Bellcore TR-NWT-000078 in paragraph 6.2.1.2.4 recommends that non-functional pads exist on every conductor layer. Yet all CAM systems have a non-functional pad removal function. Some board manufacturers use this functional automatically Most board shops, I think, would like to use this function. My question: Does there exist a statistically significant study on the reliability of boards that do not have the non-functional pads? If so, is this study published? Regards, Jamie Baumgart, DSC Communications [log in to unmask]