I just re-read my e-mail and realised it could be miss-interpreted. What I meant to say is PCB Fabricators can remove non-functional pads to improve the PCB Fabrication process. PCB Designers should not remove non-functional pads just to be able to route tracks tighter to holes.



The PCB CAD package I use, Pulsonix, can automatically remove non-functional pads if the user selects this option but it has a additional DRC check option that can be turned on or off, that keeps the DRC pad to track spacing as though the non-functional pad were still present.



This is based upon feedback I received from several PCB Fabricators that I have used.



Regards,



James



James Head

Oxford Instruments

Magnetic Resonance

www.oxford-instruments.com

www.twitter.com/oxinst : @oxinst

www.facebook.com/oxinst

www.linkedin.com/company/oxford-instruments



Tubney Woods, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 5QX, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 393200

Email: [log in to unmask]





-----Original Message-----

From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of HEAD James

Sent: 28 February 2018 08:19

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: [TN] -|EXT|- Re: [TN] Non Functioning pads



I would say no, don't remove them in this case. PCB Fabricators remove non-functional pads to reduce drill wear and tear and improve the side profile of the drill. They still need you to maintain the same clearance between hole wall and track as though the non-functional pad was still there. Non-functional pads should only be removed to improve PCB fabrication and never to be able to route tracks closer to a hole.



Regards,

James



James Head

Oxford Instruments

Magnetic Resonance

www.oxford-instruments.com

www.twitter.com/oxinst : @oxinst

www.facebook.com/oxinst

www.linkedin.com/company/oxford-instruments



Tubney Woods, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 5QX, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 393200

Email: [log in to unmask]



-----Original Message-----

From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Larry

Sent: 27 February 2018 17:28

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: -|EXT|- Re: [TN] Non Functioning pads



Ok the customer's main concern is that the board is still Class 3 if the non functioning pads are removed, I can't find anything in the IPC specs that says I can't remove them.  The main reason is to free up space for routing on the inner layers.



Thanks all,



Larry

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___________________________________________________________________________

This e-mail is confidential and is for the addressee only.   Please refer to

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