KiCad

Notes on Running KiCad

Some misc. stuff

Custom BOM Python Script (KiCad 6)

• Create a BOM that requires minimal manual editing to use on MediaWiki webpage
• Adds Datasheet path to Description
• Creates BOM .csv file in the folder where the schematic is located

Source Code

• LandBoardsBOM.py - our BOM script that runs from "Generate Bill of Materials..." in KiCad Schematic Editor
  • Based on com_csv_grouped_by_value.py that comes in KiCad 6
  • Also requires files from the KiCad installation (get latest from the KiCad installation folder)
    • kicad_netlist_reader.py
    • kicad_utils.py
• Put the 3 scripts into folder in KiCad projects pyScripts folder

Running

• Add links to schematic parts

• Run BOM tool inside schematic

• Add link to script in KiCad

• Click Generate

Post-Processing

• Edit in spreadsheet program
• Use pyCSVtoMWTable to create MediaWiki format output

Panelizing

• How to panelize KiCAD designs for free
  • GerberPanelizer
  • GerberTools

GerberPanelizer Steps in KiCad 6

• Much easier to use Panel by JLCPCB
  • Boards nicely V-Cut/scored

• Make card
• Run/resolve all DRCs in PCB
• Set Place > Grid Origin to upper left corner of board
• Gerbers
  • Use auxiliary axis as origin
  • Protel extensions

• Save Drill file

• Rename EdgeCuts .gm1 file to .gko
• Run GerberPanelizer
• File > New
• Select board placement → add gerber folder
  • File browser is painful (can't easily browse)
    • Library > Documents > GitHub > land-boards > lb-boards > folder_with_gerbers
• Board Placement > Autopack: Naive
• Select Board instance in upper right box

• Right click, Add instance
  • Repeat for all boards
• Board Placement > Autopack: Naive
• Breaktabs < Insert Breaktab

• If not visible, change numbers to 10, 10

• Manually move to spot
• Repeat until cards are all green

• file → save as to panel folder
• file → export merged file
  • Painful browser to planelized folder
• Make zip

• Ordering on jlcpcb
  • Upload file
• Select qty, color
• Select panel by customer
• Enter array dimensions
• Ignore error?
• Not cost goes from $5 to $12.30 for qty 10

JLCPCB Lot Number

• The location of the JLCPCB Lot Number can be manually placed
• You can indicate this location by adding the text of " JLCJLCJLCJLC" to silk layer, and select the "Specify a location" option when you place an order. If this option hasn't been chosen, we may not notice you've added the text.

Note: Just "JLCJLCJLCJLC", No more or less characters. The font size should be larger than 0.8mm in height and 0.15 mm in width.

• If you choose Panel by JLCPCB option when you place your order, then we will add the order number on the tooling strip by default, so there is no serial number on your product PCB.

SPICE Simulation

• Tutorial: ngspice simulation in KiCad/Eeschema

Create Footprints Using FreeCAD

• Our very simple example

"Standard" Footprints

• KiCad footprints can be a pain so this documents the footprints we commonly use

1/8 W resistor footprint

• Part on PCB

• KiCad v6 footprint

Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0204_L3.6mm_D1.6mm_P7.62mm_Horizontal

• Also fits 1/4W resistors with leads bent straight down

1/4 W resistor footprint

• Part on PCB

• KiCad v6 footprint

Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal

Cap, 0.2" pitch

• Part on PCB

• KiCad v6 footprint

Capacitor_THT:C_Rect_L7.0mm_W3.5mm_P5.00mm

ZIF Socket

• Big rectangular pins
• Too big for "standard" DIP holes
• A lot of pushing can get the socket
• Squeezable pins vertically

D-Sub Connectors

DB-25F

• D25S33E4PA00LF - DB-25F
  • Datasheet

• 3D part
  • ${KICAD6_3DMODEL_DIR}/Connector_Dsub.3dshapes/DSUB-25_Female_Horizontal_P2.77x2.84mm_EdgePinOffset7.70mm_Housed_MountingHolesOffset9.12mm.wrl

• PCB Footprint
  • LandBoards_Conns:DB25FC_Oval_Pads

Board Design Templates

• KiCad Templates for
  • BeagleBone Black Capes
  • ODAS 49mm Cards
  • ODAS 95mm Cards
  • Raspberry Pi Plus Hats
• Templates Repository
  • ZIP files of each template inside each folder

BeagleBone Black Cape Template

• BeagleBone Black Cape Template Repository

ODAS 49mm Card Template

• ODAS 49mm Card Template Repository

ODAS 95mm Card Template

• ODAS 95mm Card Template Repository

Raspberry Pi Plus Hat Template

• Raspberry Pi Plus Hat Template Repository