Additional Assembly Graphics?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   A plain rectangle or circle is perhaps not the most optimal way to describe/show a component.
Is there a way to add graphics (lines/text/symbols, ...) to the Assembly representation?
/Benn

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
BennsPCB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advanced User Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote BennsPCB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Additional Assembly Graphics? Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 1:14am
	A plain rectangle or circle is perhaps not the most optimal way to describe/show a component. Is there a way to add graphics (lines/text/symbols, ...) to the Assembly representation? /Benn



Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 1:15pm
	A corner chamfer by pin 1 helps if the component should not be assembled inverted. Resistors and non-polarized capacitors don't need a corner chamfer because they can be inverted during assembly. But all IC's and polarized discrete passive components need a corner chamfer because they only have 1 assembly option. But the point is right on. Assembly outlines for assembly drawings do not need to be complex shapes to show off an individual's artistic personality. They should be simple rectangle or circle because the only one who ever sees the assembly drawing is the assembly shop. Why spend a lot of time on something that no one cares about. After the assembly process or after the assembly shop automates the assembly line, the assembly drawing is archived along with the Gerber data and most of the time never seen again. However, there are some PCB designers who import DXF files with complex details of many line segments representing the physical component. They use these imported lines for both the silkscreen and the assembly drawing. Unfortunately the artistic silkscreen gets covered up by the component body during assembly so the EE engineer or the end consumer never gets to see it. So why do it? This is a real question that I need to know what is the reason to do this? To me, it makes the Footprint file size large and when you put a lot of these in your PCB layout, the file size gets large and it takes longer to post process, uses up more silkscreen ink (unnecessarily) and makes the assembly drawing size larger. All of this translates into expense for the corporation (the company you work for). Simple is better. PCB designers would be better off to use their artistic qualities on a hobby. But alas, PCB design is some people's hobby. If you have a lot of time on your hands and your company does not care about the additional expense to create complex silkscreen and assembly outlines, then go for it.

dwaltoneng Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advanced User Joined: 02 Mar 2013 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 193	Post Options Post Reply Quote dwaltoneng Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 2:24pm
	It could help during layout to have a bit more detail on some components. For example: Side activated switches. For connectors designed to hang over the edge of the board, it is useful to have a marker for the board edge. Large complex shape components, eg pressure sensors with spigots for pressure tubing.

Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 2:45pm
	You're correct. I was referring to parts like this SMT speaker. This silkscreen outline does not help the PCB designer, fabrication or assembly process. And it's covered up after assembly except the "+".

BennsPCB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advanced User Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote BennsPCB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 11:35pm
	I see your point Tom, and in the case of silkscreen I totally agree, but I haven't mentioned silkscreen in my question. I was referring to how to slightly improve the Assembly drawing, that is (still) used not only by prototype assembly people but also the guys that have to repair in the fields. A simple line/box/triangle/circle/text would certainly help to clarify in many cases, without adding too much complexity/info to the footprint data. That SMT speaker example is way too complex and is absolutely NOT what I would prefer. /Benn

jameshead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Status: Offline Points: 576	Post Options Post Reply Quote jameshead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 12:31am
	It's useful to have something a bit more representative sometimes on both silkscreen and assembly diagrams for hand inserted components. Operators will use both silkscreen on the board and the assembly drawing.

rdl86626 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advanced User Joined: 20 Jul 2012 Location: Hollister, CA Status: Offline Points: 83	Post Options Post Reply Quote rdl86626 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2013 at 7:27am
	I agree. I have been adding polorization symbols to diodes and caps and pin 1 of chips because the assembly drawing may not be available to test techs. Everyone here wants it to be more visable.

matthelm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Active User Joined: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote matthelm Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jun 2013 at 9:56am
	First, these comments are for production boards. If you are just doing low run boards, add all the detail you want/have time for, as your assembly process may have NO automation, and then you just might need all that stuff. The only time I add extra to the assembly, is if it helps place/ID the part. If I get the DXF Tom has above, I'd remove about 95% of the details. I'd leave the outer edge, and the internal "+", maybe the internal circle and the some of the pin details, depending on if it helps get the part placed correctly. I never add anything to the silk, except the outline (MAX size) and the polarity marker. BTW, if you are making a larger number of boards (3K/Month or more) you can save a bit by removing the silk from production boards, but if you do, make sure everyone can get to the assembly drawings. A company I worked for in the 90s did this, and had no issues, and with the parts getting smaller and smaller ....