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January 2002

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Subject:
From:
"Roger M. Stoops" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum.
Date:
Wed, 16 Jan 2002 14:10:11 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (150 lines)
I have been following this thread with interest.  When I asked a pcb vendor
about having non-functional pads in the inner layers, they said it was not
a good idea, that the unattached pads/lands would move around, or "float,"
and cause potential mfg problems, such as shorts to other copper.
Question:  Is there any truth to this statement, or is this just an old
husband's tale?
TIA,
Roger M. Stoops, C.I.D., PCB Designer
[log in to unmask]


Trimble
Engineering and Construction Division
5475 Kellenburger Rd.
Dayton, OH 45424-1099 USA
Ph: +01 937.233.8921 or +01 937.233.4574 ext 288
Fax: +01 937.233.7511



                    "<Peter
                    George               To:     [log in to unmask]
                    Duncan>"             cc:
                    Sent by:             Subject:     Re: [TN] Remove unused "dead" pads on internal layers
                    TechNet
                    <[log in to unmask]
                    ORG>


                    01/15/02
                    09:09 PM
                    Please
                    respond to
                    "TechNet
                    E-Mail
                    Forum.";
                    Please
                    respond to
                    peter.duncan





Hi,

Actually these "unused" pads are replicates of the hole "rules" created for
the surface layers. Most routing packages, or routers, seem to do this by
default for each layer to save manual replication where traces, etc are to
be connected. (At least PADS, Alegro and Mentor do). On the grounds that
it's always easier to destroy than to build, it's easier to delete pad data
than to create it, so it's put in by default as there's a good chance it
will be needed.

I still say you should consider hole barrel strength/support issues before
just deleting them - e.g. they can constrain the "resin recession" and hole
wall pull-away that have been recent threads on this forum. Think of the
"unused" pads as 'wall ties' holding the copper at frequent intervals to
the hole wall. Copper bulging or pull-away in the event of recession or
whatever is reduced.

Peter Duncan




                    Hinners Hans M Civ
                    WRALC/LUGE                To:     [log in to unmask]
                    <Hans.Hinners@ROBI        cc:     (bcc: DUNCAN
Peter/Asst Prin Engr/ST
                    NS.AF.MIL>                Aero/ST Group)
                    Sent by: TechNet          Subject:     Re: [TN] Remove
unused "dead" pads on
                    <[log in to unmask]>         internal layers


                    01/15/02 09:40 PM
                    Please respond to
                    "TechNet E-Mail
                    Forum."; Please
                    respond to Hinners
                    Hans M Civ
                    WRALC/LUGE






Hi Patrick,

As others have said, I don't think the class of board matters for "unused"
pads.  It all depends on what your procurement documentation states, are
you
building to drawing or is there a clause that says process improvements
that
do not affect functionality are permissible.

"Are they really unused pads?"

They may be electrically nonfunctioning but they are there for a reason -
better lamination quality (avoiding low pressure areas or excessive prepreg
flow), better hole wall quality, better plating quality (esp. for any
isolated traces), reduced loading of your etch solution or better thermal
loading during assembly.

Hans

Integrity First  -  Service Before Self  -  Excellence in All We Do
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hans M. Hinners
Electronics Engineer
Warner Robins - Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC/LUGE)
226 Cochran Street
Robins AFB GA 31098-1622

mailto:[log in to unmask]

Com: (478) 926 - 5224
Fax:   (478) 926 - 4911
DSN Prefix: 468


-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Lam [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 5:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Remove unused "dead" pads on internal layers


Hi TechNetters,

For class 3 boards, is it acceptable to have unused pads removed on
interanal
layers.

Thanks,
Pat

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