My vote is with Bob. Allow break-out. But I also feel that the actual PCB requirements should be considered. For the majority of what I see, break-out should provide adequate reliable innerconnects. Some things that I would not consider break-out allowed on would be large long backplanes that have long trace runs. Something that would continuously run hot. The TCE of resin and copper are different. If a PCB had break-in (break-out towards a trace <without teardropping>), that might cause an intermittent open (thermal open). Such a product would be like a burn in board. (BIB) I'm curious if the ITRI test vehicle had a sample that represented a large board. Also, were some of the variables tested various copper foil thicknesses and classes (like HTE <4 and 6% elongation>) and various materials. Just Curious. Groovy