In this episode Chris and Melissa dig into one of Chris’s favorite PCB design topics: pocket masking vs. gang masking on fine-pitch components. Chris explains why solder mask slivers matter, how PCB design tools can accidentally create manufacturability problems, and what designers can do to help prevent solder bridging during assembly. The discussion covers solder mask expansion, registration tolerances, stencil printing, pick-and-place placement pressure, and why “gloves, not mittens” is th...