The beveled and/or D-shape pads just allow for more "warm-n-fuzzy" room. A manufacturer that is churning out millions of assemblies takes the time to adjust wave solder and or reflow belt speeds and temperatures. When you are only having low volumes assembled, the rounded or beveled pads enhance the manufacturability. Also, a beveled pad allows 45 degree trace entry and a D-shape pad allows any angle entry so you don't have to worry about acute angles creating acid traps during fabrication. I am not advocating these types of pads except for use when your assembly vendor is not spending the time to work out the best yields. All PCB layout designs are different and the small end assembly vendors are not going to spend as much effort in determining the ideal (highest yield) solder adherence approach and that is usually included in your price. Just my humble opinion. Jim S. Wages / SR. PCB Layout Designer: Cary, NC - H: 919-466-1596 Cell: 919-484-2963 -----Original Message----- From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of sjchar3@xxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 12:01 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Is this the snow and round pad discussion group? I think the round pads could allow more routing room. -----Original Message----- From: allegrolist@xxxxxxxxxxxx To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 9:52 AM Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Hi Gary, No, but I spent quite a bit of time there years ago. I'm in Harvard, MA. Regards, Austin -----Original Message----- From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Macindoe, Gary Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 11:46 AM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Hmm. I thought you were in Boulder Austin? Guess not! Gary E. MacIndoe PCB Design Engineer Longmont, Colorado amd.com gary.macindoe@xxxxxxx _____ From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Austin Franklin Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 9:38 AM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Hi Gary, I keep hearing and seeing you guys are getting pummeled. We have had NO SNOW!!! And, it's supposed to be 63F tomorrow! Regards, Austin -----Original Message----- From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Macindoe, Gary Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 11:17 AM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Hey Austin, Are you tired of the snow yet?!? I shoveled out this morning before coming in to work! It's a good workout! I can see the benefit of using them on the bottom side, but I'm seeing them on top also. Regards, Gary Gary E. MacIndoe PCB Design Engineer Longmont, Colorado amd.com gary.macindoe@xxxxxxx _____ From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Austin Franklin Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 7:53 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: 0402, 0603 round pads Hi Gary, I use round pads for my 0402s on the opposite side of 1mm BGAs. That way I can keep the decoupling caps and termination resistors right there. Works fine, haven't had any yield problem. Regards, Austin -----Original Message----- From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Macindoe, Gary Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 6:05 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] 0402, 0603 round pads Hey guys, Man has it been quiet (or am I not receiving forum e-mails?). So, I've been looking at some designs from a couple of other groups within the company. Both of them have their 0402 and 0603 foot prints with round pads (0402 = rd25). Is anyone out there also using round pads for 0402s and 0603s, and why? They have oval pads for their 0805s and 1206s also. I still have square or rectangular for all of the above. Could it have something to do with lead free? Thanks and Happy New Year! Gary Gary E. MacIndoe PCB Design Engineer Longmont, Colorado amd.com gary.macindoe@xxxxxxx _____ <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100122638x1081283466x1074645346/aol?redir =http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaim%2Ecom%2Ffun%2Fmail%2F> Check Out the new free AIM(R) Mail -- 2 GB of storage and industry-leading spam and email virus protection.