Learn PCB Design from Scratch
Hello! Welcome
Today we are going to learn about PCB design from scratch.
What is a PCB?
A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) organizes and connects electronic components like resistors, chips, LEDs, and sensors.
They are very cheap and make it easier to create complex circuits. You’ll avoid a ton of wires and connectors!
Layers of the PCB
A PCB has several layers, each with a specific function:
- Base: usually made of fiberglass, provides rigidity and structure.
- Copper: conductive layers that connect the components.
- Silkscreen: top layer with text and symbols to identify components.
- Soldermask: protective coating that prevents short circuits.
Vias and Traces
Most PCBs have multiple layers of copper stacked. These are what connect the elements of the circuits.
In each layer:
- Traces: are like the “wires” of the PCB within a layer
- Vias: are “vertical” connections that pass between layers of the PCB
You’re doing great!
Now let’s talk about PCB design
Design Tools
To design a PCB, you need specialized software, called EDA (Electronic Design Automation).
Some of the most used are KiCad, Altium Designer, and EasyEDA
These programs help you draw the circuit and design the board.
PCB Design
The design of a PCB has two main stages:
- Design the circuit schematic
- Design the board
This will help you visualize and then materialize how the physical PCB will look.
Circuit Schematic
First, we draw the electrical schematic of the circuit. Here we define how the components are connected and their connections.
Normally, this is the most “difficult” part. It is the part where you have to completely define the electrical part of your PCB.
Board Design
Next, we convert the schematic into a board design. Here we place the components and traces on the PCB, following the schematic you created earlier.
The program will give you hints. For example, indicating which part you need to place or the connections that are missing.
Routing
Routing is the process of drawing the traces on the board to connect all the components according to the schematic.
When routing, traces cannot cross. You will have to play with the paths, the vias, and the arrangement of elements until everything fits.
You may need to adjust the location of the components until you get everything to fit. It’s a tug-of-war!
You’re almost there!
We just need to see how to program your Arduino
File Generation
To manufacture the PCB, we need to generate Gerber files, which contain all the information about the design and layers of the circuit.
Gerber files are the industry standard for PCB manufacturing.
These files contain all the instructions for each layer of the PCB, the positions of the holes, and the traces.
PCB Manufacturing
With the Gerber files, you can send your design to a PCB factory.
They will create the physical board with the copper layers, solder, and components that you defined in the design.
Your PCB will be ready to assemble the components and bring your circuit to life.
Component Assembly
After manufacturing the PCB, the components are assembled onto the board. This can be done by hand or through automated machines.
Once the components are assembled, we perform tests to ensure that the PCB works correctly and debug any errors.
Well done!
Now you know the basics of PCB design! Explore more and start designing your own circuits!
