Courtyard Issues

[Ryan Marston]

I think this question is for Tom H. but if anyone else knows the answer, please let me know. I understand that the courtyard around a component is used to keep enough spacing between the compont and other "stuff". However, when you place two components side by side, do you use both courtyards to get your spacing or do you just use whichever courtyard is larger? I hope you can understand this wording, but it's the only way I get get it to come out.
Thanks

[randychase]

Good question. It is my undertanding that courtyards should not overlap. You can't use just one courtyard.

For example, some components will have a larger courtyard because they are taller (casting a larger "shadow")....you can't place a small component right next to that part because the smaller part's courtyard says it is okay and then ignore the other courtyard.

So.... use both courtyards, unless your board is really tight and you have parts hanging off the edge of the pcb.

Most courtyards are pretty generous in their sizes though. I find you can squeeze parts closer without any assembly problems.

[petehouwen]

I posted this on the PADS listserver, but since I got Tom's email, I figured I'd do my part here, also:

We are just beginning to look at courtyards, so I haven't tried any of this
yet, but here's what I'm HOPING will work:
We need .040 clearance around parts with a z<.125 dimension. We need 80
mils around parts with a z>.125. If I make a courtyard at the MMC of the
parts less than .125, and MMC + .060 for parts greater than .125, I should
be able to use .020 for a body to body clearance. I am not sure what we
need for tespoint clearance, but it should be close to the numbers we are
using for placement.

Thoughts?