When coming to components like LEDs, resistors, capacitors e.t.c there are throngs of manufacturers and suppliers that provide parts that are very similar from PCB design perspective i.e the schematic symbol and footprint. What approach then does one take when designing parts libraries?
Lets take an example, lets say I have a 0805 SMD resistor. Its schematic symbol will be the same regardless of the actual resistor resistance value. There are throngs of manufacturers that manufacture this type of resistor and the physical dimensions of the part and the pad to solder it onto, are going to be almost identical or be so similar that a single footprint can be used for all the parts regardless of who manufactures it.
Now from library design perspective, do we create a different schematic symbol for each manufacturer part number which can change based on the value of resistance and then also create a whole lot of foot prints to match the dimensions of every single manufacturer, or take a simpler approach? If so, what is the simpler approach going to be?
Here are some LEDs that I need to put into my Altium library for the project. They are all in 1206 package. How do I go about creating the library for these?
inolux
- LED AMBER CLEAR 1206 SMD (IN-S126ATA)
- LED GREEN CLEAR 1206 SMD (IN-S126ATG)
- LED RED CLEAR 1206 SMD (IN-S126ATR)
visual-communications-company-vcc
- LED GREEN DIFFUSED 1206 SMD (CMD15-21VGD-TR8)
- LED RED CLEAR 1206 SMD (CMD11-21VRC-TR8)
- LED YELLOW DIFFUSED 1206 SMD (CMD15-21VYD-TR8)
lumex-opto-components-inc
bivar-inc
This question is specific about Altium but it is general enough to be applicable to any PCB CAD program.
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