-09T13:18:48Z")
A sensor input can look correct in the schematic and still produce misleading measurements. Scaling the voltage into the ADC range is only one part of the design. The input also needs suitable bandwidth, acquisition time… --- ## [Sizing Your PCB Ground Plane for SMD Chip Antennas](https://community.aisler.net/t/sizing-your-pcb-ground-plane-for-smd-chip-antennas/5774)
**Author:** [@Florian2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Florian2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/sizing-your-pcb-ground-plane-for-smd-chip-antennas/5774 "2026-08-19T12:28:43Z")
This guide is for anyone using an SMD chip antenna for the first time and wondering why board layout affects RF performance just as much as the antenna choice itself. Introduction You picked a good SMD chip antenna, ch… --- ## [Managing a shared component library when working in a team](https://community.aisler.net/t/managing-a-shared-component-library-when-working-in-a-team/5731)
**Author:** [@Matthias2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Matthias2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 8:01am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/managing-a-shared-component-library-when-working-in-a-team/5731 "2026-07-27T08:01:37Z")
Having a shared component library can save time, reduce mistakes and make designs more consistent. Without proper management, however, it can create its own set of problems that may not be obvious at first. As a Formula… --- ## [Firmware updates via infrared in sealed 3D-printed enclosures](https://community.aisler.net/t/firmware-updates-via-infrared-in-sealed-3d-printed-enclosures/5543)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/firmware-updates-via-infrared-in-sealed-3d-printed-enclosures/5543 "2026-03-02T15:30:49Z")
Things we wish we had known earlier Sealed 3D-printed enclosures have something deeply satisfying about them. No screws, no connectors, no openings that invite dust or moisture. The device is closed, finished, done. An… --- ## [Tolerance management between PCB and 3D printing](https://community.aisler.net/t/tolerance-management-between-pcb-and-3d-printing/5540)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2026, 8:23am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/tolerance-management-between-pcb-and-3d-printing/5540 "2026-02-27T08:23:22Z")
Designing electronics that combine a PCB with a 3D-printed enclosure often looks trivial in CAD. Everything lines up, the board fits perfectly, and connectors sit exactly where they should. In reality, this is rarely the… --- ## [Co-Design of PCB Antennas and 3D-Printed Enclosures / Practical RF Insights](https://community.aisler.net/t/co-design-of-pcb-antennas-and-3d-printed-enclosures-practical-rf-insights/5518)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/co-design-of-pcb-antennas-and-3d-printed-enclosures-practical-rf-insights/5518 "2026-02-03T08:31:58Z")
RF Signals Through 3D-Printed Enclosures – Practical Design Insights for PCB Designers Keywords: RF design, PCB antenna, 3D-printed enclosure, PETG, ABS, dielectric loading, enclosure coupling, antenna detuning Start h… --- ## [Bulk capacitors are more about placement than value](https://community.aisler.net/t/bulk-capacitors-are-more-about-placement-than-value/5510)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/bulk-capacitors-are-more-about-placement-than-value/5510 "2026-01-29T08:16:22Z")
(especially with WS2812 / NeoPixel LEDs) If you’ve ever seen WS2812 (NeoPixel) LEDs flicker, shift colors or behave strangely at higher brightness, chances are the problem was not software and not the capacitor value. I… --- ## [Backlit RGB lightboxes with WS2812B](https://community.aisler.net/t/backlit-rgb-lightboxes-with-ws2812b/5508)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/backlit-rgb-lightboxes-with-ws2812b/5508 "2026-01-28T04:35:38Z")
Why a PCB beats LED strips (and how to add Wi-Fi control in minutes) When building a 3D-printed lightbox, most people start with an LED strip. It works, but once you want controllable RGB, clean optics and reproducible … --- ## [Powering fully sealed 3D-printed electronics](https://community.aisler.net/t/powering-fully-sealed-3d-printed-electronics/5507)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/powering-fully-sealed-3d-printed-electronics/5507 "2026-01-27T19:30:12Z")
Fully sealing electronics has obvious advantages: protection against water and dust, electrical safety, mechanical robustness. With modern 3D printing, this can be achieved by embedding a PCB directly into the printed p… --- ## [Invisible capacitive touch button inside a 3D-printed enclosure](https://community.aisler.net/t/invisible-capacitive-touch-button-inside-a-3d-printed-enclosure/5506)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/invisible-capacitive-touch-button-inside-a-3d-printed-enclosure/5506 "2026-01-27T16:49:18Z")
I integrated a capacitive touch sensor completely behind a 1–2 mm thick enclosure wall. No hole, no mechanical button – touch works reliably through the housing, including LED feedback. The key is not the sensor itself… --- ## [3D-Printing a PCB Stencil Registration Tool](https://community.aisler.net/t/3d-printing-a-pcb-stencil-registration-tool/5450)
