Anyone tried to make a 3D Printer controller?

madias wrote:After such nice words about KiCad I’ll post the most disadvantage (IMHO):
It’s not possible to make subcircuits or repeated circuits in the layout editor AND(!) PCB editor together. This could be really annoying.
Ok, for sure, you can repeat the circuit on the PCB but you’ll lost the control (and power) in the layout view.

@madias @fredbox used that method to panelize the boards. Seems to work good.

~Straw

I actually really like KiCad. The main disadvantage is the rapid pace of development and the non locking down of major changes. I wrote a bunch of scripts to convert too and from ExpressPCB’s proprietary encrypted format. Then KiCad shifted the internal formats from text tables (like an .INI) To XML. which means all my scripts have to be re-written.
Until recently there has not been a lot of OSX support. I was having to build source from the nightlys. If you think library management on linux is horrible. On OSX it is even worse as a lot of stuff is installed in areas that the user normally does not have access to. Then others think it should be in the /usr tree which Apple really does not like apps writing too. I think the latest versions now use the /Library folder. But there are two of these one system and one in the ~/ home directory.
KiCad really does not like making self contained projects that reside in the documents directory. I think this has improved in the last year. The last time I looked most of the online docs were about 18 months out of date or so from the current code base.

Ok, this will work with combining different (ready made) boards. But as I can remember, I needed for one board 4 different (very complex) sub-circuits, but it was nearly impossible to get this up to date in both editors without drawing the layout new or placing the components new. But maybe I missed something. This was the “problem board” (please don’t order it, it has too many bugs): http://dirtypcbs.com/view.php?share=5397&accesskey=

martinayotte wrote:RogerClark wrote:
The confusing this is the way packages are not linked to symbols like they are in Eagle

Sneak peak from elecrow
Image
They really Tried not to make an image from the board

~Straw

strawberrymaker wrote:Sneak peak from elecrow

They really Tried not to make an image from the board

~Straw

@RogerClark did you used the power flags? You have to connect Them to the power signals

~Straw

@straw

Yes. I eventually found that, but I’m not sure what I have done is correct.

I think I will download you KiCad design and look at those things.

BTW. I also had issues with non connected pins on an opto isolator (4N35), as I normally don’t connect pin 6 (Base of the opto transistor), but to stop the error I connected the base to Gnd via 100k, as I think this would not have much difference from it floating

However, there must be some way to allow some pins to not be connected, even if the symbol specifies that they have to be connected.

@RogerClark there is a blue x in the right tool bar, thats for unconnected Pins.
@RogerClark

@straw

there is a blue x in the right tool bar, thats for unconnected Pins.

Thanks

What the hell happens here..

strawberrymaker wrote:I already placed my order on elecrow.com and they accepted it, its already in production ^^. Image

Can someone post a good link to adding new footprints to KiCad

I need a TOP3 footprint, and think I need to make it myself

Thanks

@bianchifan i checked the design with zofzpcb, seemed Ok. The panelized board was made with the outline markind everything. Hope that goes OK, or i have to dremel Them out. Do you know anyone who made a panelized PCB with kicad and ordered it from elecrow?

~Straw

out of the blue.. madworm & doctormord I guess..

doctormord’s BLOG

madworm’s BLOG <- excellent source for some KiCAD hints

elecrow thread on Mikrocontroller.net with lotta stuff (Nutzen)

@bianchifan now this makes me worry a little bit. Hope they just mill it out, else i will habe to get the dremel out send Them an E-Mail if they could make a picture LF the panelized design, just answered with: ” if you habe a Problem aftere reveicing the package, message me”. That one wont help me.
~Straw

strawberrymaker wrote:” if you habe a Problem aftere reveicing the package, message me”.
~Straw

Ummm

Does this mean I should continue to use DirtyPCB’s, especially as I don’t need cutouts at the moment ?

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Panelization seemed to work.
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the missing solder mask was my fault, didnt checked it. but these tracks seem to be pretty small.
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Compared to a OSHPark PCB i ordered

Now: Waiting for the parts to arrive

~Straw

Image..?
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