The patent application for a the rabbitflex stuff is 20060195804, filed September 21, 2005, Assignee Digi International Inc. As an aside, I doubt the patent covers what you're trying to do. Just wanted to give it as an example of other's doing what you're doing, but on a much larger and more build-to-order way. I made a PDF out of the patent application so you don't have to wade through TIFs and other inconvenient web interface issues. http://ubasics.com/patapp20060195804.pdf -Adam On 6/8/07, M. Adam Davis wrote: > Provide the correct bill of materials for a given configuration for a > given build, with component locations and rotation, and they will > assemble it appropriately. > > They might care a little bit if the pads are too big or small, as > inappropriately sized pads may lead to poor solder joints, but if you > follow their Design For Manufacturing (DFM) rules then there shouldn't > be an issue. > > The RabbitFLEX product > http://www.rabbitsemiconductor.com/products/RabbitFLEX/largeView.shtml > is very interesting in this respect - if you get a chance to see one > up close, do so. Each I/O is individually configurable by the end > user during the ordering process, and based on what is chosen > different components are installed in small cells. A given pad may > accept one end of a resistor in one orientation, a transistor in > another orientation, etc. I'm sure they've got a patent on some > aspects of this that shows this close up with placement examples, but > I can't find it at the moment. > > At any rate, your assembly house should not even blink at it. Just > make sure your BOM is correct. > > -Adam > > On 6/8/07, PicDude wrote: > > Hey all, > > > > Optimizing a really tight circuit and being able to drop even one 0805 would > > be a noticeable relief. The board is setup for various configurations > > (circuit variations). In one part of the circuit, one configuration requires > > a SOT-23 voltage reference (such as LM4040) and another configuration > > requires an 0805 resistor. But never both. Actually, pins 2 and 3 of the > > SOT-23 (the two pins that are on the same side of the SOT-23 package) are the > > same signals that are on both ends of the 0805 resistor, and I can actually > > fit the 0805 on the SOT-23 pin 2 and pin 3 pads. Great, I can drop the 0805! > > > > But how do I handle this when I pass the board to a CM? Will they willingly > > accept this placement, or throw it back as non-standard? What if I overlap > > these two components on the board layout? Ignoring layout-software > > warnings/errors, is this acceptable practice? Final option is to create a > > special component that I define are being able to hold an SOT-23 or 0805, but > > not sure if this is enough to appease the board houses. > > > > Cheers, > > -Neil. > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > > View/change your membership options at > > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > > > > -- > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ > > Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com > > Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ > -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist