pcb bezel

How would pcb bezel apply to the problem? Also you mentioned maybe not using the 1.8mm and going up in LED size. Problem is it takes up board space but I will consider alternatives. Right now the board space is maximized with the 1.8mm

 

But why put a 0.1mm gap around the 1.8mm LED? And why not a friction fit? Sorry missed a beat.

Because not all 1.8mm LEDs are 1.8mm. They are plus/minus some manufacturing variance. You always use a slightly larger hole.

 

Because not all 1.8mm LEDs are 1.8mm. They are plus/minus some manufacturing variance. You always use a slightly larger hole.

That is very helpful. I've understood a rule of thumb for this elsewhere on the site: hole diam. in mm +.3mm. So 1.8mm+.3mm = 2.1mm. What do you think about that? Do you have a different process?

 

That is very helpful. I've understood a rule of thumb for this elsewhere on the site: hole diam. in mm +.3mm. So 1.8mm+.3mm = 2.1mm. What do you think about that? Do you have a different process?

The PCB design program I use (DipTrace) and the manufacturer I use (OshPark) have a set of drill sizes. I match up the two options and select the next largest common size to the hole desired.

Additionally, on the component datasheet, nominal dimensions are listed with s tolerance (±) value specified. I add the tolerance value to the nominal size and use that result to select the drill size per the preceding paragraph.

 

That is very helpful. I've understood a rule of thumb for this elsewhere on the site: hole diam. in mm +.3mm. So 1.8mm+.3mm = 2.1mm. What do you think about that? Do you have a different process?

There is no rule of thumb for mounting hole clearances.

After several dozen posts, how about explaining how you're trying to mount these LEDs.

Is it panel mount with wires to a board? Are they soldered to a board that's going to be mounted behind the panel? Something else? The more information you give, the more likely you're going to get a suggestion that will work to your satisfaction. If you continue to withhold important information, we're still playing a guessing game.

 

you can make the hole slightly bigger than 1.8mm, say around 2mm diameter. This will allow the LED to fit comfortably and make a good connection with the PCB.
By the way, if you're interested in making LED PCBs, you can take a look here: https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2022/03/introduction-to-led-pcb.html