Blog Entry

PCB design workflow

Printed Circuit Board design workflow. Here working with KiCAD.

  1. Create schematic.
    1. Add components.
    2. Add connections.
    3. Label connections.
  2. Annotate all component automatically with "Schematic Annotation".
  3. Check that all connections are correct and vaild with "Test ERC".
    1. Fix errors, if any.
    2. Repeate ERC until no errors are found.
  4. Generate net list with "Netlist generation".
  5. Link footprints to components with "Cvpcb".
  6. Save Netlist again.
  7. Save project with "files" -> "Save Project".
  8. Create "Bill of materials".
  9. Start PCB design by running "Pcbnew".
  10. Set "Dimensions" -> "Tracks and Vias" to match capabilities of PCB board-making machine.
  11. "Read Netlist" in.
  12. Distribute components and show ratsnest.
  13. Add tracks and vias (manually or automatically).
  14. Add zones.
  15. Check design by running the "Pcb Design Rules Check".
    1. "Test DRC".
    2. "List Unconn".
  16. Save.
  17. Export GERBER file!

Posted on:
2009.07.28 -0500

Tags:
code