We are having a vigorous discussion about how to deal with lead protrusion on our thru hole boards. We build mainly IPC class 3 boards, and have two Contact Systems CS400-D thru hole insertion machines that we use to populate these boards. Discrete parts are not a problem, as the leads are crimped to retain the parts in the boards for wave soldering. Our area of concern is DIP packages along with sockets, and connectors. When we insert DIPs we clinch two opposing corner pins, connectors and sockets are retained with temporary solder mask (goop). we are finding that the leads on these parts tend to exceed the max lead protrusion permitted for class 3 boards when used in .06 nominal thickness boards, but do not want to get into the quagmire of trimming leads and inspecting or reflowing after trimming. These boards will meet the class 2 requirements, and there is no danger of violating the minimum electrical spacing requirements when these boards are installed in our systems. Anyone else having this problem? If so, how did you resolve it? Your support is greatly appreciated. Keith Calhoun Manufacturing Engineer Sierra Research, an Integrated Defence Technologies company 485 Cayuga Road PO Box 222 Mail Stop 334 Buffalo New York 14225 USA Fax: (716)631-7849 Work: (716)631-6434 <[log in to unmask]> --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------