"Don't blame Kmart if your fourteen dollar tent failed 3/4 the way up Mount Everest." 

I REALLY liked that quote, and I'm going to keep it for later use, if you don't mind. It's particularly funny in the context of via tenting, but it's applicable to many situations. I think it captures an important truth, namely that people have a responsibility (especially if they don't ask the supplier/producer for their guidance) to determine the suitability of a product for their intended use.
I will give proper credit when using it in a public context.

Tim Reeves


-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 4:25 PM
Subject: Re: PCB design with mask over vias.


Hello Willie,

This is probably to little to late...
Regarding the Customer whose CCAs craped out in the refrig environment.  If you built to print -and can prove it- shame on the Customer for not owning up to the issue.  Same with the board house; build to print and keep moving.  After all this IS a business and not a science project.
I will say that conform coat of one side -to me- sounds... well; not good.  I worry about the board edges not being coated never mind an entire side.
Relative to the "via tent."  Don't blame Kmart if your fourteen dollar tent failed 3/4 the way up Mount Everest.  There are two ways to "tent" a via: 1) reliably and 2) writing on the print "tent vias" or better yet, don't include them in the solder mask film tool.
Reliable coverage of vias will ensure no entrapped air will be problematic.  There are ways to do this, but it comes down to additional piece price cost, longer delivery schedule and limitations on PCB suppliers.

The simple answer to the Customer would be:
We verified both we and the supplier built to print.  I suggest this may be the root cause...  (in this case bare copper due to tenting) and here are some ideas.

Then if they want you to resolve it, charge them in a business manner.  If they chose to resolve it, then you are valuable insight rendering kind of folks; value added.

This was a good one, how did it work out?

Brad

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