S1E12 Chatshaala with electronics gadgets | PCB Layout using KiCAD

Ashish_Pardeshi · June 21, 2020, 5:01am

Links to recordings: here
Here is the room link to join: chaatshala
Timings: Mo-Fr 11:00AM to 12:30PM

Today we explored the followings:

KiCAD : The Open Source software for designing Schematic and PCB Layout.

Designed PCB Layout of simple power supply in PCB Layout Editor of KiCAD.

Open PCB Layout Editor
Update PCB from Schematic
Load Netlist
Placing Components on top layer
Routing bottom layer
Darwing Edge for dimension
Adding text to the PCB silkscreen
Viewing 3D model for the PCB

[center]

[/center]

You can also post your question and discuss in this thread.

Happy Exploring!

jtd · June 21, 2020, 3:06pm

Some 3d models of components are not visible above. Probably some libraries not installed, or the foot prints used did not have a 3d model.

Here is my pcb 3d view. My connector does not have a 3d model, hence it is rendered only as a silk screen foot print.

jtd · June 21, 2020, 3:10pm

With Kicad one can view the 3d in realtime as one places components. This is very useful if one has a cad design for housing. We can add the housing as a custom part and place the PCB inside, then move components in realtime.

sandysat · June 22, 2020, 5:24am

I could not log back in, once I logged out during the session.

Nevertheless, watched the recording later on. Ashish showed a ‘handmade’ PCB. Thanks Ashish!

sandysat · June 22, 2020, 5:26am

Saw that the traces have to be hand-routed in KiCAD, Does KiCAD provide autorouting, the way Eagle does?

jtd · July 4, 2020, 6:00am

Kicad does not have autorouter. But it has a push and shove router. IE it will move existing tracks, adhering to your set design rules, as you try to add a track. If it cannot move traces it will find a new shortest path. If it cannot do either it will lay a track upto the point it can and then stop.