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   <title><![CDATA[Footprints / Land Patterns : Trimming heels under the component body]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/trimming-heels-under-the-component-body_topic12_post14522.html#14522</link>
   <description>
    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=3">Tom H</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Trimming heels under the component body<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 27 Apr 2026 at 8:32am<br /><br />The link is for a paper that I wrote when I was employed by Mentor Graphics in 2010.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Siemens took it down.&nbsp;</div><div><p ="xxms&#111;normal">Minimum Trim Standoff: <o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-top:0in" ="disc"> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Only affects Gullwing Leads the A1 dimension <o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dieter Bergman said pad trimming is not an IPC-7351 Standard</span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">IPC J-STD-001 says that pads under low profile parts with A1     dimension is 0.00 should be trimmed for plastic body packages<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The default setting is 0.03 meaning that any A1     dimension less than 0.03 will get trimmed<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The trimming is to the Nominal Package Body dimension<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Many people turn it off by entering a value of 0.00<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Some people tone it down to 0.01 so that it only     affects part with A1 being 0.00<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The main reason for customers who requested this     feature was to compensate for component manufacturers to limit their ‘L’     tolerance. In most 1.27 mm pitch SOICs, the ‘L’ dimension is min 0.41 and     max 1.27. The tolerance is +/-0.43. <o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Today, component manufacturers have a maximum ‘L’     tolerance of +/- 0.25 and a nominal tolerance of +/- 0.15. <o:p></o:p></span></li> <li ="xxms&#111;normal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:       &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">See the attached TI Case Code D0008A. the ‘L’ tolerance     is +/- 0.43 which is too robust so Texas Instruments Recommended Pattern     trims the pad from going under the package.</span></li></ul><p ="xxms&#111;normal">Summary: if the ‘L’ tolerance is +/- 0.15 there’s no needfor trimming. Even component manufacturers don’t use their ‘<b>L’ </b>tolerance fortheir pad stack calculation. A ‘<b>L</b>’ tolerance of 0.43 is way too robust, but inthe 1980s and 1990s the ‘<b>L</b>’ tolerance was +/- 0.43 but today it’s +/- 0.15. Thelarge ‘<b>L</b>’ tolerance is the only reason for Minimum Trim Standoff Height.</p><p ="xxms&#111;normal">I hope this explains the issue.</p><p ="xxms&#111;normal"><br></p><br></div>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:32:08 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Footprints / Land Patterns : Trimming heels under the component body]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/trimming-heels-under-the-component-body_topic12_post14521.html#14521</link>
   <description>
    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=11979">m.elsayed</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Trimming heels under the component body<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 27 Apr 2026 at 4:59am<br /><br />Thanks,&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I have touched this point and try use the explanation here to understand point, however I notice the below link doesn't work.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Can provide working link please to check it's content.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://communities.mentor.com/mgcx/servlet/JiveServlet/download/28883-8838/PCB%20Design%20Optimizati&#111;n%20Starts%20in%20the%20CAD%20Library.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://communities.mentor.com/mgcx/servlet/JiveServlet/download/28883-8838/PCB%20Design%20Optimization%20Starts%20in%20the%20CAD%20Library.pdf</a><div><br></div></div>]]>
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   <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:59:32 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[General Discussion : Which PCB Design Software is the Best?]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/which-pcb-design-software-is-the-best_topic3020_post14519.html#14519</link>
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    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=19515">Digitalmonk</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Which PCB Design Software is the Best?<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 22 Apr 2026 at 4:26am<br /><br />There is no single “best” PCB design software—it really depends on your project requirements and experience level.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>For beginners, tools like <span =":entity-accent="" entity-underline="" inline="" cursor-pointer="" align-line"="">KiCad</span> are great because they are free and easy to use.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>For advanced and complex designs, solutions like <span =":entity-accent="" entity-underline="" inline="" cursor-pointer="" align-line"="">Altium Designer</span> or <span =":entity-accent="" entity-underline="" inline="" cursor-pointer="" align-line"="">OrCAD</span> are more suitable.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Also, choosing the right tools is important when working on<a href="https://digitalm&#111;nk.biz/electr&#111;nics-&#101;mbedded-software-development-services/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Embedded Software Development services</a>, as hardware and software integration plays a key role.</div><div><br></div>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:26:15 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Version History : Footprint Expert 26.04 Released!!]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-26-04-released_topic3641_post14518.html#14518</link>
