Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols

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   I've noticed when I create items like mounting holes, they get created as package symbols as opposed to mechanical symbols.  
I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if this is the default behavior of the tool.  

If this is the behavior of the tool, why are things like mounting holes getting created as package symbols (.psm) and not mechanical symbols (.bsm)?  

Is this a bug or am I misunderstanding the purpose of mechanical symbols?
Thanks in advance!
Tim

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tjnash75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 01 Feb 2018 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote tjnash75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols Posted: 11 Aug 2019 at 7:35am
	I've noticed when I create items like mounting holes, they get created as package symbols as opposed to mechanical symbols. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if this is the default behavior of the tool. If this is the behavior of the tool, why are things like mounting holes getting created as package symbols (.psm) and not mechanical symbols (.bsm)? Is this a bug or am I misunderstanding the purpose of mechanical symbols? Thanks in advance! Tim



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: Online Points: 5718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 9:42am
	There are Plated Through Mounting Holes which are normally in the schematic tied to GND. There are Non-Plated Mounting Holes which are Mechanical. What's a .bsm file? Is that a Concept Symbol?
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tjnash75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 01 Feb 2018 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote tjnash75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 10:44am
	I believe Allegro and OrCAD PCB Designer both use psm and bsm files to delineate drawing types: Package Symbol (.psm): Used for footprints such as SOIC20, BGA, QFP, and so on. Mechanical Symbol (.bsm) : A generic card outline, mounting hole, tooling hole, board stiffener. Format Symbol (.osm): A through D size page format, company logo, assembly/fab notes, cross section diagram, and so on. Shape Symbol (.ssm): Creates a filled polygon (shape) used for custom pads. Flash Symbol (.fsm): A symbol used to represent a thermal relief connection on a negative plane. I don't believe the dra file is any different, and that the psm/bsm file is a binary file only used during placement. I experimented and there's definitely a difference, as changing the file extension broke my ability to place the symbol. You raise any interesting point about electrical connectivity, though. I wonder if mechanical symbols (from the tool's perspective) can still have electrical connectivity defined. I would think that a mechanical stiffener (e.g. a wedge lock) would possibly fall into the same category as a plated through hole, in that respect.

tjnash75 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 01 Feb 2018 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote tjnash75 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 4:34pm
	I've confirmed that Allegro mechanical symbols don't allow electrical connections, so at the very least plated holes can't be mechanical symbols and connect to a net. How confusing...

delovetsky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 17 Mar 2015 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote delovetsky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2020 at 7:07am
	Plated through mounting holes which are electrically connected need to be tested for. This means it needs to reside with the net list for automated testing. In Allegro a mechanical plated through hole will not allow a connection and would be voided within a shape.