Welcome to Part 5 of my complete KiCad PCB Design Course! 🚀
Welcome to Part 3 of my complete KiCad PCB Design Course! 🚀
👉 https://roborear.com/courses/learn-pcb-design-for-robotics-with-kicad 👈
(Click the link above to access the complete course for FREE)In the previous episode, we routed the copper traces, calculated the trace width, added a ground copper zone and passed the Design Rule Check.Now it's time to turn that design into a real PCB you can hold in your hand.In this video, we generate the Gerber files and drill files in KiCad, check every layer in KiCad's Gerber Viewer, upload the board to JLCPCB and go through the ordering options. Then we build a proper Bill of Materials (BOM) with manufacturer and supplier part numbers, export it as a CSV and upload it to DigiKey to source all the components.Disclaimer: JLCPCB and DigiKey are NOT sponsors of this video. I'm just using them because they're popular and beginner-friendly.🏭 GERBER FILES & DRILL FILES Gerber files are what a PCB manufacturer actually uses to make your board. Each copper, solder mask, silkscreen and board outline layer gets its own file, and the drill files tell the factory where every hole goes.We also look at the two drill files KiCad creates:PTH (Plated Through-Hole): connected to copper, carries current NPTH (Non-Plated Through-Hole): mechanical only, like mounting holesGolden rule: always check your Gerbers in a viewer before you order. What you see in the viewer is what the factory will make.JLCPCB: https://jlcpcb.com/📦 BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM) A good BOM is more than a list of values. For every component we add:✅ Manufacturer ✅ Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) ✅ Supplier ✅ Supplier Part Number ✅ Product URLTip: always check that the part is "Active" and in stock. In this video, one of my switches turned out to be obsolete, so I show how to find a replacement with the same footprint by comparing datasheets.DigiKey: https://www.digikey.com/📝 HOMEWORKSwap the obsolete switch for the new one in the schematic, update the footprint, re-route the PCB and run the DRC again.Done it? Comment "Homework done ✅" below!▶️ WATCH THE COURSE FROM THE BEGINNING Part 1 – KiCad & PCB Design Introduction: https://youtu.be/pih_OFaRNVIPart 2 – Schematic Wiring, ERC & Footprints: https://youtu.be/Q5bkeypLaCwPart 3 – From Schematic to PCB: https://youtu.be/GB52FW4pibcPart 4 – PCB Routing, Design Rules & DRC: https://youtu.be/wewm9h4ta2sPart 5 – Gerber Files, BOM & Ordering: You're watching it now! 🔥Next up: a real project! We'll design the PCBs for a line follower robot, with an Arduino, motor driver and buck converter on one board and the sensor array on another.📚 FULL KICAD COURSE PLAYLISThttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCMNOSPfM9J1dJcvVuaiutZCnwWLF5l_3🌐 MORE FROM ROBOREARThis course is completely FREE on the Roborear website, with quizzes and lecture notes for every part.Course on Website: https://roborear.com/courses/learn-pcb-design-for-robotics-with-kicadWebsite: https://roborear.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@RoborearSupport Roborear: https://roborear.com/supportIf you're into robotics, electronics, PCB design, KiCad, Arduino, ESP32 and DIY engineering projects, subscribe and follow the full course.💬 QUESTION FOR YOUWhich manufacturer do you use for your PCBs, and what's the first board you're going to order?Tell me in the comments!#KiCad #KiCadTutorial #PCBDesign #GerberFiles #JLCPCB #BOM #PCBManufacturing #PCB #Electronics #Roborear