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tigard-tools / tigard

An FTDI FT2232H-based multi-protocol tool for hardware hacking
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Add Fiducials #35

Closed G-Pereira closed 3 years ago

G-Pereira commented 3 years ago

Hello! Really nice project! I would like to suggest adding 3 non-collinear fiducials (3 corners of the board) so a pick and place like the Index (https://github.com/sphawes/index) can be used to assemble these boards.

fharding1 commented 3 years ago

When the boards were manufactured I believe we just put fiducial markings on the panel edge rails. Also, different manufacturers often have different requirements/expectations for fiducials. I'm not sure it makes sense to add them to master.

G-Pereira commented 3 years ago

I've meant fiducials on the board itself so people can assemble at shops or home. I would imagine you would like to do that as well to decrease manufacturing costs and increase sales and profit

fharding1 commented 3 years ago

If we are doing a large run, sending gerbers with fiducial markings would be unnecessary and potentially confuse the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is handling panelization, they will want to have control over the size/shape/position of the fiducials.

Fiducial markings are not necessary for hand assembly.

If someone does have a home pick and place machine, and happens to be assembling just one board instead of a panel, I would imagine they have the ability to add fiducial markings themselves (and to their liking).

G-Pereira commented 3 years ago

Fair enough!

securelyfitz commented 3 years ago

Just wanted to add - we optimized tigard for mass production and automated assembly, in contrast to TIMEP which is very similar and optimized for hand assembly. Small batch automated assembly falls into a gap between the two, but I agree with @fharding1 that since fiducial requirements vary based on your assembly method, it's best to keep it out of the board design itself.

G-Pereira commented 3 years ago

Me too, that's a very valid point!