Single-layer vs multi-layer PCB in PCB Design - Business Scenario Comparison

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product analyst at an electronics manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report comparing the production costs and defect rates of single-layer and multi-layer PCBs over the last year.

📊 Data: You have monthly production data including PCB type (single-layer or multi-layer), number of units produced, total production cost, and number of defects found.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard showing monthly trends of production cost per unit and defect rate for both PCB types, with clear comparisons.

Sample Data

Month	PCB_Type	Units_Produced	Total_Cost	Defects
Jan	Single-layer	1000	5000	50
Jan	Multi-layer	800	7200	40
Feb	Single-layer	1100	5500	55
Feb	Multi-layer	850	7650	42
Mar	Single-layer	1050	5250	53
Mar	Multi-layer	900	8100	45
Apr	Single-layer	1200	6000	60
Apr	Multi-layer	950	8550	47

1

Step 1: Create a calculated column 'Cost_Per_Unit' dividing Total_Cost by Units_Produced for each row.

Cost_Per_Unit = Total_Cost / Units_Produced

Expected Result

For Jan Single-layer: 5000 / 1000 = 5.0

2

Step 2: Create a calculated column 'Defect_Rate' dividing Defects by Units_Produced for each row.

Defect_Rate = Defects / Units_Produced

Expected Result

For Jan Single-layer: 50 / 1000 = 0.05 (5%)

3

Step 3: Build a line chart with Month on the X-axis, Cost_Per_Unit on the Y-axis, and separate lines for Single-layer and Multi-layer PCB types.

Chart config: X=Month, Y=Cost_Per_Unit, Legend=PCB_Type

Expected Result

Chart shows monthly cost per unit trends for both PCB types.

4

Step 4: Build a second line chart with Month on the X-axis, Defect_Rate on the Y-axis, and separate lines for Single-layer and Multi-layer PCB types.

Chart config: X=Month, Y=Defect_Rate, Legend=PCB_Type

Expected Result

Chart shows monthly defect rate trends for both PCB types.

5

Step 5: Add a summary table showing average Cost_Per_Unit and average Defect_Rate for each PCB type over all months.

Average Cost_Per_Unit = AVERAGE(Cost_Per_Unit) grouped by PCB_Type Average Defect_Rate = AVERAGE(Defect_Rate) grouped by PCB_Type

Expected Result

Single-layer average cost per unit ~5.0, defect rate ~5%; Multi-layer average cost per unit ~9.0, defect rate ~5%

Final Result

Monthly Cost Per Unit and Defect Rate Trends

Month | Single-layer Cost | Multi-layer Cost | Single-layer Defect Rate | Multi-layer Defect Rate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan   | 5.00              | 9.00             | 5.0%                     | 5.0%
Feb   | 5.00              | 9.00             | 5.0%                     | 4.94%
Mar   | 5.00              | 9.00             | 5.05%                    | 5.0%
Apr   | 5.00              | 9.00             | 5.0%                     | 4.95%

Summary Table:
PCB Type     | Avg Cost Per Unit | Avg Defect Rate
-----------------------------------------------
Single-layer | 5.00              | 5.01%
Multi-layer  | 9.00              | 4.97%

✓Single-layer PCBs have a consistent lower cost per unit (~$5) compared to multi-layer PCBs (~$9).

✓Defect rates are similar for both PCB types, around 5%.

✓Multi-layer PCBs cost almost double per unit but do not show higher defect rates.

✓Cost efficiency favors single-layer PCBs, while multi-layer PCBs may offer other benefits not shown here.

Bonus Challenge

Add a visualization comparing total production volume and total defects per PCB type over the year.

Show Hint

Sum Units_Produced and Defects by PCB_Type, then create a bar chart with two bars per PCB type.