So... no way around this... it does depend.

For high volume, high automated content, zero re-work policy (heh heh), 
very stringent performance requirements, and much pressure for low cost, I 
don't worry much about matching orientations. I know it upsets some people 
some times, but the way I have come to see it, my job is to achieve 
minimum upset rather than the total avoidance of upset. Clean routing, 
layer count, and PCB size, are just some of the factors that are a higher 
priority.

Solderability is a separate issue. I'm talking about component orientation 
of reflowed SMT parts.

We avoid leaded (leed not led) parts and hand insert ops as much as 
possible. When a hand inserted part has potential for misplacement, we 
often pay extra for a pokeyoke feature of some sort.

If the orientation does not affect throughput and is an automated process, 
I don't see the need for same orientation as a high priority at all. It is 
certainly something to strive for, but in my environment it is one of the 
first things to throw out the window. Your environment may differ...

BR,
-Chris



-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Green, Mike
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 6:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Component Orientation Survey

When you design boards, do you:
-lay out similar polar components oriented in the same direction for
ease of manufacture regardless of the shortest routing
or
-lay out each component oriented in the best position for routing
regardless of the orientation of other similar parts?

We have a difference of opinion as to which is more prevalent practice.

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