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Client Setup
Some things to help you get started
Below is a download of our standard settings file. This automatically sets up your local client settings, such as default templates, color schemes, etc.
This file is also available directly in the vault at: X
XXXX
Directions for use are covered in https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/3932597/Altium+Designer#Install-%26-Setup.
The following expand details notes on what we configured in this download.
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Vault Organization
Where things go and how to name them
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Follows the Digikey product categories. Within categories, footprints are split by manufacturer for unique footprints. A large exception is made for semiconductors, as they all can share footprints. See the ICs, Semiconductors folder for these common footprints which are sorted by standards.
3D Models
Deprecated. We now embed 3D models directly into footprints.
are sorted by standards.
3D Models
Deprecated. We now embed 3D models directly into footprints.
Saving Items
Projects, components, symbols, and everything else in Altium are all managed in the version control system. Anytime you save to server you will be prompted to enter a commit comment.
You must add a note briefly detailing changes you made on all commits!
Components
Requirements for component files. See https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Symbols.1 and https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Footprints.1 for the symbols and footprints you embed!
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If a more detailed symbol isn’t available, footprints should be implemented using the Altium default yellow rectangle with “small” red outline.
Pins
Pins should be spaced by one 100 mil grid spacing.
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Layer Type | Top / Bottom Layer Numbers | Contents |
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Assembly | 13 / 14 | 3D Model |
Component Outline | 15 / 16 | Outline of physical bounds of package, excluding legs |
Component Center | 17 / 18 | Crosshair at center of component |
Courtyard | 19 / 20 | Clearance required around component / collision box |
Dimensions (OPTIONAL) | 21 / 22 | Additional details component (board edge, insertion direction & clearance, etc) |
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Solder mask relief must be set to “Rule.” Exceptions should only be made if a component datasheet requests exact values.
Plated Through Holes
Annular ring (the difference in radius between pad radius and hole radius) should be 12 mils / 0.3 mm. Fabricators specify a smaller size which we can use, but we recommend this size for ease of hand solderability.
This means you should take hole size (diameter) and add 0.6mm. See https://www.worthingtonassembly.com/plated-thru-hole-size for more.
Given a pin diameter, the hole size should be determined by adding 0.2mm.
Mounting & GND Pads
If a component requires additional pads that are not regular electrical connections, they must be defined as “GND” or as “MNT” dependent on purpose of the pad. They may be MNT1, MNT2, etc to keep unique identifiers.
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This can be achieved using the circle tool with a width of 5 10 mils / 0.125 25 mm and radius of 10 5 mils / 0.25 125 mm.
Pin one ideally is also indicated via pads with a rectangular/square pad (with the other pads being ovular/circular). This is most typical in through-hole components.
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