   <description>
    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=1">Nick B</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Footprint Expert 26.04 Released!!<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 21 Apr 2026 at 2:41pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pcblibraries.com/downloads" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc"><u>Version 26.04 was just released</u></font></a>!!<p dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;"><img src="https://www.pcblibraries.com/Forum/uploads/1/PCBLDVDDownloadNow26.png" height="275" width="204" border="0" /></p><div><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><b><u>Fixes &amp; Enhancements:</u></b></p><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">FP Designer:</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Creating a surface mount Bottom Side pad with solder mask, the Pad Stack Name did not include the solder mask</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When selecting a Bottom Side SMD pad that was placed, the program opened the wrong properties dialog box</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Fixed an issue with courtyard excess for Bottom Side SMD pad stacks</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Added a new feature for adding lead zero's for A01 - A09</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Updated the ODA Pad Stack Naming Convention Documentation</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Fixed an issue with pan and zoom. When adding pins, sometimes the program locked up</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Library Editor:</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">New feature for adding New Rows and Copy/Paste an existing row into the new rows without the Part Number</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When all the cell data is the same except the part numbers are different</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Saving footprint rotation in FPX was removed. The footprint rotation now follows the Master Options.</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cleaned up the user interface editing functions including Undo/Redo</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When updating a Row, the program didn't ask to update the Physical Description</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When columns were deleted and a new FPX file was imported with the same column header, the additional columns were not added</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Calculators:</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Surface Mount:</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">LCC - 2-Sided version:</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The heel did not follow the solder joint goals in Options</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The pin 1 polarity dot was missing</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Through-hole:&nbsp;</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">SIP - Single-Inline-Package:</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">No silkscreen trimming for offset pads</li><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Footprint Name wasn't getting the correct pin pitch&nbsp;</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">All component families can now move to FP Designer</li></ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Options:</li><ul><li ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Through-hole Rounded Square pad shape did not follow the Option settings when assigned to the 'Default Pad Shape'</li></ul></ul><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:41:49 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Product Suggestions : Set Courtyard Extension Dimensions]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/set-courtyard-extension-dimensions_topic3638_post14514.html#14514</link>
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    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=3">Tom H</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Set Courtyard Extension Dimensions<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 20 Apr 2026 at 8:09am<br /><br />Courtyard Excess is a user defined option in "Tools &gt; Options &gt; Terminals &gt; Surface Mount'.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>You can define different Courtyard Excess for every Chip Case Code. 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, etc. can have unique Courtyard Excess.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>You can have multiple Option files for to create various PCB libraries for different applications. And you can define a Footprint Name Suffix for each application. You can create Option files for Flex (solder mask defined), Wave (larger solder joint goals), Rigid (Least, Nominal and Most density levels), with silkscreen for prototype and without silkscreen for production.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>With user defined Options there is no limit to the various libraries you can build.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The FPX file is Component dimensions. Your Option files create the resulting patterns.</div><div><br></div>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:09:09 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Product Suggestions : Set Courtyard Extension Dimensions]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/set-courtyard-extension-dimensions_topic3638_post14513.html#14513</link>
   <description>
