[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
I think, using 2 layer layout with via's is the best way for my single layer layout PCB. Thank you all for your help. :-) LG Boris
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
Thanks for the information Carl. Unfortunately, my "one off" boards are usually non-commercial prototypes, either for my own use as a hobbyist or for publication in hobby electronics magazines. I have to pay for them myself and cannot sell them on so spending anything more than the cost of photo sensitive blanks and some chemicals is out of the question. Besides, I'm in the UK and the four day turn around is irrelevant when the postal service hold imported packages for up to a week while they check for terrorist devices - and then charge an extra $10 for releasing it to the addressee! Brian. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "daystar1013" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Brian, > I have found a PCB house that specializes in one of a kind PCB, its > an all notouch/online process. The price for a single two sided board > ( I have made boards up to 8.5 X 4 inches) is under $100 USA. Three > boards are still under $100. > You register online and then you can submit your gerber files and > drill files for automatic file verification in a standard zip file. > You associate layers with files in a web form and then verify the > hole count/size for plated through holes and wait for verification. > All you need to do then is give them a credit card number and in four > working days your board(s) will ship. > The link is http://www.protoexpress.com > Kicad files go through the verification process easily with two > exceptions, make sure your board edge is 0.010" and DO NOT mirror > your drill file. When you create the NC drill file the default option > is to mirror the Y axis, Proto express expects all the files to be > non-mirrored. > I have made six boards here and everyone worked as designed out of > the box. > > Carl > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" wrote: > > > > I face the same problem. I often make "one off" PCBs which would be > > uneconomical to sent to a fab house. Adding Zero ohm resistors is > an > > option but as mentioned, you have to add them to the schematic and > > sometimes remove them as well while working on a PCB layout. > > > > There is also the problem of needing many different footprint > lengths > > between pads for the different link lengths. > > > > I've done it in the past by making a double sided design with the > > links on one side and the tracks on the other but it causes > problems > > with via holes and pads for the links to connect to. > > > > Perhaps an option to drop pads instead of vias could be added. That > > way the double sided method could still be used and the netlist > would > > be correct but a pad to solder the link to would be present. > > > > Brian. > > > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > > wrote: > > > > > > Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. > > > It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something > else > > > and have no trouble by ERC check. > > > > > > LG > > > > > > Bo > > > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "KeepItSimpleStupid" > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper > > Jumper x. > > > > e.g. J1? > > > > > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hello. > > > > > > > > > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. > So > > i must > > > > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > > > > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > > > > connection for bridges. > > > > > > > > > > I hope anybody can help. > > > > > > > > > > Thank You, > > > > > > > > > > Boris > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
In pcbnew, click the add modules button and add the module 1PIN. Then right click on the pad and select pad/edit pad. Here you can assign the pad to a net and adjust the size as needed. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "ahuitzot" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > wrote: > > > > Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. > > It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something else > > and have no trouble by ERC check. > > > > LG > > > > Bo > > > > In the same vein is it possible to put arbitrary VIAs on the boards? > I need them for connecting thermal pads through layers. In Eagle, I > would just add VIAs to the board and assign them to the appropriate > net. It seems that this is not possible in Kicad. The ability to add > arbitrary vias (without routing traces) would solve both of these > issues at once. Maybe merging the module editor and the PCB editor > would facilitate this? Reason being, the module editor allows you to > add pads, and the PCB editor does not... > > Combing pcbnew with the module editor may also allow one to create > small 'pcb modules' where you have a common design (say a switching > power supply) that you could put in a module, and 'stamp' it on each > board you need one on, already pre-done. On the schematic it would > show up like a hierarchical sheet... Ahh yes, lets bring modular > design to PCB design! :) > > The same would have to be done with the library editor and eeschema to > get that to work of course... > > I don't know anything about the internals of kicad, nor am I a C++ > programmer, else I would volunteer to do it myself. > > I think this is a feature that would bring quite a few people over to > the platform. It would definitely save time for people. I know it > would for me, as I always have at least one small switching PSU on all > my designs, and avoiding having to redo it every time (or cut and > paste it and reannotate everything) would save quite a bit of time. > > Any possibility of this being a feature in the future? (the VIA thing, > sorry about getting off on a tangent!) > > Thanks, > Mike >
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
Brian, I have found a PCB house that specializes in one of a kind PCB, its an all notouch/online process. The price for a single two sided board ( I have made boards up to 8.5 X 4 inches) is under $100 USA. Three boards are still under $100. You register online and then you can submit your gerber files and drill files for automatic file verification in a standard zip file. You associate layers with files in a web form and then verify the hole count/size for plated through holes and wait for verification. All you need to do then is give them a credit card number and in four working days your board(s) will ship. The link is http://www.protoexpress.com Kicad files go through the verification process easily with two exceptions, make sure your board edge is 0.010" and DO NOT mirror your drill file. When you create the NC drill file the default option is to mirror the Y axis, Proto express expects all the files to be non-mirrored. I have made six boards here and everyone worked as designed out of the box. Carl --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I face the same problem. I often make "one off" PCBs which would be > uneconomical to sent to a fab house. Adding Zero ohm resistors is an > option but as mentioned, you have to add them to the schematic and > sometimes remove them as well while working on a PCB layout. > > There is also the problem of needing many different footprint lengths > between pads for the different link lengths. > > I've done it in the past by making a double sided design with the > links on one side and the tracks on the other but it causes problems > with via holes and pads for the links to connect to. > > Perhaps an option to drop pads instead of vias could be added. That > way the double sided method could still be used and the netlist would > be correct but a pad to solder the link to would be present. > > Brian. > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > wrote: > > > > Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. > > It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something else > > and have no trouble by ERC check. > > > > LG > > > > Bo > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "KeepItSimpleStupid" > > wrote: > > > > > > Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper > Jumper x. > > > e.g. J1? > > > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Hello. > > > > > > > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So > i must > > > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > > > connection for bridges. > > > > > > > > I hope anybody can help. > > > > > > > > Thank You, > > > > > > > > Boris > > > > > > > > > >
