Engineering student program helps students focus on accuracy

AURORA, Colo., - (Feb 06, 2006) - Advanced Circuits, the country’s leading source for quick-turn printed circuit boards, today announced that university students across North America are using its FreeDFM service for projects to ensure error-free results. Professors at many of the country’s renowned engineering schools require students to upload Gerber files to Advanced Circuits FreeDFM.com service to check the design for flaws and manufacturability.

“Students as well as seasoned engineers know that if a design is flawed or does not meet specifications, it can create costly delays in production,” said Glenn Blackwell, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology at Purdue University. “With Advanced Circuits FreeDFM, our students receive an evaluation of their circuit board layout within minutes, making it easy for them to make changes on design projects.” Students and engineers at Colorado University, University of Florida and Cal Poly Pomona are also using FreeDFM for design projects.

Using FreeDFM ensures that circuit board designs meet fabrication specifications and that all the files needed to process orders are complete. This process helps student’s complete projects to the highest degree of accuracy and prepares them for real-life design scenarios.

Advanced Circuits Engineering Student Program (ESP) provides FreeDFM service at no cost to students. In addition, students can buy a full-spec, 2-layer PCB for just $33. There are no minimum quantities and all prototypes are shipped on time to meet project deadlines, or they’re FREE! Remembering how life is as a student, Advanced Circuits also includes a coupon for FREE PIZZA and SODA with every student order.

“We were all there once, so we understand the needs and constraints on the resources engineering students have available,” said John Yacoub, CEO and president of Advanced Circuits. “With our ESP, students are offered special discounts and technical assistance to help make the most of their engineering education experience.”

About Advanced Circuits

Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has been a leading a quick-turn printed circuit board manufacturer that specializes in producing engineering prototypes and production boards. Unlike other quick-turn printed circuit board companies, Advanced Circuits combines real-time online service with personalized customer care. Customers can talk to a live representative, or go online to get quotes, place orders and check status 24 hours a day. In addition, the company offers free design for manufacturability checks, obtaining results within minutes, at http://www.freedfm.com/. With no minimum quantity requirement, Advanced Circuits offers same-day delivery with standard delivery of 3 days. For more information, visit http://www.4pcb.com/index.htm., or call us at 800-979-4PCB.

About The Compass Group

The Compass Group is a private investment firm focused on small and middle market business service, manufacturing and distribution companies, providing funding for pursuit of growth opportunities, ownership changes and recapitalizations. Compass acquires interests in a broad range of industries, with a preferred equity investment size of $5 million to $30 million, facilitating transactions of $15 to $150 million in value.