    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=5510">pzt648485640</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Set Courtyard Extension Dimensions<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 20 Apr 2026 at 3:00am<br /><br />Currently, the Courtyard expansion is fixed at 0.2mm. Is it possible to specify a value of 0.1mm or 0.15mm? In practical scenarios—such as with mobile phone motherboards—a clearance of 0.1mm may be required.]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Questions &amp; Answers : Master Options File or CAD Tool Translator Issue]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/master-options-file-or-cad-tool-translator-issue_topic3637_post14512.html#14512</link>
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    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=1">Nick B</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Master Options File or CAD Tool Translator Issue<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 16 Apr 2026 at 5:24pm<br /><br />If you experience one of these issues:<div><ol><li>Footprint Expert installation is overwriting your Master Options file, or</li><li>CAD tool translator is not working correctly</li></ol><div>It is probably because you are using the same OPT options file as both your "CAD tool translator" OPT file and "Master Options" file. These two are separate files. As a matter of fact, there are <b>three</b> OPT option files:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>1. Console Options</b> - edit in Tools &gt; Options</div><div><img src="uploads/1/OPT-Issue1.png" height="236" width="485" border="0" /><br></div><div><b><br>2. Master Options</b> - edit in Tools&nbsp; &gt; Options</div></div><div><img src="uploads/1/OPT-Issue2.png" height="229" width="219" border="0" /><br></div><div><b><br>3. CAD Tool Options</b> - edit in the "Build Footprint" window</div><div><img src="uploads/1/OPT-Issue3.png" height="280" width="464" border="0" /><br></div>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:24:43 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Standard Components : IPC-7352 Mathematical Model]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ipc7352-mathematical-model_topic3636_post14511.html#14511</link>
   <description>
    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=3">Tom H</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> IPC-7352 Mathematical Model<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 16 Apr 2026 at 5:06pm<br /><br /><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This is an example of a 1206 Chip Resistor package.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Dimensions: H = 1.40, D = 3.20 ±0.20, E = 1.60 ±0.20, L = 0.50 ±0.25</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The IPC-7352 mathematical model includes the D, E and L dimensions and tolerances and the solder joint goal settings for Toe = 0.35, Heel = 0.00, Side = 0.00</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Resulting pad size rounded to 2 places is – L 1.15 x W 1.80 x G 1.80</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The resulting pad stack pattern must have the terminal leads on the pad stack in these conditions:</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Nominal Material condition of the component package &amp; Nominal Terminal.</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><img src="uploads/3/1206_NMC.png" height="305" width="606" border="0" /><br></span></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Minimum Material condition of the component package &amp; Nominal Terminal.</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/1206_LMC.png" height="302" width="606" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Maximum Material condition of the component package &amp; Nominal Terminal.</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/1206_MMC.png" height="304" width="611" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Minimum Material condition of the component package &amp; Minimum Terminal.</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/1206_Min_Comp&#111;nent_&amp_Min_Terminal.png" height="307" width="611" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Maximum Material condition of the component package &amp; Maximum Terminal.</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/1206_Max_Comp&#111;nent_&amp_Max_Terminal.png" height="307" width="614" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The resulting pad stack must have terminal leads on the pad stack regardless of every possible Material Condition possible to pass assembly inspection and meet the requirements set forth in the IPC J-STD-001 Standard and the IPC-7352 Guideline in Figure 3-3 Profile Dimensioning.&nbsp;</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">i.e.: regardless of the Component Package and Terminal Lead Material Condition, the Terminal Lead must never be exposed outside the calculated pad stack.&nbsp;</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">This is proof that the V24 Footprint Expert mathematical model illustrated in the IPC-7352 guideline achieves that goal.&nbsp;</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Note: most component packages are created in the Nominal Material Conditions. The package tolerances play a key role in the resulting pad stack. Nominal Package Dimensions &amp; no Package Tolerances.