Which warnings to worry about?

Layout
1

I’ve got quite a lot of warnings on my imported Eagle board, which ones do I need to worry about?

Warning: Silkscreen clipped by solder mask
Is this taken care of in the gerber files export? Or do I need to fix it?

Warning: Silkscreen clipped by board edge
Is this taken care of in the gerber files export? Or do I need to fix it?

Warning: Silkscreen overlap
If I’m happy for the overlap to occur, can I just leave this?

Thanks,
G

2

The answer to all 3 question: it depends. (yes, not so helpful).

Warning: Silkscreen clipped by solder mask

  • gerber export dialog offers a extra checkbox to delete soldermask layer from silkscreen output
  • some pcb-manufacturers offer to do this for you (so aks your manufacturer)
  • so you decide:
    • do it manually and move manually all silkcreen away from soldermask-areas
    • rely on gerber-export and use that checkbox
    • rely on pcb-manufacturer (this is my solution)

Warning: Silkscreen clipped by board edge

  • depends on pcb-manufacturer, but most manufacturers just ignore silkscreen outside from the board area
  • this means you are probably loosing some silkscreen information → you have to decide:
    • lost silkscreen printing (outside from board area) is important → correct the silkscreen position (and therefore remove the warning)
    • lost silkscreen printing (outside from board area) is not important → just ignore the DRC warning

Warning: Silkscreen overlap. If I’m happy for the overlap to occur, can I just leave this?

Yes. If you think you still can read the overlapping silkscreen, just leave it.
I personally have switched off this DRC-check (board setup–>Designrules–>Violation severity)

1 Like
3

I would advise against this, I have seen silkscreen on copper before.

It is generally best to try and fix these issues, if you can afford to change the design.

In any case you can always check the created gerber files for correctness and issues like that after export, it is advisable to do that anyway.