How to create a footprint using RF shield clips?

[vvvverre]

Hi all,

I’d like to put some RF Shields onto my PCB using shield clips such as these:
Harwin Shield Can Clips (PDF)

To make sure the RF shield will fit I need to place the clips (4-6 clips per can) at specific distances from each other.
Is there a good way to do this? I have tried a couple of things, if anyone could help me with those methods or a different approach altogether that’d be greatly appreciated.

I started by simply drawing the footprint for the clips at the right distances in the footprint editor.
Then I realised that this might cause issues with manufacturing: the footprint would only show up once in the BOM, event though there are multiple clips required. Similarly I am not sure if this would work with automated pick-and-place machines?

I also thought about including the right number of clips in the schematic as individual components and then arranging them correctly in the PCB layout editor. I was hoping to group them together so that their relative positions would stay locked. That way if I move them around, I can be sure they’ll still fit. Unfortunately I could find any way of doing this either.

At the moment the only approach appears to be to place the clips manually and make sure they stay at the correct relative positions. This is not ideal because it seems like it would be quite easy to accidentally move one of the clips relative to the others.

Does anyone have any better suggestions?

Many thanks in advance!

[SembazuruCDE]

I have a thought, but it might be more of a kludge…

Create two footprints. One that has the exact placement i copper (and solder mask) of all the clips for one can. And, the other just artwork and reference designator for an individual clip. In the schematic assign the can lid (so it shows in your BOM) the footprint with the copper layout. And for each individual clip the part number for the clip and the artwork only footprint. Then if you forget to move only 1 clip when moving the can then it is just an artwork/documentation error, not an incorrectly fabricated board.

Note, if you design the can area footprint with a courtyard and check courtyards in DRC you will get violations for all parts that need to be under the can…

(This would be so much easier if the lid and all required clips could be ordered as a single SKU.)

[davidsrsb]

I am surprised that smd clips are aligned accurately enough for the can to fit

[fred4u]

But do they need to be located in a fixed positions, relative to the RF shield itself? I would draw the shield’s outline, and then locate the clips on the circumfence of the shield in locations that do not collide with tracks/components. It should be enough to have them lined with the edges of the shield cap.