News


Land pattern standard updated

18 August 2010 News

IPC has released the B revision of IPC-7351 ‘Generic requirements for surface mount design and land pattern standard.’

The standard provides designers and printed board fabricators with updated guidance on requirements of land pattern geometries used for the surface attachment of electronic components, as well as surface mount design recommendations for achieving the best possible solder joints.

“The new IPC-7351B standard introduces several new component families and lead forms that include micro-miniature flat-lead and no-lead components, and a new padstack standard naming convention,” says Tom Hausherr, EDA library product manager, Mentor Graphics, and member of the IPC 1-13 Land Pattern Subcommittee. “Overall, the IPC-7351B standard is a key publication in the electronics industry for accurate CAD library generation.”

A major addition to IPC-7351B, the new padstack naming convention consists of combinations of letters and numbers that represent the shape or dimensions of lands on different layers of printed boards or documentation. The padstack naming convention enables a designer to convey all variations and dimensions of a padstack, employing it in combination with intelligent land pattern conventions also defined within the standard, according to design rules established in the IPC-2220 design series.

A popular document that covers land pattern design for all types of passive and active components, IPC-7351 directs users on an appropriate land pattern based on desired component density through the provision of three separate land pattern geometries for each component. The new B revision of the standard introduces land pattern design guidance and rules for new surface mount component families such as electrolytic aluminium capacitors (CAPAE); small outline diode, flat lead (SODFL) and small outline transistor, flat lead (SOTFL); and dual flat no-lead (DFN) devices.

Several device families, including DPAK, QFP (quad flat pack) and QFN (quad flat, no-lead), often feature thermal pads on the bottom of the packages that expose the die to the printed board surface, which maximises the efficient heat transfer path when these devices are soldered to the printed board. The usage of such thermal pads, however, carries a risk of the component floating on top of the solder. Therefore, IPC-7351B now provides a default paste mask for those pads to allow the package body to settle.

The B revision of the standard also expands its lead-free coverage with the addition of new solder alloys and presents thoughtful discussion on etch-factor compensations at the designer level, as well as at printed board fabrication. In addition, IPC-7351 has been edited significantly by users of the standard to enhance its clarity and understanding.

IPC-7351B includes both the standard and an IPC-7351B land pattern calculator on CD-ROM for accessing component and land pattern dimensional data. The calculator includes the document’s mathematical algorithms so users can build a land pattern for a corresponding surface mount part quickly and accurately. The tool also allows for modification of dimensional attributes of IPC approved land patterns.

For more information contact Nkoka Training, +27 (0)12 653 2629, [email protected], www.nkoka.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

From the editor's desk: Pricing surge reshapes engineering reality
Technews Publishing News
The recent and continuing surge in memory prices has become more than a supply-chain story confined to global semiconductor markets. We have watched in disbelief as the ASP of memory has risen by over ...

Read more...
Siemens democratises EDA software access
News
This collaboration will provide streamlined access to advanced electronic design automation software for European semiconductor innovation.

Read more...
Components distribution: A promising trend
News
The European electronic components market returned to solid growth in Q1, gaining 16,9%, with broad, but uneven, momentum across the region.

Read more...
New appointment for Links Field team
Links Field Networks News
Links Field Networks is excited to welcome Jarrod Hutton to the company as a technical sales representative, bringing a powerful combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a genuine passion for innovation.

Read more...
Solar skills empower Alexandra youth
News
To support developing renewable energy skills, Yellow Door Energy launched YDE Lumen30, a programme that trained 30 young people from Alexandra township in Johannesburg.

Read more...
Advancing hydrogen mobility in South Africa
News
The hydrogen refueller was developed using South African engineering expertise and complies with 42 international and local standards.

Read more...
RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.

Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.

Read more...
RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.

Read more...
Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved