Mike, For years we used your second choice. We now use the logic of all polarized components in the same direction, but not limited to only one direction. By this I mean we can have some vertical and some horizontal, but in either choice all polarized components must be oriented in the same direction. We do allow for deviations from this standard if there is no good way to comply and still make the circuit work. There are two benefits from making them all go in the same direction. For inspection purposes it becomes an easy task to identify those components that are not correct. For machine inserting, particularly PTH, the placement head does not have to constantly rotate to different positions, hence there is some gain in assembly time. For high frequency or very low current circuits this may all be a load of crap. So I'll use the phrase "It depends..." on what your needs are to make the circuit work balanced against the poka-yoke simplicity of all polarized components facing in the same direction. Hope this helps. Phil -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Green, Mike Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 8:59 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. --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a 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/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a 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/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------