PCB Padstack Features within OrCAD X

Key Takeaways

• The OrCAD X footprint editor introduces a comprehensive padstack preview feature accessible through the properties panel. 
• The footprint editor within OrCAD X features padstack editing capabilities that support pastemask and soldermask expansion for the padstack, along with parametric customization for surface mount padstacks. 
• The editor is equipped with a drawing mode for designing custom shapes with on-screen measurements.

A padstack defines the dimensions and form of a pad across the various layers of PCB. The term "padstack" describes all the elements linked to a hole in a PCB, regardless of whether the hole is plated or unplated or if it's a through-hole, blind, or buried hole. 

A padstack's components encompass the size of the hole as drilled, the size after finishing, the dimensions of pads on both inner and outer layers, the space clearances in layers through which the hole is drilled, and the space clearances in the solder mask that coats the PCB's exterior layers. Below, we’ll discuss the new OrCAD X PCB padstack capabilities. 

OrCAD X Padstack Features and Capabilities

Padstack Preview in OrCAD X

Within the footprint editor in OrCAD X, users can search for and preview detailed data on existing padstacks via the ‘Add Pin using Search’ command from the floating toolbar.  Clicking on a pin from the search table populates its data with a graphical representation on the properties panel. 

When examining an individual pin in a connector, users can view details such as the through-hole pin diameter, aspect ratio, and finish diameter. There is also the ability to adjust thermal reliefs at various levels, including individual pins, shapes, or across the entire design using the global design editor. The newly created pins within symbols are not isolated; they are integrated into the existing padstack library. This integration is facilitated by a wizard that ensures new pins are appropriately added to the designated libraries, maintaining a comprehensive and accessible padstack library for users.

PCB Padstack Data Through the Search Table 

Navigate through design elements including padstack information via the new OrCAD X search table located in the bottom panel.

The search table, an integral part of the new OrCAD X ecosystem, provides a view of every database object within the design, categorized by components, nets, pins, traces, and shapes.

OrCAD X showcases padstacks within a design by populating the search panel with all the padstacks incorporated into the project. This allows designers to efficiently locate specific data collections, assisting in the design process. 

Padstack Customization Within the Footprint Editor

Padstack editor allows for pastemask and soldermask expansion

OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor has a footprint editor featuring a unified UI streamlining the creation and modification of PCB footprints. At the heart of this editor is the padstack wizard, designed to facilitate commonly used padstacks, including surface mount padstacks that can be parametrically customized in terms of height, width, soldermask, and pastemask expansion.

Upon opening a footprint, users are greeted with top-level properties such as electrical, surface mount, and mechanical pins, as well as extents based on the mechanical body and its associated 3D model. The editor allows users to refresh or replace padstacks, navigate through design elements via the search table, and access changelogs. It also supports surface mount and through-hole pins, offering capabilities to search and select pads from the library, view their parameters, and integrate them into the design.

For those looking to add custom shapes, the padstack editor has a drawing mode that displays on-screen measurements of lengths and angles, complete with intuitive snapping for precision,  especially useful for designing flex and rigid-flex PCBs.

Discover the power of the PCB Padstack within OrCAD X. Sign up for your free trial today and experience firsthand how OrCAD X streamlines every aspect of PCB design.