diff --git a/building.md b/building.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e271c3f --- /dev/null +++ b/building.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +# Building PCBs + +In order to get PCBs made, you usually need to provide them with the following files; + +- Gerbers +- Drill Files + +Additionally if you want to have a shop assemble the boards for you, you’ll also need to provide; + +- Bill of Materials (BOM) +- Centroid file (XY) + +### Generating Gerbers and Drill Files + +Gerbers are a set of files in a standard format that allow a PCB manufacturer to build the PCB. Usually there is one gerber file for each layer of a PCB. A Gerber file can represent a wide variety of different layer types; + +- Copper layer +- Silkscreen Layer +- Soldermask layer +- Board outline +- Drills (Okay, this is actually not a gerber, but your PCB house will definitely need it) + +Any* PCB CAD software will allow you to generate gerbers. We use [KiCad](https://www.kicad.org) because it is open source, free, and *awesome*. Here is how to generate gerbers in KiCad v6; + +1. Open up the design in KiCad and switch to the PCB board editor view (ie not the schematic). Some people call this pcbnew. +2. Choose File → Fabrication Outputs → Gerbers (.gbr)… +3. Pick the right options for what your PCB board house expects. Here is what I use; + +![Gerber Plot Window](doc/gerbers.png) + +Make sure you have these “Include Layers” checked; + +- **F.Cu** → Front copper +- **In1.Cu** → Inner layer 1 Copper +- **In2.Cu** → Inner layer 2 Copper +- **B.Cu** → Back copper +- **F.Paste** → Front Paste. Note: this is used to make a solder paste stencil. This is optional. Many PCB houses will let you order stencils as a separate step. use these gerbers for ordering a stencil +- **B.Paste** → Back paste. see note above +- **F.Silkscreen** → Front Silkscreen. sometimes this is called the Legend +- **B.Silkscreen** → Back Silkscreen. sometimes this is called the Legend of Zelda +- **F.Mask** → Front soldermask +- **B.Mask** → Back soldermask +- **Edge.Cuts** → The board outline. This defines the shape the PCB is cut to. + +1. Next you’ll want to generate the drill files. Click that button in the lower right corner of the “Plot” screen from above. +2. Generate the drill files according to your PCB house specs. Here are the options I use; + +![Drill Files Window](doc/drill.png) + +That’s it! Take all of those generated files and give them to your PCB house. If you’re ordering stencils (which you should!), pull out `-F_Paste.gbr` and `-B_Paste.gbr` and send those to the right place. Paste gerbers are not needed to manufacture a PCB. + +### Generating PCBA Manufacturing files + +- TBD diff --git a/doc/drill.png b/doc/drill.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6ed46a5 Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/drill.png differ diff --git a/doc/gerbers.png b/doc/gerbers.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bffd623 Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/gerbers.png differ