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Thomas Flummer

developer and engineer

Workshop:

KiCad workshop

This is an introductory workshop to KiCad and the steps needed to go from idea (or maybe a breadboard prototype) to a finished custom board. The workshop will have a little introductory information, but it will mostly be a hands on workshop, where each participant works on their own computer, initially following instructions, but later on exploring a bit more with help close by.

Required software

You will need to have KiCad 5.0 or newer installed on you machine. KiCad is available for all major operating systems.

For the second session, you will also need some sort of graphics editing software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape

Session plan

This workshop is scheduled for 4 evenings, each being about 3 hours with a few smaller breaks packed in. The sessions are scheduled to be no more than one session a week, so that participants can have a bit of time at home to play a bit between sessions.

1st session

  • Introduction to schematics editing and making a new schematics symbol
  • Brief mention of schematics simulation
  • Introduction to board layout and making a custom footprint
  • Brief introduction to 3D rendering

2nd session

  • Using PCB design tools for artwork
  • Bringing designs from graphics programs into KiCad

3rd session

  • Work on your own project

4th session

  • Finalize your own project
  • Export for manufacturing

A collection of relevant links you might find useful when starting out with KiCad.

KiCad Getting started Tutorial This goes into a bit more details, and can eg. be used if you want to go through things in your own pace.

KiCad 5.0 playlist by Chris Gammell from Contextual Electronics It’s a series of shorter videos, usually on a single topic, many with nice tips and tricks.

KiCad playlist by DigiKey A series of videos, looking into different aspects of KiCad. There is a general introduction using KiCad 4 and a bunch of videos with changes to KiCad 5.

Board manufacturing houses

There are a lot of places that can manufacture your design for you, and generally the prices are pretty low, though it varies primarily on where and on how fast you need your finished board. All the places below are places I have used and am happy with. I have tried to put a few comments for each of them. The reason DHL is listed below is because that seems to be the cheapest express shipping option for all of the companies in China.

OSH Park Awesome for small boards, especially if you only need very few. Quality is very good! They offer either purple soldermask or clear mask on black substrate in addition to flex PCBs and always ENIG gold finish. Made in and ships from USA. OSHPark do NOT put a manufacturing ID on your board. Standard shipping is around 10 days to Denmark.

Aisler Similar to OSH Park, but based in Germany. Their boards uses light green solder mask (sometimes matte, sometimes glossy) and ENIG gold finish or HASL for quick service. Aisler do NOT put a manufacturing ID on your board. Standard shipping is around 4-5 days to Denmark.

AllPCB Based in China, very fast 24 hour production for prototype orders (less than 2 square meters) and has DHL shipping as default. Currently the place with the most color and material choises in their online ordering form. They also offer assembly service. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.

DirtyPCBs Also based in China, but this is a broker, that have deals with different board houses. For 2 layer boards, you can combine multiple designs on a panel, without paying extra. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.

PCBWay I have only used PCBWay in combination with assembly, where they also put components on the boards. Worked very well, and was competitively priced when doing medium volume (300 pcs). They are also based in China. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.

SeeedStudio Fusion When it comes to manufacturing SeeedStudio has a very nice quoting platform and gives you an exact quote including assembly, and if you use only parts from their OPL, you save a bit on the assembly and they can make it quicker, since they have the parts in stock. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.

Elecrow I have only used Elecrow a few times, but they seem to have a slightly better detail, expecially in the silkscreen and they don’t put on a manufacturing ID on your boards. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.

JLC PCB Based in China with pretty low prices and don’t charge extra for eg. matte black soldermask and you can tell them where to put the manufacturing ID. Same company as behind the LCSC component store and JLC also started doing assembly. DHL shipping is about 2-3 days to Denmark.