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Soldermask/Shapes

DAAS

Hi everyone. I just got back my 2nd pcb using 16.6....so far so good. But I'm pretty sure I didnt use the best method for the soldermask so let me ask here. I did read through as much of the Orcad online help and manuals as I could but the pcb had to go out before I could seek out the best method.

I was requested that on some of the etch layer copper shapes....that parts of the soldermask needed to be removed. Not all of it....but some sections. So you'd have the shape most covered with mask but a few sections with exposed copper.

I did it by creating the shape needed by using the SHAPE ADD tool....and putting them on the BOARD GEO > SOLDERMASK LAYER. Then I included that subclass in the soldermask artwork.

After the pcb went out I read in the Orcad manual that was a no no....that filled shapes should only be on etch layers.

So what would have been the right way?

TIA!

  • DAAS

    Yes I was working in the Mode area and that's where I set ON the "soldermask to shape" just to see what it would say about me adding in those Board Geo/soldemask shapes. I left the value as "not set" just to see what errors would happen and they did....saying the "actual value=0 and the required value=0"....I then set in different values and it always gens an error.

    No value stops a DRC error. Going to high a value starts generating errors elsewhere which makes sense.

    So when I go to look at the DRC's on the pcb it shows the DRC's at the edges of the mask I put there over the etch shape. I then thought maybe its warning me..."hey you are removing mask over this copper etch...okay?"

    Other than that I don't know how to fix the DRC's.

    Thanks for the help.

  • steve

    It's more like a pad-pad or line-line DRC. The shape - soldermask is the clearance between the edge of a copper shape and the edge of a soldermask shape, if it's less than the value you define you'll get a DRC. It's not for overlaying one on another.

  • DAAS

    Ahhh darn....you were to fast...:)

    I see whats it looking for now. And its like you just posted. I took one of the soldermasks I made and made it a lot smaller then redid the DRC. Its flagging it for the new mask shape being smaller than the etch shape. It shows there being a negative value which is right. But I cant put in negative values under the Design Options area so don't know if its possible to not have these DRC's as the customer wanted the smaller mask openings.

    Thanks!!

  • spccornelia
    in reply to steve

    Hello Steve can you help with an interlay issue? our fpc have both coverlay and soldermask layers we open up the cover coat to let soldermask in at a negative plane.there is a gap distance of .5 mm for vendor registration. allegro interlay pick up the soldermask pin and soldermask shape. I just want the interlay drc to pick up shapes and not pins. can you help?

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