Summary of Making your first Circuit Board – Getting started with PCBway [Part 2]
This article outlines the essential steps for designing and manufacturing a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) using PCBWay. It emphasizes verifying schematic connections, matching component footprints, planning board layout features like mounting holes, adhering to trace size restrictions, generating Gerber files, and placing an order online.
Parts used in the First Printed Circuit Board Project:
- Schematic design software
- PCB CAD software
- Gerber file
- PCBWay ordering platform
This is the next part of “MAKING YOUR FIRST PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD – GETTING STARTED WITH PCBWAY [Part 1]“ Series.
![Making your first Circuit Board – Getting started with PCBway [Part 2]](https://pic-microcontroller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Making-your-first-Circuit-Board-%E2%80%93-Getting-started-with-PCBway-Part-2.jpg)
Designing your PCB
When you design your first PCB, there will be several steps that you will need to take before you sent the design files off to the manufacturer for manufacturing.
Create The Schematic
When creating the schematic in any of the programs mentioned in part 1, remember to double check that everything is connected where it needs to be with a NET. This is how the program’s auto-routing, DRC, and ERC features know what is connected where. I generally like to go over my schematic two or three times, counting each net, and making sure that everything is connected and accounted for before moving on to the board layout.
When designing your schematic, you will need to pay particular care to ensure that the footprint of the component you use in the schematic exactly matches the footprint of the component that will be soldered to the PCB.
Creating the PCB
Each PCB CAD software will usually offer a way for you to transfer your schematic design to a PCB layout. Designing a PCB layout might be slightly tedious if it’s your first time doing it, but fortunately, several tutorials talk about it. If your design features mounting holes, v-scores, mouse bites, or fingers, make sure you place them on the board first.
When designing your PCB Layout, it is essential that you take note of your traces size. Manufacturers usually have restrictions on how small your traces can be, as well as how small the clearances can be between traces. PCBWay minimum track and spacing are 4mil and 4 mil respectively, their minimum hole size is 0.2mm. Of course, going for the minimum will slightly increase your board cost.
Having your PCB manufactured
The first thing you will need to do before you can ship your design off to be manufactured is to generate a Gerber file that contains all of the necessary design files to use in the PCBs production. This file is a universal file and is generated in the CAD program you used to design your PCB. Each program has its way of generating this file, so be sure to read the program’s instructions, or search for the proper way to create the file with the program you are using.
Ordering at PCBWay
Go to PCBWay (https://www.pcbway.com) and fill the board details in the instant order, from there you will be directed to more elaborate board details.
Read more: Making your first Circuit Board – Getting started with PCBway [Part 2]
- How should I verify my schematic before moving to layout?
You should double-check that everything is connected with a NET and count each net two or three times. - What must match between the schematic and the physical component?
The footprint of the component used in the schematic must exactly match the footprint of the component soldered to the PCB. - Which board features should be placed first during layout design?
Mounting holes, v-scores, mouse bites, or fingers should be placed on the board first. - What are the minimum track and spacing limits at PCBWay?
PCBWay has minimum track and spacing limits of 4mil respectively. - What is the minimum hole size allowed by PCBWay?
Their minimum hole size is 0.2mm. - What file format is required before shipping a design for manufacturing?
You must generate a Gerber file containing all necessary design files for production. - Where can I go to fill in board details for an instant order?
You can go to PCBWay to fill the board details in the instant order.