&nbsp;</p><div><img src="uploads/3/1206_No_Tolerance.png" height="292" width="614" border="0" /></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif"><br></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><font size="5">Solving for Lead Space</font></span></b></div><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="4"><b style="">Definitions:</b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">(All dimensions are in millimeters)</font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">tol = tolerance</font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">min = minimum, max = maximum</font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">L = lead span, S = lead space</font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">T = terminal length, W = terminal width</font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><img src="uploads/3/Solving_for_Lead_Space.png" height="104" width="160" border="0" /><br></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="4"><b><u>Example for a 1206 Chip</u></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b style=""><i style="">Lmax</i></b> = 3.40, <b style=""><i>Lmin</i></b> = 3.00, <b style=""><i>Ltol </i></b>= length tolerance = Lmax – Lmin = <b style=""><i>0.40</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b><i>Tmax</i></b> = 0.75, <b><i>Tmin</i></b> = 0.25, <b><i>Ttol </i></b>= terminal tolerance = Tmax – Tmin = <b><i>0.50</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b><i>Wmax</i></b> = 1.80, <b><i>Wmin</i></b> = 1.40, <b><i>Wtol</i></b> = width tolerance = Wmax – Wmin = <b><i>0.40</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b><i>Smax</i></b> = Lmax – (2 * Tmin) = 3.40 – (2 * 0.25) = <b><i>2.90</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b><i>Smin</i></b> = Lmin – (2 * Tmax) = 3.00 – (2 * 0.75) = <b><i>1.50</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3"><b style=""><i>Stol</i></b> (worst case) = Smax – Smin = 2.9 – 1.5 = <b style=""><i style="">1.40</i></b></font></p><p ="msoer"="" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><font face="Aptos, sans-serif" size="3">The worst-case difference between ‘Smin’ and ‘Smax’, 1.40, is statistically improbable since a simutaneous combination of extreme material conditions is considered beyond the actual range within which components are manufactured. To arrive at a more realistic tolerance range, the <b>RMS</b> (<b>R</b>oot <b>M</b>ean <b>S</b>quare) value is calculated using the tolerances on the dimensions involved.&nbsp; In this case ‘L’ and ‘T’.</font></p><div><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif">Stol(RMS) = RMS tolerance accumulation =&nbsp;</span><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">√((Ltol ^2) + (2 * (Ttol ^2))</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif">Stol(RMS)</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif">=&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">√</span><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">0.40 ^2 + (2 * 0.50 ^2)</span></font><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">&nbsp;= </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; : relative; top: 3pt;"><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" ="#_x0000_t75"="" style="width:3pt;height:14.25pt"> <v: =":="" c:="" users="" th="" app="" local="" temp="" msoclip1="" 01="" clip_003.png"="" o:title="" chromakey="white"></v:></v:shape></span><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:  &quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-fareast-theme-font:  minor-fareast">0.81</span></i></b></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Sdiff = difference between Stol (worst case) and Stol (RMS)</span></font></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><i>Sdiff</i></b> = Stol – Stol (RMS) = 1.40 – 0.81 = <b><i>0.59</i></b></span></font></p></div><div>To derive a new maximum and minimum dimension for ‘S’, in order to determine land patterns, half of ‘Sdiff’ is subtracted from ‘Smax’ and half the ‘Sdiff’ is added to the ‘Smin’. This technique is used so that more realistic ‘S’ limits are used in the land pattern equations for calculating the minimum land pattern gap between heel fillets.</div><div><br></div><div><div><b><i>Smax (RMS)</i></b> = Smax – (Sdiff / 2) = 2.90 – (0.59 / 2) = <b><i>2.605</i></b></div><div><b><i>Smin (RMS)</i></b> = Smin + (Sdiff / 2) = 1.50 + (0.59 / 2) = <b><i>1.795</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br></i></b></div><div><b><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><font size="5">Solvingfor Footprint</font></span></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif"><br></span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif">Definitions:</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Aptos&quot;,sans-serif"><br></span></u></b></div><div><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><div style="font-size: medium;">Zmax = pad span, Gmin = pad space</div><div style="font-size: medium;">Jt = toe goal (outside fillet)</div><div style="font-size: medium;">Tt = Toe tolerance</div><div style="font-size: medium;">Jh = heel goal (inside fillet), Js = side goal (fillet)</div><div style="font-size: medium;">Ht = heel tolerance</div><div style="font-size: medium;">RMS = Root Mean Square</div><div style="font-size: medium;">F = fabrication tolerance, P = placement tolerance</div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><img src="uploads/3/Solving_for_Footprint.png" height="110" width="170" border="0" /><br></div><div style=""><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style=""><b style=""><u style=""><font size="4">Examplefor the 1206 Chip</font><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p></div></font></div><div><font face="Aptos, sans-serif"><div style="font-size: medium;">F &amp; P were once considered as factors with typical values of F = 0.05 and P = 0.025.</div><div style="font-size: medium;">They are set to zero in this example to reflect improvements in the fabrication and assembly processes and are included only to illustrate their place in the footprint calculation.