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
--- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. > It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something else > and have no trouble by ERC check. > > LG > > Bo > In the same vein is it possible to put arbitrary VIAs on the boards? I need them for connecting thermal pads through layers. In Eagle, I would just add VIAs to the board and assign them to the appropriate net. It seems that this is not possible in Kicad. The ability to add arbitrary vias (without routing traces) would solve both of these issues at once. Maybe merging the module editor and the PCB editor would facilitate this? Reason being, the module editor allows you to add pads, and the PCB editor does not... Combing pcbnew with the module editor may also allow one to create small 'pcb modules' where you have a common design (say a switching power supply) that you could put in a module, and 'stamp' it on each board you need one on, already pre-done. On the schematic it would show up like a hierarchical sheet... Ahh yes, lets bring modular design to PCB design! :) The same would have to be done with the library editor and eeschema to get that to work of course... I don't know anything about the internals of kicad, nor am I a C++ programmer, else I would volunteer to do it myself. I think this is a feature that would bring quite a few people over to the platform. It would definitely save time for people. I know it would for me, as I always have at least one small switching PSU on all my designs, and avoiding having to redo it every time (or cut and paste it and reannotate everything) would save quite a bit of time. Any possibility of this being a feature in the future? (the VIA thing, sorry about getting off on a tangent!) Thanks, Mike
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
It may be a little silly at first, but put the jumpers into your schematic (which documents them too), then define the jumper footprint as two thru holes. I'm not sure but you might be able to use the same module for all the jumpers of different lenght (if you can edit the pad spacings). --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "KeepItSimpleStupid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper Jumper x. > e.g. J1? > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > wrote: > > > > Hello. > > > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > connection for bridges. > > > > I hope anybody can help. > > > > Thank You, > > > > Boris > > >
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
I face the same problem. I often make "one off" PCBs which would be uneconomical to sent to a fab house. Adding Zero ohm resistors is an option but as mentioned, you have to add them to the schematic and sometimes remove them as well while working on a PCB layout. There is also the problem of needing many different footprint lengths between pads for the different link lengths. I've done it in the past by making a double sided design with the links on one side and the tracks on the other but it causes problems with via holes and pads for the links to connect to. Perhaps an option to drop pads instead of vias could be added. That way the double sided method could still be used and the netlist would be correct but a pad to solder the link to would be present. Brian. --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. > It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something else > and have no trouble by ERC check. > > LG > > Bo > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "KeepItSimpleStupid" > wrote: > > > > Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper Jumper x. > > e.g. J1? > > > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > > wrote: > > > > > > Hello. > > > > > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > > connection for bridges. > > > > > > I hope anybody can help. > > > > > > Thank You, > > > > > > Boris > > > > > >
Re: [kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
On Monday 17 December 2007 13:09:49 axtz4 wrote: > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > wrote: > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > connection for bridges. > > Just make a track on the component side using the normal method, which > will create a via for you. The size of a via can be adjusted using the > Dimensions | Tracks and Vias menu item, and it can be made large > enough to give a good pad size for soldering the jumper wires. > > There are some limitations to this, since jumpers made with insulated > wire can cross whereas real track can not. Why so much fuzz about this? Just make the single layer PCB as a normal two layer but use the component side layer as your jumpers. Dan, M0DFI
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
--- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > make manually bridges on component side. > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > connection for bridges. Just make a track on the component side using the normal method, which will create a via for you. The size of a via can be adjusted using the Dimensions | Tracks and Vias menu item, and it can be made large enough to give a good pad size for soldering the jumper wires. There are some limitations to this, since jumpers made with insulated wire can cross whereas real track can not.
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
Yes, sure ... but, so i must change my schematic. It isn't possible to change the layer, place a pad or something else and have no trouble by ERC check. LG Bo --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "KeepItSimpleStupid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper Jumper x. > e.g. J1? > > --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" > wrote: > > > > Hello. > > > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > > make manually bridges on component side. > > > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > > connection for bridges. > > > > I hope anybody can help. > > > > Thank You, > > > > Boris > > >
[kicad-users] Re: Single layer PCB ... bridges on top layer
Will 0 ohm resistors work? or Components Like Jx for Jumper Jumper x. e.g. J1? --- In kicad-users@yahoogroups.com, "newskyperhh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hello. > > I want to make a single layer PCB with only one copper site. So i must > make manually bridges on component side. > > But I can't make any pad's or continuous bonding / interlayer > connection for bridges. > > I hope anybody can help. > > Thank You, > > Boris >
