Gaps in copper pour

Making PCB Layouts, Manual routing, Auto-routing, Copper pouring, Updating from Schematic, Manufacturing Output
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Lvaughn
Posts: 27
Joined: 16 Jul 2010, 10:54

Gaps in copper pour

#1 Post by Lvaughn » 23 Jul 2010, 02:51

I have a board that requires a large copper pour with many vias between layers for grounding and thermal conduction.
In a couple of areas there are ragged gaps in the pour for no apparent reason. Unpouring and repouring results in the same gaps.
I can fill in the gaps by placing another pour over them but it's unhandy.
Has anyone else noticed this?

mcgyvr
Posts: 41
Joined: 22 Jul 2010, 06:43

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#2 Post by mcgyvr » 23 Jul 2010, 03:15

Try previewing the gerber to see if those gaps are there.. I've seen that before but the gaps aren't really there in any other place but the on-screen display.

tinker1
Posts: 126
Joined: 19 Jul 2010, 09:33

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#3 Post by tinker1 » 23 Jul 2010, 06:10

I suggest that you try reducing pour "line width" (in the pour properties) down to 0.008 or 0.010, and see if the pour then looks better to you.

Lvaughn
Posts: 27
Joined: 16 Jul 2010, 10:54

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#4 Post by Lvaughn » 23 Jul 2010, 09:20

I will review the gerbers as suggested, thanks.
I tried reducing the pour line width as suggested, and that smoothed out the ragged edges but did not eliminate the gaps.
Even if this is an artifact of the screen generation it is annoying, and it would be nice if it could be fixed in an upcoming release.

tinker1
Posts: 126
Joined: 19 Jul 2010, 09:33

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#5 Post by tinker1 » 23 Jul 2010, 09:54

Try reducing your clearance. If the gap between pads that you want to pass between is 0.045, try setting the clearance to 0.015, for example.


Try setting the vias that you suspect are a problem to the same net as the pour.

These may not solve your problem. In that case, I would check into sending your .dip file to support to see what they suggest. I have not tried more than two layer boards.

Alex
Technical Support
Posts: 3897
Joined: 13 Jun 2010, 23:43

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#6 Post by Alex » 26 Jul 2010, 00:44

If you send the file to support, we can help you.

Lvaughn
Posts: 27
Joined: 16 Jul 2010, 10:54

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#7 Post by Lvaughn » 26 Jul 2010, 02:16

It's not that big a deal, I have worked around it.
I just thought I might be missing something simple.
If I get the ok from the boss I'll send in the file so you can take a look.

novarm44
DipTrace Lead Developer
Posts: 466
Joined: 08 Jun 2010, 23:24
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Re: Gaps in copper pour

#8 Post by novarm44 » 26 Jul 2010, 02:44

You can just post screenshot of the problematic area. If the reason is something simple, we will be able to help you without files.

Lvaughn
Posts: 27
Joined: 16 Jul 2010, 10:54

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#9 Post by Lvaughn » 26 Jul 2010, 03:35

Here is a screen shot.
There is another small gap on the left that I didn't mark.
The irregular pour around J1 is a seperate pour, done first.
The main pour is done over it later.
The main pour covered the top of the J1 pour ok, the bottom leaves this gap no matter what I do.
Like I said, I can cover over the gaps with more copper pours, but it's a nuisance.
Attachments
Copper pour gaps.jpg
Copper pour gaps.jpg (106.27 KiB) Viewed 767 times

tinker1
Posts: 126
Joined: 19 Jul 2010, 09:33

Re: Gaps in copper pour

#10 Post by tinker1 » 26 Jul 2010, 05:44

In PCB Layout, I would try Ctrl+A to select everything. See if some little orange squares appear that you would not expect. I am wondering if you might have a Route Keepout shape that you forgot about.

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