</div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br></div><div style=""><div style="font-size: medium;">F = 0, P = 0</div><div style="font-size: medium;">Jt = 0.35, Jh = 0, Js = 0</div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tt=&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">√</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ltol ^2 + (2 * F) ^2 +(2 * P) ^2</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Tt</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> =&nbsp;√(0.4 ^2 + (2 * 0) ^2 + (2 * 0) ^2 = <b><i>0.4</i></b></span></div><div style=""><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zmax = Lmin + (2* Jt) + Tt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zmax</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> = 3.00+ (2 * 0.35) + 0.4</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;= <b><i>4.10</i></b></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ht=&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">√</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">((Smax(RMS) - Smin(RMS)) ^2 + (2 * F) ^2 + (2 * P) ^2)</span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ht</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> =&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">√((2.61-1.79) ^2 + 0 ^2 + 0 ^2 ) = 0.82</span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"="" style=""><span style="font-size: 16px;"><img src="uploads/3/C_X_Y_Image.png" height="106" width="173" border="0" /><br></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gmin= Smax (RMS) -(2 * Jh) - Ht<o:p></o:p></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gmin</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> = 2.61 - (2 * 0) – 0.82= <b><i>1.79</i></b></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Size X = (Zmax – Gmin) / 2 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Size X</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> = (4.10 – 1.79) / 2 = <b><i>1.15</i></b></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Center-to-Center C = Zmax - Pad Size X<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Center-to-Center C</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> = 4.10 – 1.15 = <b><i>2.94</i></b></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Size Y = Wmin + (2 * Js) + Wtol<o:p></o:p></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pad Size Y</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> = 1.40 + (2 * 0) + 0.40= <b><i>1.80</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p ="ms&#111;nospacing"=""><br></p></div></div></font></div><div><img src="https://www.pcblibraries.com/Products/FPX/img/FPX_Case1_26pod.png" height="234" width="176" border="0" align="left" /><div><b>PCB Footprint Expert</b></div><div>Simplify your PCB design process with the Footprint Expert, the ultimate tool - it <b><i>automatically applies this mathematical model and automates footprint and 3D model creation</i></b>. Automation helps ensures accurate, consistent, reliable footprints with minimal introduction of human error. Let the Footprint Expert handle your CAD library so you can focus on creating flawless PCB designs faster and more efficiently!</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Get your&nbsp;<i>FREE</i>&nbsp;<b>Footprint Calculator</b>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<b>Footprint Expert</b>&nbsp;Evaluation License:</div><div><a href="https://www.pcblibraries.com/Register" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><b>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/Register</b></a></div><div>Call:&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>847-557-2300</b></div><div><br></div></div><p ="ms&#111;normal"="" style="text-indent: -24px;"><font size="3"><br></font></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""></p><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br></div><p></p>]]>
   </description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:06:40 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Altium : SODF OR DFN]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/sodf-or-dfn_topic3634_post14510.html#14510</link>
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    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=15739">dramos</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> SODF OR DFN<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 15 Apr 2026 at 11:49pm<br /><br />Dear Tom and Team,<div><br></div><div>Yes, I thought the same about SODF and DFN.</div><div>So I consider that the footprint I created is correct.</div><div><br></div><div>In the other hand, it is my question about the shape of the internal corners of the pad.</div><div>On our company, when we create a footprint we build it with Nominal density option and Most density option. The program allows to do it in a very fast and easy way.</div><div><br></div><div>In both cases, the value Side and Heel is 0.00. It could be similar to the value 0.00 that we have in the Periphery parameter on a DFN.</div><div><br></div><div>Furthermore, there are some SODF components where the lead is below the body, for example the mentioned&nbsp;RB751S40T1G.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday, when I saw the component that I downloaded I started thinking that perhaps it had sense and It could be done using the new features that Altium developed.</div><div><br></div><div>I know that it could be a crazy idea, but I would like to start this discussion with you because in PCBFE you have a big and long knowledge. You've been involved in footprints for decades. In my company there is not a dedicated librarian to share with him this kind of ideas.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, thanks for your comments.</div><div>david</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>]]>
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   <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:49:36 +0000</pubDate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Standard Components : Chip Component Package Tolerances]]></title>
   <link>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/chip-component-package-tolerances_topic3635_post14509.html#14509</link>
