Problem with a Wurth Elektronik library? Or is my version of Altium to old? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PeterL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 03:24:18 pm
content: So I recently used a Wurth inductor in a new design, and used the Altium library that Wurth provided for it.It had a problem however: the pads were covered with soldermask.But since I'm working with an older version of Altium (AD10), I'm wondering if that could actually be the problem.So maybe someone here is willing to test this on AD16? The particular library can be found here:http://katalog.we-online.com/en/pbs/WE-TPC#vs_t1:3('alt' under Family Specific Files)Just open it and extract it, then take a look at the footprint 'WE-TPC_3816'. In my case there is nothing on the TopSolder-layer. I wonder if this is the case for everyone.And just for reference, the 'WE-TPC_2828' is ok.

author: DutchGert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 04:02:42 pm
content: Same here, so they probably made a mistake.In my opinion its always best to just make your own libraries, espescially with passives it is very simple and does not take a lot of time even if done manually without the help of the IPC wizard. That way you get consistent footprints and the best results.Only thing to use supplier libraries for are to grab 3D models from if they dont offer them on the website.

author: PeterL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 05:27:51 pm
content: Ok, thanks for testing.Yeah, normally I make pcb footprints myself, but if it's provided to me and it's usable then I have no problems using it.Having soldermask over the pads seemed so stupid to me that I thought it must be something else. I guess I was wrong..

author: chris_leyson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 06:24:58 pm
content: Maybe one day they will do a Cadence/Orcad library but I have to do my own footprints. Soldermask over the pads must have been a human error. Found an incorrect step model for a 14-way vertical 0.5mm pitch FFC connector the other day, Wurth 687314124422, the clearance for the flat flex should be (14+1)x0.5+0.1 or 7.6mm but in the step model it is 7.1mm. I tend to use Wurth inductors in small switchers by default these days, they're nice inductors, incidentally just designed some WE-TPC_2828 15u inductors into an LM2611 Cuk converter.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 04:03:55 am
content: Why would you use a library without checking it, and fixing it to your satisfaction?That's like buying a book of stickers and complaining that they spell out a daft story!I still have yet to download a library that I would consider usable.Wurth's 3D models, however, are generally excellent, and I often look for them even when making footprints for competing parts!Tim

author: DutchGert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 10:13:35 am
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on October 20, 2016, 04:03:55 amThat sounds an awful lot like what i usually do

author: blackfin76
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 11:15:25 am
content: Yep, the Wurth libraries are full of errors. Some headers used really weird pin number sequences. They don't use library revisions either so if you download 'the same' library on a later time, don't expect the same library. The sometimes fix issues with components but you never know it the introduced new errors.Always check library components before use, I learned that the hard way

author: PeterL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 05:19:08 pm
content: Quote from: blackfin76 on October 21, 2016, 11:15:25 amYeah, I have noticed that one also, I already forgot about it.But just to clarify: the reason I doubted my Altium version here was that this component has pads with complex shapes (made with fills). And since AD10 has no decent way to make complex shaped pads (or none that I know about) I thought just maybe there is something in this files that my old altium does not understand.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 10:53:14 pm
content: chances are the footrint you are having issues with isn't actually designed in Altium, but translated to Altium from something else...it'd be really really really hard for anyone who knew remotely what they were doing to make that kind of mistake when making a part footptint..

author: stefanh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2016, 01:06:33 am
content: The Wurth libraries are great for the 3D models, but it doesn't hurt to double check them all.Wurth also seem to put the 3D model on Mechanical Layer 1, which should usually be the board outline. I generally have to edit them to change this to Mechanical Layer 13.