KiCad

Notes

Tutorial here

General workflow:

• Draw Schematic
  • Create symbols if needed
• Assign Footprints to symbols
  • Create new footprints if needed
• File → Schematic Setup…​ → Electrical Rules → Violation Severity
• Tools → Update PCB from Schematic…​
• Design PCB
• Inspect → Design Rules Checker
• 3D View to check

Schematic Capture

Shortcut keys:

• M : Move
• R : Rotate
• G : Drag
• P : Add power
• L : Add net label (wires with same label are implicitly connected)

Options:

• Use PWR_FLAG if necessary.
• Use netclasses to define specific design rules for different connections (eg widths for Pwr or Data).

Common Symbols:

• Connector_GenericConn_...

PCB Layout

Shortcut keys:

• M : Move
• R : Rotate
• F : Flip to other side of board
• V : Add a via
• SHIFT-SPACE : toggle to 45 deg mode

Layers:

• Edge.Cuts : Outline of board and cutouts
• F.Cu / B.Cu : Copper traces
• F.Silkscreen / B.Silkscreen : Component outlines and text
• F.Mask / B.Mask : Solder mask
• F.Fab / B.Fab : Fabrication notes, including an outline of components
• F.Paste / B.Paste : Solder paste for SMD components
• F.Adhesive / B.Adhesive : Glue for SMT components

Common footprints to use:

• Connector_Molex:Molex_KK-254_AE-6410-02A_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical
• JST ?
• Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.50mm
• Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mm
• Capacitor_THT:C_Rect_L7.0mm_W2.0mm_P5.00mm
• Capacitor_THT:C_Rect_L11.0mm_W4.2mm_P10.00mm_MKT
• Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P2.54mm_Vertical
• Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0411_L9.9mm_D3.6mm_P12.70mm_Horizontal
• Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-18-3

Design of a new footprint:

• Exact part outline drawn on the F.Fab layer
• A slightly larger outline on the F.Silkscreen layer
• A courtyard on the F.Courtyard layer surrounding the entire footprint to prevent overlaps with other footprints
• Remember to consider the correct hole diameters for pins

When adding text to a silkscreen, variable subsitution is available, eg:

• ${TITLE}
• ${REVISION}

Add fill zones for groundplanes, etc, bases on net labels:

• "Add a filled zone" button -> define a closed shape
• Edit → Fill All Zones"
• These have to be manually updated when components are moved

Export

For PCB (in PCB editor):

• In new directory, eg "Fabricaton":
  • File > Fabrication Outputs > Export Gerbers (.gbr)
  • File > Fabrication Outputs > Drill Files (.drl)
  • Zip up the exported files and send to fabrication house.

For components (in schematic editor):

• Components should have a "LCSC" field containing the JLCPCB/LCSC part number (eg C15525)
• Tools > Generate Bill of Materials
• File > Fabrication Outputs > Component Placement (.pos)

An easier way (and provide additional checks) is to install the JLCPCB Fabrication Toolkit:

• From Project Manager, Tools > Plugin and Content Manager
• Find "Fabrication Toolkit" and install
• Restart PCB Editor, for new Fabrication Toolkit icon (Tools > External Plugins > Fabrication Toolkit)
• A zip file will be created inside "production" folder