Hi,
I am new on the KiCAD list but I wrote all the code for Advanced Assembly (aapcb.com) so I know pick and place data real well. Here are some ideas on what you really need from KiCAD, IM/HO 1. If you can supply a rotation that's nice but they will never match machine rotations It took a lot of code to adjust for different CAD tools. Some spin CW others CCW and this will vary on top vs bottom. 2. Supply Digikey numbers if possible. If there is a question about the part size and shape (we call that the "Package") then the assembly folks can look it up and not waste time playing phone tag with you. 3. A Good BOM in machine readable form. Spread sheets are ok but people type stuff into the cells and they create errors. I have seen notes about parts in the cell with the refDes. How can code read refdes from fields with text notes in the field. 4. Use consistent footprint names that have some info about the part. I even see some files where the users has "ReTyped" the footprint names. That is a disaster since we process rotations based on footprint names. Re-naming then messes up this tracking logic. 5. Put all parts in the BOM. All Parts, even if they are not stuffed. People do us a "Favor" and leave the no stuffs off the BOM. When the job hits inspection we don't know if it was a dropped part or a no stuff. Give the complete BOM and then provide a list of RefDes to not stuff. 6. Keep RefDes simple. RN101 C23 are ok. +5V and J27_A are NOT ok. Remember allthis text gets feed down into automated equipment with their own syntax requirements. A lot of sorting is required. Keep It Simple. 7. Be sure there is some small mark in the gerbers at the 0,0 component reference point. Have some text in the silk or copper that identifies this point. 8. Use something like a 1mm RND for fiducial points and make sure the solder mask is backed off by 1mm. Getting mask near the fiducial makes it visually difficult to align with. 9. Use a DIAMOND (square rotated by 45 degrees) as a fiducial, those are best. Bob Kondner _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mark Webster Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 9:31 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [kicad-users] Pick & Place Data Hello, A quick question, does anyone know if KiCAD can produce pick & place data? If so, what is the position based on? Is it the anchor point of the module? Thanks in advance. MarkW
