KiCad

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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)
  • Put the 3 scripts into folder in KiCad projects pyScripts folder

Running

  • Add links to schematic parts

KiCad BOM DatasheetLinks.png

  • Run BOM tool inside schematic

KiCad BOM Icon.PNG

  • Add link to script in KiCad

KiCad BOM Select.PNG

  • Click Generate

Post-Processing

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

Panelizing

GerberPanelizer Steps in KiCad 6

  • 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

Panelize Gerber.PNG

  • Save Drill file

Panelize Drill.PNG

  • 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

Panelize Select Board Instance.PNG

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

Panelize Breaktabs Offset.PNG

  • If not visible, change numbers to 10, 10

Panelize Breaktabs 10-10.PNG

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

Panelize Breaktabs AllGreen.PNG

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

Panelize Breaktabs FinalZIP.PNG

  • 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

Panelize Order jlcpcb.PNG

SPICE Simulation

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

Resistor EighthWatt Footprint.PNG

  • 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

Res 8th Qrtr W P18205.JPG

1/4 W resistor footprint

  • Part on PCB

Resistor QuarterWatt CCA.PNG

  • KiCad v6 footprint
Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal

Cap, 0.2" pitch

  • Part on PCB

Cap 200millPitch.PNG

  • KiCad v6 footprint
Capacitor_THT:C_Rect_L7.0mm_W3.5mm_P5.00mm