Include Via in Thermal Pad Footprint

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   Hi,
In a QFN footprint with a thermal pad in the center. Is there a reason why we should not include the n vias in the thermal pad already in the footprint? 

If I am not mistaken, the standard practice is that the PCB designer shall instantiate the footprint on his PCB. 

Then while doing the layout he adds manually the vias in the thermal pad of each QFN package. 

It seems to me like error prone and a waste of time.

Thank you,

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gvellet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Active User Joined: 26 Jun 2021 Status: Offline Points: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote gvellet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Include Via in Thermal Pad Footprint Posted: 01 Oct 2021 at 9:13am
	Hi, In a QFN footprint with a thermal pad in the center. Is there a reason why we should not include the n vias in the thermal pad already in the footprint? If I am not mistaken, the standard practice is that the PCB designer shall instantiate the footprint on his PCB. Then while doing the layout he adds manually the vias in the thermal pad of each QFN package. It seems to me like error prone and a waste of time. Thank you,



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: 5718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Oct 2021 at 9:54am
	Most CAD tools cannot handle vias in Thermal Pad without a pin name. Most CAD tools cannot move or delete vias built into a PCB library part once it's in the PCB design. We created an entire library where every Thermal Pad had vias and put it out to our customers. Lots of complaints came in, so we removed them. You can add vias to the Thermal Pad in FP Designer if you like.
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