**Author:** [@Strooom](https://community.aisler.net/u/Strooom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 10:56am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/3d-printing-a-pcb-stencil-registration-tool/5450 "2026-01-17T10:56:48Z")
Introduction When prototyping PCBs with SMT components, you need to apply solder paste. Aisler can provide you with a matching stainless steel stencil, aka the Stellar Stencil, which is of great help. Still, aligning th… --- ## [Our Stencil Holder, a practical example for custom bridges](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-stencil-holder-a-practical-example-for-custom-bridges/2267)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-stencil-holder-a-practical-example-for-custom-bridges/2267 "2023-03-27T13:07:11Z")
When ordering a project your boards will be placed on a panel with other PCBs. Later on, when the individual designs needs to be seperated, we mill in between them to keep the mechanical stability of the panel intact. Du… --- ## [Copper distribution](https://community.aisler.net/t/copper-distribution/2727)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/copper-distribution/2727 "2023-07-05T13:39:52Z")
Overview The impact of copper distribution and the effects on manufacturability is a complex topic, in this article we try to break down the main effect at a high level. And how you can improve your design for better ma… --- ## [The basics of trace width selection](https://community.aisler.net/t/the-basics-of-trace-width-selection/4034)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2024, 9:19am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/the-basics-of-trace-width-selection/4034 "2024-05-29T09:19:27Z")
Who is this guide for? This guide is for beginners, and will cover the trace width selection for power traces, signal traces and manufacturing limits, more advanced topics like impedance, skin effect and others will be … --- ## [PCB Surface Finish](https://community.aisler.net/t/pcb-surface-finish/4078)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/pcb-surface-finish/4078 "2024-06-24T16:45:20Z")
Introduction To prevent oxidation and to preserve the solderability a surface finish is applied to the exposed copper pads on a PCB which are not covered by the solder mask. The most commonly used surface finishes are e… --- ## [Setting up a Component for Assembly](https://community.aisler.net/t/setting-up-a-component-for-assembly/2544)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/setting-up-a-component-for-assembly/2544 "2023-05-22T12:22:04Z")
Setting up your components correctly is key for Assembly, doing it right the first time and at the beginning of your project saves you a lot of trouble down the line. In this guide, we specifically cover KiCad, but you … --- ## [Setting up SoMs for Assembly](https://community.aisler.net/t/setting-up-soms-for-assembly/3443)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2023, 8:17am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/setting-up-soms-for-assembly/3443 "2023-12-14T08:17:26Z")
Overview SoMs or System on Module allow to quickly add subcircuits to your design and save development time and complexity. Just like any other component, they need to be set up correctly for a successful assembly. But … --- ## [Gotchas when you want no soldermask](https://community.aisler.net/t/gotchas-when-you-want-no-soldermask/84)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/gotchas-when-you-want-no-soldermask/84 "2021-12-21T13:36:24Z")
There are times when you don’t want no soldermask at all. In that case the first idea would be to leave the Gerber-Layer for Soldermask empty. This, however, is not how it works. Soldermask is a negative mask and thus –… --- ## [Using N-Channel MOSFET as level shifter](https://community.aisler.net/t/using-n-channel-mosfet-as-level-shifter/3634)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/using-n-channel-mosfet-as-level-shifter/3634 "2024-02-07T16:48:11Z")
Introduction Modern circuits often use multiple voltage levels domains in a single design, the microcontroller may require 3.3V and the temperature sensor 1.8V for example. To interface with the temperature sensor, we ne… --- ## [Implementing a USB 2.0 Device (UFP) with a Type-C connector](https://community.aisler.net/t/implementing-a-usb-2-0-device-ufp-with-a-type-c-connector/4676)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/implementing-a-usb-2-0-device-ufp-with-a-type-c-connector/4676 "2025-01-14T11:31:51Z")
Abstract This circuit appnote describes how users can implement USB2.0 devices (UFP) in accordance with the USB-C specification. Introduction Previous USB generations typically determined the Power and Data role through… --- ## [Our hands on guide to optimize your Bill of Material](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-hands-on-guide-to-optimize-your-bill-of-material/3588)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2024, 11:15am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-hands-on-guide-to-optimize-your-bill-of-material/3588 "2024-02-02T11:15:00Z")
Introduction The Bill of Material, or BOM for short, lists the kind of components and their quantities required to assemble a PCB. In this article, we describe how to optimize your BOM and provide useful hands on tips. W… --- ## [Plated Slots in EAGLE](https://community.aisler.net/t/plated-slots-in-eagle/1206)
**Author:** [@andreas-eet](https://community.aisler.net/u/andreas-eet)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2022, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/plated-slots-in-eagle/1206 "2022-12-20T14:03:50Z")
In EAGLE there are many ways to do slots. :sweat\_smile: I have an example of an USB - C port here: In the picture I have done it with the Milling layer. Note, that you have to do a closed line and not one line, see …