1) OK, say we follow IPC-7351 and use 0.40mm maximum for spacing between components.
First, spacing between bodies+pins or bodies+pads? We know it's for pick&place on PCBA, so the core of the rule is to allow spacing between components. The component consist of body and legs (if have).
Example 1. Say we place two QFN in front of each other. No problems, 0.4mm is obviously between bodies.
Example 2: We have two sop8 or any other with legs. Why standard libs of CS offer courtyard around body+pins+pads+space instead of just body+pins? See attached.
2) Courtyard vs Outline
In previous CADs I had only Outline and used it as seems Courtyard suppose to be used here. Does it really make sense to have Outline if Courtyard is used? Will they work the same on DRC?
3) About DRC and Courtyard
Above we agreed on 0.4mm between components. So, should I draw 0.2mm for a single footprint to pass DRC or CS is smart enough to recognize that if I use 0.4mm for a single component and place them on 0.5mm distance (which obviously cause crossing of courtyards) I don't violate the rule and will pass DRC?
 |