SOLDER / Service
PCB and Schematic Review Service
A focused review service for teams that already have a schematic or layout and want to catch expensive mistakes before ordering boards.
- Review areas
- Schematic, layout, DFM, BOM, SI/PI
- Best fit
- Before first build or design spin
- Output
- Issue list and recommended fixes
What we check
We review the design from the perspective of electrical correctness, manufacturability, sourcing, and bring-up.
- Power rails, reset paths, programming interfaces, and boot modes
- Connector orientation, pinout assumptions, and mechanical fit
- Decoupling, return paths, stackup, and high-speed routing choices
- DFM issues such as clearances, panelization, and assembly risks
- BOM availability, lifecycle risk, and obvious cost-down opportunities
When to use it
Use a review before ordering boards, before a second spin, before sending files to a contract manufacturer, or when a prototype behaves inconsistently and the team needs a second set of electrical eyes.
- Before a first prototype order
- Before a production or pilot-build release
- After a failed bring-up or repeated board spin
- Before handing files to a CM, assembler, or sourcing partner
Review output
The output is a practical issue list, not a vague opinion. We separate build-blocking problems from recommendations, include the design context behind each issue, and call out fixes that should happen before fabrication versus changes that can wait for a future revision.
- Electrical issues and risk level
- Layout and return-path concerns
- Manufacturing and assembly risks
- BOM availability or substitution notes
- Recommended fixes and release blockers
Design areas that get missed
Many PCB reviews only check DRC and obvious schematic errors. Solder also looks for the assumptions that tend to break first builds: reset and boot behavior, programming access, connector polarity, test access, regulator stability, thermal paths, part substitutions, and whether the manufacturer has enough information to assemble the board correctly.
A few useful details
Questions,
answered.
Can Solder review both schematic and layout files?
Yes. A review can cover schematic, PCB layout, BOM, fabrication outputs, assembly notes, and the connection between those files.
Do you only review KiCad files?
No. KiCad files are welcome, but we can also review exported schematics, Gerbers, PDFs, BOMs, layout screenshots, and other CAD outputs when the source files are not available.
Can a review happen after boards are already built?
Yes. Post-build review can help diagnose bring-up problems, identify likely schematic or layout causes, and prioritize fixes for the next design spin.