Documentation

Insert - Mounting Hole

3 min read

Use to insert a mounting hole item into a PCB design or Component footprint. A mounting hole is like a pad, and uses a pad style, but is not a pad and so does not have a pin number and will not be included in a PCB netlist output.

It is also possible to add a single pin Documentation Symbol of type Mounting Hole into a schematic. The pin can be connected to a net. This represents a corresponding Mounting Hole in the PCB. The Synchronisation process will ensure these Mounting Holes are present in the PCB design.

Shortcuts

Default Keys: None

Default Menu: Insert

Command: Insert Mounting Hole

Locating this option

Available from: Insert menu > Mounting Hole option

How To Insert A Mounting Hole

  1. Select the Insert Mounting Hole icon from the Toolbar, or from the Insert menu, select Mounting Hole.
  2. A mounting hole will appear in the design or footprint, moving at the end of the cursor. If another mounting hole was selected prior to entering the option, then the new hole’s pad style will be copied from it. Otherwise, the hole’s pad style will be as defined in the Mounting Hole Defaults dialog.
  3. Right click to use options from the shortcut menu as follows:-
    • Change Style - to use a different pad style (shape, width and drill size).
    • Insert Multiple Items - to to switch from adding a single mounting hole to adding multiple copies at the same time. A dialog will be displayed for you to specify how many items in each direction and the gap between them. Hint: Use the shift key whilst selecting the Insert Mounting Hole tool to automatically enter the Insert Multiple Items dialog straight away.
    • Online DRC - to restrict positioning of the hole to conform with the design rules settings within the Technology data.
    • Display Clearance - to present a visible warning if you are positioning a hole too close to another item within the design.
    • Change Grid - To change the grid step, or work with no grid.
  4. Move the mounting hole to the correct position and left click to release it. Another hole using the same pad style will appear for you to place next.
  5. When all mounting holes have been added, press the Escape key to exit the insert mounting hole mode. The hole currently being moved but not yet released will be deleted.

Uses For Mounting Holes

Normally mounting holes are through-hole and have a drill hole for mounting components to a board or a board to an external frame, but they can also be placed on single electrical layers to create a copper land for a variety of reasons. For example, to provide extra solder spots for surface mount components.

Mounting holes in a footprint or in a PCB design not on a net can also be placed on non-electrical layers. This supports the use of mounting holes in footprints as glue spots, and allows you to change individual instances in a PCB design to have an alternative style for the mounting hole to cope with particular manufacturing issues on a per component basis.

Change Grid | Change Style | Display Clearance | Insert Multiple Items | Online DRC | Mounting Hole Defaults | Technology

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