That's what I like about standards. No ambiguity, good resale value and low-cost maintenance for the end user.
 
RL
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Gary Ferrari
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [TN] IPC SMT FOOTPRINT DESIGN GUIDLINES VS SUPPLIERS

I would like to address a few of the comments that have been made.

First, when the same component parameters and design fillet goals are input into the current web based calculator they should yield the same land pattern as listed in the RLP section. We have on occasion found an error in the component data listed in the hard copy or web calculator and have made appropriate corrects. Any discrepancies found should be reported to John Perry at IPC.

Second is that the calculator is based on the same principles as found in the hard copy of the standard. It is true that land patterns for the newer components may not have been tested as the earlier ones were. But in many cases the basic principles remain untouched. However, the land pattern committee does approve each new pattern based on an assessment culled from their own experiences with that component as well as input from other industry sources.

The last issue is that the 782 land pattern committee is currently working on a complete revision to our land pattern document. I would point out that one should not perceive the revised document as an indication that there is something wrong with the current land patterns. This effort is addressing new component families as well as a new concept going forward.

The new standard will be identified as IPC-7351 and will be of a format that provides slash sheets for the various component families. This will enable new component additions to get released in a much more timely fashion. The standard will contain four columns of data for each component. The first column will be the existing 782 pattern data. The next three will represent minimum, median and maximum applications. All component types not currently in 782 will be released to this new format. AS we move forward, we will NOT be adding data under the 782 columns for components not currently listed in the current 782.

As a general point of information, you will find that the current 782 land patterns will fall someplace between the minimum and median columns. What is important to recognize is that compromises were taken to reach the smaller sizes and it will be quite apparent where they were made. It would be wise for the designer to obtain approval from those affected by the compromises before using the smaller sizes.

The first release will contain the current 782 listed components with additional component slash sheets released in rapid succession thereafter.

Regards,

Gary Ferrari
Executive Director
IPC Designers Council
(860) 350-9300
Fax (413) 771-5386