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Paulvk
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1257 Location: SYDNEY
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:15 am Post subject: KiCad free (GPL) schematic/pcb software |
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I am using KiCad to produce very good PCBs and schematics by hand and have had some made by commercial maker, its totally free full featured with no limits. Works on windows and linux. I am building some great AVR boards with it, through hole and surface mount all by hand.
Just wanted to share it with others who like me enjoy making PCBs but allways wanted good software but could not warrant the cost of buying comercial stuff for what is a hobby.
www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ |
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Dave
Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 314 Location: OR
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Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:41 am Post subject: |
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I've started using KiCad too. So fare it does what I need to do.
I sent my first KiCad design out to http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/fusion-pcb-service-p-835.html.
10 - 1x1inch double sided boards for only $10.00usd plus $4.00usd for shipping. What a deal!
I'll report back when I receive them in a week or so. |
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Dave
Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 314 Location: OR
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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My boards from seed studio arrived today. 17 days total from sending the email with designs to delivery to my door. The boards look good, no signs of problems. I payed for 10 boards, they sent 11. That comes out to be $1.27 each. So I can recommend seed studio, I'll definitely be using them again. |
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hgrueneis
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 902 Location: A-4786 Brunnenthal
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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Dave,
thank you for posting the link to the PCB place.
Had a little trouble first to find the "SERVICE" button (blind me)!
This is a SCREAMING deal! Can not even get the sensitized boards and chemicals for that price.
Just ordered a set yesterday (made with Diptrace). Paid exactly $14.00 incl air post for 10 X 5x5cm.
If these boards arrive like you say, I will never ever make one myself (and spend half a day on it).
A re-design is not a problem even if one makes a mistake and has to do it over.
This opens up AVR design for almost everybody.
Thanks again
Hubert |
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Dave
Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 314 Location: OR
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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Hubert
I'd like to hear how that works out for you.
The only problem I have is what to do with ten boards.
Dave |
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hgrueneis
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 902 Location: A-4786 Brunnenthal
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Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Dave,
ten boards is a little problem but I rather have 10 boards for $14 than 1 for $100!
Opens up a whole new meaning for digital JUNK.
Maybe artwork or donation for educational purposes would work.
Here in Tucson, whatever I do not need, I include in electronic board recycling.
Or collect and recycle in the next decade with other collections.
Or share with others for compensation if you are willing to give up your design.
Maybe Mark Alberts could set up a trade blog for leftover PCBs with manual (Postage + $2 with $1 donation to the MCS Bascom Website support). Like a project blog with PCB availability. If enough members want it....reorder!
Quite some time ago I also installed KiCad but find it a bit harder to work with than Diptrace (my personal thing).
To save time, I usually have the schematics on paper, place components and route manually in the CAD.
I sent the Diptrace Gerber and N/C drill....will see the result.
My order might arrive at the end of June.
If it turns out right, an other 6 or 7 boards need to be done. That would save me a lot of time.
Will definitely let you know how they turn out.
Have a nice Weekend.
Hubert |
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hgrueneis
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 902 Location: A-4786 Brunnenthal
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:04 am Post subject: |
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@Dave and anybody interested,
just got my 48x48 mm PCBs today (10 for $14.00 incl. shipping).
It took 3 weeks but it was worth waiting for.
I have had about the same quantity and size made before (also in China) but paid 10 times as much for it and the quality was not as good.
I am really impressed and will order a lot more.
Looks like I will not ever make even a proto board myself if I do not need it right away.
If I want to show off, then they can produce in a few colors for an additional charge.
Dave, thanks again for a great link and find and sharing.
Hubert |
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Dave
Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 314 Location: OR
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Paulvk - I apologize for turning your post into one about pcb manufacturing.
Hubert - Glad your boards came back okay. I think they are the low price winners. There is also a US group order here in the NW that is almost as low cost and much faster. I'll start a new post to share that one. |
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Paulvk
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1257 Location: SYDNEY
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:16 am Post subject: |
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Thats ok Dave its good to know about getting PCBs made but I will still be making some myself only because of the time factor but it will only be the first prototype if I need more then I will have them made trouble is that some fully built hardware is now so cheap eg arduino m2560 $21 and wiznet w5100 shield $12.50 US dolars free delivery its not worth making them!
Regards Paul |
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hgrueneis
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 902 Location: A-4786 Brunnenthal
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:37 am Post subject: |
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I for example do not care about wiznet or some other projects but want to use my own projects with Bascom.
Internet control of equipment is established and available, why invent the wheel again?
There are other things to control and internet is not the " HOLY GRAIL" of things to accomplish.
Some people in this blog have their own mind and creativity.
This possibility to have boards done with low cost is in my opinion a real WINNER!
I do not have to copy everything that is put in front of me.
I also do not see a problem to wait for 3 weeks for an order if I can save 90% of the cost.
Some of us are into other things than the "COMMON INTERNET".
The most important: The first rain in this season right now with a lot of thunder and lightning!!!! Coming down in "buckets". Mostly over 40 Deg. C.
It is a celebration, especially since it is 4th of July in the morning, all of America will celebrate.
@DAVE,
looking forward to see the american production link.
Happy 4th.
Hubert |
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Dave
Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 314 Location: OR
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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Paul - I had to google wiznet (I can't keep up with all the cool new gizmo's out there). Where can you get them for $12.50? I have an application in mind for that technology.
Hubert - I've seen those Tucson summer thunder storms, spectacular! I miss thunder storms, we just don't get them in the NW. |
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Paulvk
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1257 Location: SYDNEY
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Dave I am getting them (still in post ) from buyincoins.com go to the site and search on arduino lots of nice bits come up , as of yesterday have my M2560 R2 (diffrent place same day order) I am not into arduino as such lets face facts Basic was invented because the teacher had difficulty teaching "C" to his students then Mark invented Bascom so why use it! But I will use parts ready made if it costs less than buying them. The M2560 came from powerbase2015 there was no way I could make it for the price it would have cost more for the M2560 chip alone as I would have to pay for delivery!
Back to Kicad: I was just thinking with the parts libraries we create which would be AVR Bascom related we could put them here for others to use I have put up full boards in the blog section so I might sort out some of the many I have built for myself and put them up to download they were mostly made to make hand soldering easy with things like SMD parts.
Regards Paul |
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six1
Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 553
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:01 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
I would like to mention "DesignSpark PCB".
It's totaly free and all is unlimited! max pcb size is one square meter with unlimited layers!
And it was the only software, wich imported my Eagle layouts without errors!
Don't wanted to make a new thread... just for you as interested user on making your own pcb's...
best, Michael
PS: i'm using eagle in full version, and yes, it's not that windows conform... BUT you always have to learn with every Soft. (but only for hobby i would take a free version too...) _________________ For technical reasons, the signature is on the back of this message. |
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Paulvk
Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1257 Location: SYDNEY
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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You could have started a new post Michael its good for people to see the choices of free unlimited PCB software I went to Kicad as its like Eagle (I think it was made to replace Eagle in the french uni) which is what I started using but found the size of the PCB too limiting even the paid next version was too limited for what it was going to cost and auto routing is poor on any one I have tried even expensive ones that are demos that you can not print from can not route as well as I can by hand. Its up to people to find what suits them best so the more informed they are the better they can choose.
Regards Paul |
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