Difference between revisions of "PCB DesignWorkshop"

Need for PCB.

Printed Circuit Boards are essential part of electronics; they provide a convenient way to rig up circuits and test them. Not only they ease prototyping they enhance reliability of the products. The bread boarding techniques do not quite work if the number of connects increase substantially. Hence even for Hobby users PCB design is becoming essential. Also with smaller packaging sizes for Integrated circuits it is almost impossible to prototype on Breadboard. PCB designing can be very joyful, and intricate. They say it is more of an art then science. Lots of scope for the designer. So Let's build a few of them.

Introduction to KICAD.

KiCAD is Open source and free software for schematic drawing, and PCB Layout. Commercial software of similar capability cost a good amount. It is not just about it, Open source allows more freedom, a rapid development and a chance to contribute to its development. We at Xplore Labz use it for most of our designs. We strive to make user friendly tutorials on KiCAD. Check this Basic Tutorial to get started. Workshops are extension of this endeavor to help you build hands ON!.

A simple example: Schematic entry to PCB layout.

In the first session of the workshop; we do a small PCB like a 4 led breakout, or a 555 timer etc, right from schematic to layout. This gives a complete flow on how to build a PCB with KiCAD. Following it we take up a advanced tutorial and do a hands on session with following topics in detail.

Schematic Entry in detail:

• Creating custom components.
• Importing standard libraries.
• Tools for creating components.

Generating Net list from schematic:

• Annotation schemes.
• Matching schematic symbols to footprints.

Footprints:

• Component packages.
• Measurement units & standards.
• Library footprints.
• Importing footprints.
• Creating custom footprints.
• Tools for footprint generation.

Board layout:

• Importing Net list.
• Footprint layout & form factor.
• Layers of design.
• Single layer, multilayer designs.
• Manual routing
• Custom Tracks & vias.
• Track width calculation.
• Auto Routing
• Outline routing tools.
• Generating custom routes.

Gerber file generation:

• Finalizing the design.
• Gerber file format for different layers.
• Appending multiple boards.

PCB Fabrication:

• Quick Presentation on PCB fabrication
• Checking FAB requirements.

Sample Designs

Here are a few sample designs which we do at our workshops, the list is not exhaustive, we do hands on designs at the workshops depending on the intended audience and their interest! Hover over the images to preview! <hovergallery> File:SevenSegment.PNG File:MQSensor.PNG File:Led_Array.PNG File:Avr_mini_v1.PNG File:AVR_ROBO.PNG File:Bluetooth.PNG File:Mega gsm.PNG File:XploreUno.PNG </hovergallery>

Video Tutorials

It is not just the workshop, we continue our efforts to make high quality video tutorials. You can watch these tutorials later at home or office and improve your design skills. Our videos are listed on KiCADs Official website!

1. Basic Video for beginners.Cover the basics with a simple deisgn

2.Advanced video series of 10 videos, covering a slightly complex PCB from schematic to gerbers!

Downloads

• Xplore_Uno Design Files
• Sample Designs for Practice

Feedback on Workshop, suggestions or doubts

If you happen to attend the workshop, please comment below, we would like to know your experience of the workshop. If you've any other questions related to this workshop please post them below.