ExpressPCB - Pad Size Defaults?

[Steve Mavronis]

What layout board properties default settings should be used? I may have messed with mine and I'm concerned if I'm using the correct pad and hole size, etc?

[G. Hoffman]

On mine they default to a .029" hole with a .056" pad, but that is for vias.  That is also the size for most ICs (all DIPs, at any rate).  I believe that via default resets every time you start a new board.

I always use at least a .035" hole for wires, and frequently use a .040". 



Gabriel

[mth5044]

I use 0.080" pad size and 0.035" hole. Same for both circle and square.

[John Lyons]

Yes, I use .035 for parts and wires. I use #22 wire and it works fine.
Larger parts like power diodes are a bit tight but they will fit.
I use .1 pads for wires and .08 for component pads.
.040 for trace width.
John

[acidblue]

My software uses  .0320 for hole and .550 for pad.
But ExpressPCB may use something different.
As long as your close you should be OK.
Theses sizes are pretty small. so the difference between 0.29 and 0.320 is pretty negligible.

[davent]

I found the ExpressPCB default component pads too small and the holes too big for the pad, when you etch you end up with only a wisp of pad around the etched hole, easy to dislodge if you need to rework the board. Like John i change most pads to 80 mil  or bigger if the part warrants it such as board mount transformers, connectors or big power resistors. I make the hole size much smaller however, i want enough copper left around the hole that it will act like a center punched hole and guides the drill bit to the center of the pad, helps keep those rows of holes for dip sockets nicely aligned.  To that end I use a 20-25mil hole.  For traces i'll use the largest size smaller then the pads (being smaller helps keep the solder on the pad and not flowing out onto the trace) so usually 60mil, i also try to leave as much copper on the board as possible, makes for a quicker etch, saves chemicals etc. etc...

Have fun
dave

[G. Hoffman]

I make the hole size much smaller however, i want enough copper left around the hole that it will act like a center punched hole and guides the drill bit to the center of the pad, helps keep those rows of holes for dip sockets nicely aligned.  To that end I use a 20-25mil hole.  For traces i'll use the largest size smaller then the pads (being smaller helps keep the solder on the pad and not flowing out onto the trace) so usually 60mil, i also try to leave as much copper on the board as possible, makes for a quicker etch, saves chemicals etc. etc...

Yeah, I've started to do the tiny holes too.  I still start all the holes with a carbide point scribe, because it makes drilling easier and extends the life of the HSS drill bits I'm using (the thing that breaks drill bits is bending, so all that wandering around to find the hole is a Very Bad Thing for the bits - they can be as dull as they want, but if they don't bend they usually won't break.) 



Gabriel

[linny1982]

I edited and saved all my common components as custom components. Its as easy as ungrouping the component, double click on the pads and change there size. Then, with the whole component selected again, go to the component menu and use "group to make pcb component". Once thats done name it by double clicking and re-typing the description in the name box, then go back to component menu and "save custom component". All custom components will show up near the top of the menu so there is no need to scroll the whole list to find them. Makes life so much easier.

Andrew

[John Lyons]

+1
I do that myself.