PCB DIY? Tutorial for Making Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

blog.gwlab.page

19 points·corychu··5 comments

For fast prototyping I’ve started using jlpcb.com and even moved from Eagle to their easyeda designer - having a library of components that are in stock, without having to find and verify the footprint makes it a thousand times easier, even if the design software is pretty basic.

I had noticed the interface between the easyeda and pick and place service of JLCPCB a bit bumpy, so I wrote this:

https://github.com/ayourtch/jlc-convert

Save the BoM and P&P files and then convert them using the above as a filter, save the stdout into new files and upload them at a step where it asks you for these two files. This makes the process from design to order quite seamless for me.

I also use this to fix some of the orientations that are apparently incorrect in their database.

Agreed, I found EasyEDA really convenient and easier for a beginner like me.

Some stuff not to forget

- Calculate your trace widths (based on heat/current requirements and copper weight - there are online calculators that do fine).

- USB data lines require controlled impedances, check your fab for a trace width calculator.

- Don't forget via sizes, the default in your CAD tool is probably too small

- Check your fab for their design rules instead of using rules of thumb

- 4 layer boards are cheap enough for hobbyists today, don't be afraid of them

I've summarized the overall procedure: circuit design, part selection, simulation, layout, export, soldering :)

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