PCB Libraries Forum : Overlay clearance to include solder mask https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:37:17 +0000 Mon, 18 Dec 2017 08:31:08 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=2267 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Overlay clearance to include solder mask : All Legend data is set up in &#034;Preferences...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9354.html#9354 Author: Tom H
Subject: 2267
Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 8:31am

All Legend data is set up in "Preferences > Drafting > Legend" if you are using V2017.21 Enterprise

]]> Mon, 18 Dec 2017 08:31:08 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9354.html#9354 <![CDATA[Overlay clearance to include solder mask : My default clearances are all...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9353.html#9353 Author: NeilVPeers
Subject: 2267
Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 2:18am

My default clearances are all set to 0.15 mm both in PCB LE and Altium - including the expansion rule.
This then means I need a nominal 0.6 mm silk (legend) to pad clearance to avoid the silk to solder mask error - which is fine by me. The question was more to do with what would be the correct method of setting this in PCB LE preferences.
]]> Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:18:03 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9353.html#9353 <![CDATA[Overlay clearance to include solder mask : In Preferences, the default Legend...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9352.html#9352 Author: Tom H
Subject: 2267
Posted: 17 Dec 2017 at 11:18am

In Preferences, the default Legend Clearance is set to 0.12 mm (5 mil) gap between the Legend and Pad. 

The typical solder mask swell today is 0.075 mm (3 mil) and many component mfr.'s are calling out 0.05 mm (2 mil) solder mask swell on their recommended patterns. 

Most Altium Users swell the solder mask in Altium Rules and the library has 1:1 scale solder mask. 

What is the Drafting Legend Clearance set up for in your Library Expert Preferences? 

What is the default solder mask swell set up in Altium? 

]]> Sun, 17 Dec 2017 11:18:37 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9352.html#9352 <![CDATA[Overlay clearance to include solder mask : Having created a footprint and...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/overlay-clearance-to-include-solder-mask_topic2267_post9350.html#9350 Author: NeilVPeers
Subject: 2267
Posted: 17 Dec 2017 at 5:30am

Having created a footprint and then used it in Altium I am getting a silkscreen to solder mask error. 
The rules in PCB LE are set to give overlay clearance to copper and the footprint was correctly created to this rule.
Is there a way to include overlay clearance to solder mask or should I simply increase the clearance to copper to allow for my standard solder mask clearance?

Many thanks

Neil
  
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