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

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

BBB Template Color CAD.PNG

ODAS 49mm Card Template

ODAS 49mm color CAD.PNG

ODAS 95mm Card Template

ODAS 95mm Color CAD.PNG

Raspberry Pi Plus Hat Template

Raspberry Pi MECHS.PNG