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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Soldermask offset....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9066 |
Hi folks.  What do the rest of you guys use for your soldermask offset? I am not going to tell you what I use, till I get some feedback on what others use, cos I want to know those figures without my ones being known - yet. I am looking for the best offset, with the tightest soldermask-to-pad clearance, that still works reliably at manufacture without overlaying the soldermask onto the pad you need to solder to. We could consider this a game of sorts - Who can guess what I use?  EDIT: Rob(ert Rozee) - You are not allowed to guess, as you already know because of our emails on this subject.  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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bigmik Guru  Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2870 |
Grogs, When you say "soldermask offset" I assume you mean the clearance from a pad etc? My boards are done with a 0.004" (roughly 0.1mm) clearance. So a pad of say 0.1" diameter would have a solder mask diameter of 0.108" (giving 0.004" clearance all around) Regards, Mick Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9066 |
Yes, I mean the clearance from the pad. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
I actually shrink the soldermask so that the pad is slightly covered with soldermask. Especially for QFN/SSOP's this gives some more soldermask between the pins which prevents bridging. I shrink it between 0.05mm for qfn up to 0.1mm for the 1206 SMD parts. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9066 |
Okey dokey, thanks for that info. My boards are setup for 0.1mm for SMD, and 0.3mm for pads. I will shrink the pad figure, as it has been wiping out some silkscreen I would like to get closer to the pads. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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