PCB Libraries Forum : Silkscreen for connectors https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:57:06 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:13:14 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1394 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : I could work it out. This is a...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5593.html#5593 Author: jameshead
Subject: 1394
Posted: 26 Aug 2014 at 2:13am

I could work it out.  This is a "grey area" because I specifically advise on my silkscreen layers that the silkscreen should not be used for component assembly - that's what the centroid x/y data and assembly drawing is for.  I'm happy for pin 1 on the assembly drawing to be a dot or a triangle or chamfered corner, as long as it's noticeable.

That said the silkcreen should still be useful as an aid for hand-insertion.  Whether it's a dot or a line doesn't matter as long as there's a consistant style on the board and for a particular customer.

Personally on some connectors I add silkcreen to resemble the connector in some way to make it clear.

On a screw terminal block I add a solid block of silkscreen to indicate the back, solid end of the connector.

On a wire to board connector with a friction lock such as the Molex 22-27-2xx1 series I will add solid silkscreen blocks for the friction lock.

On an IDC shrouded header I will add a solid silkcreen block to indicate the polarising cut-out in the shroud where it doesn't interfere with the pads.

If I can't do anything obvious and sensible then I will leave it to the assembly diagram to show it more clearly and add a line for pin 1.
]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:13:14 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5593.html#5593 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : All very good points. I&#039;m...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5588.html#5588 Author: Tom H
Subject: 1394
Posted: 25 Aug 2014 at 5:05pm

All very good points.

I'm glad that we're having a discussion on silkscreen polarity marking because we're in search of the perfect solution to this issue.


]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2014 17:05:25 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5588.html#5588 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : Tom H wrote:Can you immediately...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5587.html#5587 Author: JJonas
Subject: 1394
Posted: 25 Aug 2014 at 4:50pm

Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

Can you immediately tell where Pin 1 is? Can the assembly shop tell where pin 1 is?
 - Looking at your picture, yes, I can immediately tell where pin 1 is. I am not sure if it will be as obvious in real life because cutout is very small (~1 mm). And what if there is a slight offset (either of silkscreen or connector)?

 - What if we use the same connector but in SMD package? Then we cannot place cutout of silkscreen directly at that pin. In addition, there is no much space between the first pin and the top of connector.
]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:50:50 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5587.html#5587 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : In my experience the most important...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5586.html#5586 Author: ernestorey
Subject: 1394
Posted: 25 Aug 2014 at 10:12am

In my experience the most important function of the silkscreen for a connector is to illustrate whether it is mounted on the top or bottom side of the board.]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:12:11 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5586.html#5586 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : Yes, the silkscreen is a post-assembly...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5585.html#5585 Author: Tom H
Subject: 1394
Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 7:03pm

Yes, the silkscreen is a post-assembly inspection aid to assist the end-user to visually inspect that every component was not inversely inserted.  

 

]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2014 19:03:45 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5585.html#5585 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : The part in question looks like...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5584.html#5584 Author: Dale
Subject: 1394
Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 4:22pm

The part in question looks like it would be hand placed.

In that context I would argue that the primary use of the silkscreen is as an assembly aid, and therefore it should mimic/emphasise the obvious/non-obvious polarizing feature(s) of the part.


So for this part I would show a gap in the silkscreen, but where the notch is placed. Possibly even the number (14) could be shown.


The requirement for the silkscreen to be visible after placement is dependant upon the manufacturing environment - is the silkscreen an important inspection aid?


]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:22:43 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5584.html#5584 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : Sometimes the absence of silkscreen...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5583.html#5583 Author: Tom H
Subject: 1394
Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 11:30am

Sometimes the absence of silkscreen makes the best polarity marker. But you need to make the silkscreen outline so that it's visible after assembly.

Reason: Adding silkscreen text or triangles or dots usually hinders part placement on high density boards.

It's OK to add pin number text if your PCB layouts are low density, but that does not seem to be the common case anymore.

If you use placement courtyards, all silkscreen outlines should be located inside the courtyard.

This picture has a courtyard (magenta) and a silkscreen outline. Can you immediately tell where Pin 1 is? Can the assembly shop tell where pin 1 is?  


I would like constructive feedback on why this type of polarity marking is OK or not good.


]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:30:50 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5583.html#5583 <![CDATA[Silkscreen for connectors : Can anyone advice me how should...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5582.html#5582 Author: JJonas
Subject: 1394
Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 10:11am

Can anyone advice me how should silkscreen look like for connectors?

For example this one: 

How should I identify the first pin (or corner where that pin is located)?
]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:11:22 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/silkscreen-for-connectors_topic1394_post5582.html#5582