How can I add slotted pads?

How can I add slots?

Adding a slot to a pad is a simple step in Engineer as we shall now illustrate.

First, create your component in the Library Manager using standard through-hole pads with the copper shape and area of the pad as required with a normal hole of the required width of the slot.

Or to save time, I downloaded the component from SnapMagic which also has the slot outline shown.

If you have Engineer open just used the SnapMagic Component Search to load it straight into the library and then select the footprint to edit.

Select a pad and examine the pad style in Properties.

Launch the Design Technology <Shift>+T and locate and select the pad and click <Edit>

In the window that opens, change the 'hole' shape as required for the slot. You can now set the length and can edit the original hole size used for the width.

In this example, we have used the dimension provided in the datasheet, in practice check the component tab dimensions for their tollerances for ease of component insertion.

Close the above window and the Design Technology entry is updated showing the hole is now a slot.

For this example, we repeat the steps for the other slotted pad and click <Apply> to see the footprint updated. Close the Design Technology, save your new PCB footprint and save the component using this footprint.

All is now complete and you can use this component in your PCB design.

Summary.

The process is to edit the hole 'Shape' in the Design Technology for a particular pad.

The hole shape will typically be an "Oval" and the length and width match the required slot.

This pad is then used in the footprint of the component and the component is used the same as any other component in your design.