Hello,
I’m planning to have a pad on my board to solder a battery terminal to, and I would like it on both sides of the board. Ideally I would like to have top and bottom rectangles with four small vias through them, for low resistance.
When I try to build this thouth on the PCB view or as a package i get a multitude of ‘clearance’ errors from the vias.
Any advice on how to accomplish this?
What are the clearance issues? Is it proximity of 2 signals, proximity of a drill to the edge of a pad, etc, etc.
You also have to make sure the vias are part of the same signal you are trying to connect. After selecting the via tool, type in the signal name in the command line and your vias should connect without any trouble.
Also double check that your DRC values are properly set.
I’ve linked layers before with vias for heat reasons when using an Allegro Microsystems motor drivers with a thermal pad on the bottom. I had no troubles laying out the board or getting it to pass DRC.
-Bill
Is it proximity of 2 signals, proximity of a drill to the edge of a pad, etc, etc.
I don’t know how to check (other than a visual) is there a way to get verbose DRC error reports?
You also have to make sure the vias are part of the same signal you are trying to connect
I think this was the problem, the top and bottom layers were not part of any declared signal
Cannibal:
I don’t know how to check (other than a visual) is there a way to get verbose DRC error reports?
I’ve always done it visually. If you click on the errors, it will show you where the trouble area is. From there I look at the proximity of the edge in question to other features of the board.
It is possible that your layout is OK but your DRC thresholds are out of whack.
-Bill
why not just create a part with a through hole pad? then you will have a pad on both sides with a plated through hole connecting them.
why not just create a part with a through hole pad? then you will have a pad on both sides with a plated through hole connecting them.
I was being neurotic about getting DC resistance as low as possible using six small vias. settled on one big one since it will still probably be pretty low.
Cannibal:
Hello,I’m planning to have a pad on my board to solder a battery terminal to, and I would like it on both sides of the board. Ideally I would like to have top and bottom rectangles with four small vias through them, for low resistance.
When I try to build this thouth on the PCB view or as a package i get a multitude of ‘clearance’ errors from the vias.
Any advice on how to accomplish this?
Cannibal,
EAGLE is telling you that the layout has a DRC violation. Some violations are to be ignored, but the vast majority are red flags of a PCB fab issue. One has to use judgement on which to ignore. Good jusgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement!
A simple solution for your problem is to create a new library part, with the desired geometry and hole placement. Add this part to your schematic (where it will be connected to a net - say, Battery Plus in your case), and place the new part physically on the board where you want it.
This way you will also have DRC and ERC tools that will treat the new part as a component, and not generate erroneous DRC data.
For example, I create a new part called “PCB outline”, with any mounting holes that need a specific mechanical location. For example a voltage regulator that is fastened through the PCB to a heat sink. I then add it to my schematic.
When I switch to the board editor this creates an accurate PCB outline (with mechanical pads) that can’t be accidently bumped or moved. The holes in the PCB outline part do not create DRC errors, unless other components invade their space by accident.
HTH, Comments Welcome!
When I switch to the board editor this creates an accurate PCB outline (with mechanical pads) that can’t be accidently bumped or moved.
Good advice since I have a few devices mounting to the board in this design… I’ll keep that in mind for the next time around.
Good jusgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement!
uhoh…
I have done similar things in the past - with vias going through surface mount pads. Eagle complains, but there is nothing wrong with doing this in many cases.