I would like to design a PCB for use in an amplifier, rather than using strip board. I've never done this before, so am looking for a PCB design program that would produce files that a PCB manufacturer could use.
Can anyone recommend :-
1. A suitable program to use ?
2. A PCB manufacturer - I see many are Chinese - are there any reasonable ones (price wise) based in the UK ?
3. Anywhere a tutorial can be found ?
Regards,
Nick - G4NKV
Designing & Manufacture of PCB's
Re: Designing & Manufacture of PCB's
KiCAD - They all have steep learning curves but this one if free and has a strong community. Even some tutorials. It is what I used for the Minitioune and other PCBs.
http://kicad-pcb.org/
Manufacturers - PCBWay, Seeed Studio etc. etc. OSH Park, especially if you like purple.
https://www.eevblog.com/wiki/index.php? ... ufacturers
Mike G0MJW
http://kicad-pcb.org/
Manufacturers - PCBWay, Seeed Studio etc. etc. OSH Park, especially if you like purple.
https://www.eevblog.com/wiki/index.php? ... ufacturers
Mike G0MJW
- kicad.PNG (1.14 MiB) Viewed 2507 times
Re: Designing & Manufacture of PCB's
I have used https://allpcb.com to order 10 Norcal40a pcb's
I just uploaded the Jerber files that were made available. they had a special offer of free UPS shipping total order cost $5 with free shipping.
You just need a program that outputs Jerber files, I think most can use that format.
I never got into cad pcb design but I am sure others on here will offer info for you.
HTH Cheers Mark
I just uploaded the Jerber files that were made available. they had a special offer of free UPS shipping total order cost $5 with free shipping.
You just need a program that outputs Jerber files, I think most can use that format.
I never got into cad pcb design but I am sure others on here will offer info for you.
HTH Cheers Mark
Re: Designing & Manufacture of PCB's
Elecrow, another Chinese manufacturer, produce some good quality boards, and have a reasonably fast turnaround for the costs. The Gerber files can simply be uploaded to their website after which you select what sort of boards you want, colour etc. and then 'hit the pay button'.
As others have suggested, KiCad is probably the most versatile free package available, and it includes schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D modelling, etc. Lots of parts definitions are available in the form of a library from Digikey, but the part generator is fairly easy to use if you can't find the one you're looking for online. Once you're done, KiCad will generate the Gerber files, and away you go... It'll even export your BOM if you want
If you've never done PCB CAD before, it takes a bit of getting used to, but there are bags of tutorials on YouTube, covering everything from getting started to fairly advanced stuff. I found it a it easier to get to grips with than EasyPC which is what we're forced to use at the office.
As others have suggested, KiCad is probably the most versatile free package available, and it includes schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D modelling, etc. Lots of parts definitions are available in the form of a library from Digikey, but the part generator is fairly easy to use if you can't find the one you're looking for online. Once you're done, KiCad will generate the Gerber files, and away you go... It'll even export your BOM if you want
If you've never done PCB CAD before, it takes a bit of getting used to, but there are bags of tutorials on YouTube, covering everything from getting started to fairly advanced stuff. I found it a it easier to get to grips with than EasyPC which is what we're forced to use at the office.
Re: Designing & Manufacture of PCB's
Thanks to all of you for the info. I have started a download of KiCad as suggested - just another hour to go thanks to a slow internet connection.
Look forward to using it - use AutoCAD for work, so maybe I will be able to get the hang of it quickly.
Nick - G4NKV
Look forward to using it - use AutoCAD for work, so maybe I will be able to get the hang of it quickly.
Nick - G4NKV