Designing Printed Circuit boards, Software Choices, The Design Process
Download as PPTX, PDF0 likes174 views
The document outlines the essentials of designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), including key processes such as soldering, prototyping, and materials used. It also highlights various software options available for PCB design, ranging from beginner-friendly to professional-grade tools, along with their features. Additionally, it describes the design process, emphasizing the importance of schematic design and physical layout for effective PCB creation.
Designing Printed Circuit boards, Software Choices, The Design Process
- 1. @omega.teched @omega_teched Moving to Manufacture • Designing Printed Circuit Boards • Software Choices • The Design Process
- 2. Printed Circuit Boards A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is a flat board that physically supports and electrically connects electronic components. It’s the foundation of most electronic devices, from simple gadgets to complex machinery. The primary purpose of a PCB is to design circuits in a stable and organized way so that electronic devices can function smoothly and efficiently. Printed circuit board of a DVD player Image source: Wikipedia
- 3. Designing Printed Circuit Boards 1. Soldering and Prototyping • Start with soldering to make stable prototypes. Custom PCBs replace basic boards, allowing better layout options and support for advanced components. 2. Designing and Manufacturing • Use software to design the PCB layout. Manufacturing can be DIY (etching/milling) or done by a service that builds and, optionally, assembles the board. 3. Materials and Structure • PCBs are made of fiberglass for strength and copper for electrical connections. Copper is etched to form paths (traces) that link components. OMega TechEd
- 4. Designing Printed Circuit Boards OMega TechEd 4. Board Types • Single-Sided: Copper on one side, for simpler circuits. • Double-Sided: Copper on both sides, for moderate complexity. • Multi-Layer: Multiple layers for high-density circuits. 5. Special Features • Vias: Small holes that connect layers. • Planes: Areas for specific signals, like ground, to improve stability and reduce interference.
- 5. Designing Printed Circuit Boards OMega TechEd 6. Finishing Touches • Solder Mask: Protects traces and keeps solder in place. • Silkscreen: Adds labels and markings for assembly and testing. 7. Revisions and Tracking • Circuit boards often go through several design iterations, so it’s important to have clear labeling and revision tracking to differentiate between different versions, especially when troubleshooting issues in the final product.
- 6. Software Choices OMega TechEd Fritzing (Beginner- Friendly, Free) KiCad (Open Source, Intermediate to Advanced) EAGLE (Popular, Free for Non- Commercial Use) DesignSpark PCB (Free, Commercial Pro- Sumer Market)
- 7. Fritzing OMega TechEd Fritzing is great for beginners, focusing on a user-friendly interface and prototyping. Features: • Starts with a design screen resembling a breadboard, allowing you to map out your real-life prototype. • Convert your breadboard design into a schematic diagram. • Offers PCB design and trace routing. • Provides a fabrication service for making your design a reality. • Allows exporting the breadboard design view as an image or PDF. Ideal for people just starting with PCB design who want an easy transition from physical prototyping to design.
- 8. KiCad OMega TechEd KiCad is a robust open-source option for intermediate to advanced users needing more control and flexibility. Features: • Comprehensive library of predefined parts. • Supports multi-layer PCBs (up to 16 layers). • More traditional PCB design workflow compared to Fritzing. Suitable for users who need a free, open-source tool with more advanced features and greater design flexibility.
- 9. EAGLE OMega TechEd EAGLE is widely used for hobbyists and professionals due to its accessibility and extensive resources. Features: • Long-standing popularity due to a free version for non-commercial use. • Extensive library, support for multi-layer designs, and integration with Autodesk tools. • A large community provides guides and resources. Perfect for hobbyists and semi-professionals who want access to powerful features and a large user community.
- 10. DesignSpark PCB OMega TechEd DesignSpark PCB is free and powerful, aimed at those needing a professional- grade tool without cost, but only for Windows users. Features: • Free software provided by RS Components. • No board size restrictions (up to 1m²) or layer count limitations (up to 14 layers). • Aimed at professionals who need a powerful tool without the cost of commercial software. • Available on Windows, with some compatibility through Wine for Linux and CrossOver for Mac. Ideal for users needing a feature-rich, no-cost PCB design tool that can handle large, multi-layer designs, though it only officially supports Windows.
- 11. The Design Process OMega TechEd Schematic View of PCB Board (Finished) View of PCB
- 12. The Design Process OMega TechEd PCB design involves two main steps: schematic design and board Schematic: oFocus on how components connect and function. oUse standard symbols for components (resistors, capacitors, etc.). oChoose the correct part packages (e.g., through-hole or surface-mount) early on to avoid rework later. Board oOnce the schematic is complete, you move to the physical placement of components and trace routing on the PCB. oBegin by placing high-connection components first, minimizing tangled lines for easier routing later. oIt's easier to make changes to the layout if the schematic is well-defined first.
- 13. Thank You! @omega.teched LIKE,SHARE & SUBSCRIBE @omega_teched