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

• 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

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

Board Design Templates

• KiCad Templates for
  • BeagleBone Black Capes
  • ODAS 49mm Cards
  • ODAS 95mm Cards
  • Raspberry Pi Plus Hats