Print Page | Close Window

Thermal Pad Issue

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Questions & Answers
Forum Description: issues and technical support
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3541
Printed Date: 30 Oct 2025 at 2:30pm


Topic: Thermal Pad Issue
Posted By: m.elsayed
Subject: Thermal Pad Issue
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2025 at 5:56pm
I can adjust Thermal Pad by this parameter, but when open in Altium gives wrong value.

Can have more explain how to adjust this?

uploads/11979/nm.jpg" rel="nofollow - uploads/11979/nm.jpg

uploads/11979/exposed_pad_paste_mask=-3.2_same_as_size.jpg" rel="nofollow - uploads/11979/exposed_pad_paste_mask=-3.2_same_as_size.jpg

uploads/11979/ep.fpx" rel="nofollow - uploads/11979/ep.fpx




Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2025 at 6:15pm
80% Paste Mask Reduction will not give you a Checker Board Pattern. 

80% Paste Mask Reduction will provide a single paste mask aperture. 

70% is the highest Paste Mask Reduction to generate a Checker Board Pattern. 



-------------
Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn


Posted By: m.elsayed
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2025 at 9:48pm
 i have attached fpx, can please we have explain on it , 
if 80% not applicable why tool not block user , rather than get wrong values, please add more details for this point, when apply 70 % what values should appears in Altium


Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2025 at 7:29am
You must consider all the rules. 

You have a Minimum Paste Mask web set to 0.20 mm. 

You need to keep the Thermal Pad Paste Mask 0.10 mm indented from the pad edge. 

80% is doable however, you're not going to get a Checker Board Pattern. 

Many users set Thermal Pad Paste Mask to 100% and allow the Assembly Shop Stencil Mfr. design the paste mask reduction. 

All we're saying is that we found out that 70% is the highest you can go a still get a Checker Board Pattern. 

We're not going to limit the software program and not allow 80%. If you're not educated on the mathematics of paste mask reduction, and the consequences of your Option settings, that's not our responsibility. It's trial and error. 



-------------
Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn


Posted By: m.elsayed
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2025 at 5:14am
Thanks alot Tom for your support and great help
the purpose of question is to get understand the information from expert one like you
and know how it works and check what issue on configuration or setting i did
can find screen below for my settings , and help




Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 16 Sep 2025 at 7:47am
Footprint Expert had the default Thermal Pad Paste Mask Reduction setting at 50% for many years from 2004 - 2016. We bumped it up to 60% default after helping IPC develop the IPC-7093A standard in 2017. 

For many years we set the Thermal Pad Paste Mask reduction should be between 40 - 60% with 70% being the limit to accommodate both the Thermal Pad Minimum Space (between checkerboard patterns) and the paste mask apertures. 

80% paste mask reduction is too big to accommodate the Minimum Space and produce a checker board pattern. 80% - 100% will give you a single paste mask aperture that is 80% less than the thermal pad size. 

You have to understand the mathematics involved in paste mask reduction and the minimum aperture spacing rule. You do the math and you'll see that everything works accordingly. Take any pad and reduce the size by 80% and see the results.



-------------
Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn


Posted By: m.elsayed
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2025 at 1:46am
Thanks alot for your support



Print Page | Close Window