FEDEVEL
Platform forum

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 01:33 PM

Wrapping up the altium essentials course and I see in my Gerber viewer that the past on the FETsand pads is not correct. In the instructional video you can clearly see the pads represented in this view but each of my FETs only has two pins with paste represented.
Any troubleshooting ideas?

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 02:47 PM

I would first check in 3D view. Make sure you make the paste layer (partially) visible.

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 02:49 PM

To correct this, I assume 'standard' shape...
Edit the properties of the pad.
Make sure rule expansion is set for paste.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 06:55 PM

Hmm, that rule expansion tip doesn't work for the through hole pads, but it does work for the FET pads...
What exactly does changing the setting to 'rule expansion' do?

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 07:47 PM

Yeah, just checked the gerber file and the pads still don't show like in the exmample.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 07:49 PM

I'll keep digging.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 07:55 PM

Actually I just downloaded the course reference example and the pads don't show up on the Paste layer there either. So it looks like I have the pads sorted.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 07:55 PM

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 07:56 PM

1) Have you checked in 3D?
2) Normally, through hole pads do not have paste, unless you are doing Pin-In-Paste (otherwise names Through Hole Reflow) technology.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 08:01 PM

Actually now that I look at the reference pcb in 3d vs mine I see that I don't have any of the exposed 'gold' color. It's just covered in green.

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 08:01 PM

Just looking at the copper, I think you are missing more.

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 08:02 PM

Then you must also make sure that the solder mask expansion is also set to 'rule'.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 08:02 PM

Ok, I'll look at that

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 08:02 PM

Your 'old' setting is set to a negative value. This means that you do not have paste, nor solder mask.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 09:20 PM

Ok, so I had to go into the design rule and uncheck 'tented'. But then I had to go back and select all via's and manually make them tented to match the reference PCB.

QDrives , 12-28-2024, 09:22 PM

Why?
You can add a rule with condition "IsVia" and have that set to tented.
Or better, 0.05mm from hole edge.

NotSoFast , 12-28-2024, 09:29 PM

Well that works better, yeah. The essentials course didn't cover custom design rules. But now I know!
Thanks for the help with this. Much appreciated.