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    <![CDATA[<strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=3">Tom H</a><br /><strong>Subject:</strong> Chip Component Package Tolerances<br /><strong>Posted:</strong> 15 Apr 2026 at 4:52pm<br /><br /><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Every aspect of a PCB mounted component has tolerances.These include tolerances for Package length/width and terminals. The IPC-7351B refers to amathematical model that also includes fabrication and assembly tolerances.IPC-7352 removed the manufacturing tolerances from the mathematical model. <o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The mathematical model takes into consideration the minimumand maximum package dimensions to ensure that the resulting land patternaccommodates the package tolerance range. Tolerances are referred to as Min/Maxtechnology meaning the pad stack size and spacing regardless of if thecomponent package comes in the minimum or maximum material condition. <o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Since the package and terminal tolerances affect theresulting pad stack size and spacing, robust tolerances will produce larger padstacks while no tolerances will produce pad stacks that are too small. The IPC-7351Side solder joint goal for chip packages is zero. The pad width is the samedimension as the Maximum terminal lead width. <o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Heel solder joint goal for chip packages is zero. Theheel is determined by the terminal lead and package length tolerances. <o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">The Toe normally has a solder joint goal has a predefinedvalue. Then the terminal lead and package length tolerances are added to theToe value. The resulting Toe solder joint is a combination of the Toe goalvalue and terminal and package length tolerances. <o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here are the recommended tolerances for the various chipcase codes:<o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""></p><ul><li>01005 – 0.02 mm</li><li>0201 – 0.03 mm</li><li>0402 – 0.05 mm</li><li>0603 – 0.10 mm</li><li>0805 – 0.15 mm</li><li>1206 and higher – 0.20 mm</li></ul><p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Different component manufacturers will publish a wide rangeof tolerances. For example, Panasonic, Yageo, Vishay, AVX, Murata, Kemet andTaiyo Yuden will have different tolerances to the same Case Code. But the PCBdesigner or CAD librarian want one set of tolerances for each Case Code.<o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with no tolerances:&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_No_Tolerance.png" height="154" width="387" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.05 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal Nominal Density Level:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_05_Tolerance.png" height="155" width="394" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.10 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal Nominal Density Level:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_10_Tolerance.png" height="161" width="402" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.15 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal Nominal Density Level:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_15_Tolerance.png" height="170" width="413" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.20 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal Nominal Density Level:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_20_Tolerance.png" height="185" width="425" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.25 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal Nominal Density Level:<o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_25_Tolerance.png" height="189" width="429" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.10 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal <b>Least Density Level</b>:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_10_Tolerance_Least.png" height="162" width="369" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Here is a 0603 Chip with a 0.10 tolerance on Length, Widthand Terminal <b>Most Density Level</b>:</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><img src="uploads/3/Chip_10_Tolerance_Most.png" height="181" width="439" border="0" /><br></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"="">Chip component manufacturers do not use their packagetolerances when publishing their manufacturer recommended patterns. They use nominalpackage dimensions and add a toe, heel and side solder joint regardless of howrobust their tolerances are. If component tolerances are real and componentpackages can be shipped to assembly shops and some come in the minimum materialcondition and some come in the maximum material condition, there will beassembly attachment issues.</p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><br></p><div><img src="https://www.pcblibraries.com/Products/FPX/img/FPX_Case1_26pod.png" height="234" width="176" border="0" align="left" /><div><b>PCB Footprint Expert</b></div><div>Simplify your PCB design process with the Footprint Expert, the ultimate tool - it can <b><i>automatically rebuild entire libraries with modified tolerances</i></b>. Automation helps ensures accurate, consistent, reliable footprints with minimal introduction of human error. Let the Footprint Expert handle your CAD library so you can focus on creating flawless PCB designs faster and more efficiently!</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Get your&nbsp;<i>FREE</i>&nbsp;<b>Footprint Calculator</b>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<b>Footprint Expert</b>&nbsp;Evaluation License:</div><div><a href="https://www.pcblibraries.com/Register" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><b>https://www.PCBLibraries.com/Register</b></a></div><div>Call:&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>847-557-2300</b></div><div><br></div></div><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p><p ="ms&#111;normal"=""><o:p></o:p></p>]]>
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   <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:52:53 +0000</pubDate>
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