Designing my first PCB in Kicad. I think I've got the power supply wired up correctly.
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12 posts11 participants1 post today
Replied to tjhowse
@tj there have been approaches to build such a design library of building blocks. Even before v9, there is a plugin that can save/restore layout.
The #kicad librarian team decided not to ship such design blocks. Two major reasons:
1. Resources of maintainers
2. People are pretty opinionated on how a schematic and layout should look. For most problems there are lots of valid solutions, depending on your use-case and PCB process.
Continued thread
I would love a library of modular circuit schematics that I can cut and paste into #kicad, along with jellybean component lists, to bring the convenience of module-based development into the realm of from-scratch PCB design.
Has anyone encountered something like this? My cursory internetting is failing me.
2/2
I build #circuits to drive projects, like a kiln controller or a robot. My prototypes are built with bought modules on #veroboard. A module takes Vin and GND, and provides IO as SPI, I²C, 0-5v, etc, so I can ignore the specifics of each chip and work on the fun integration stuff.
The problem arrives when I want to make a #PCB without modules. I then I have to open a million datasheets and spend a week finding components and routing stuff.
1/2
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And this time I'll make a proper wiring diagram with #KiCAD in the end too because just as expected: Two years later I forgot everything and have to backtrack all.
Replied to Joy
This looks like AI slop [1]. The AI generated parts are clearly wrong. Unusable for a real project. A board designed with this symbol & footprint won't work.
[1] I have to trust the auto-translate feature of google since I don't speak the language. If its a parody, I want to apologize for criticizing it.
I just finished my first attempt at a design for a schematic symbol in Kicad for an MCU (STM32N657Z0H3QTR).
New blog post! Is it still possible to get cheap Z80-based home computers? VTech is on your side, as long as you don't look too closely at that keyboard (woof.) But I managed to get it to draw some pixels, and generate composite video, so we're off to a great start learning and playing together with the VTech Socrates. #retrocomputing #retrogaming #z80 #kicad #vtech
https://www.leadedsolder.com/2025/04/22/vtech-socrates-pickup.html
Leaded Solder · The VTech Socratic MethodInitial technical exploration of the VTech Socrates line of Z80-based educational home computers. A composite video modification board is developed.
Replied in thread
@tripplehelix Thank you, I had to make some of the 3D models myself.
And #kicad is cool.
Done making a few reference designs for an I2C and power over RJ45/twisted pair daisy chaining system (similar to the SparkFun QwiicBus but hopefully a little cheaper as I'm building it myself), just need to order the boards and see if it blows up, I've done work adding load switching and TVS diodes (following helpful pointers by @gsuberland ) which I've never worked with before so I'm quite scared I've messed this up a little if anyone can look over and advise
GitHubGitHub - jasonalexander-ja/PicoChain: Power and I2C daisy chained over ethernet patch cables.Power and I2C daisy chained over ethernet patch cables. - GitHub - jasonalexander-ja/PicoChain: Power and I2C daisy chained over ethernet patch cables.
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That’s what I see by beeping it out without removing the boards. I should have drawn the 2x8 connector in the middle. Oh well, that’s what #KiCad is for. #AppleII #VintageComputing #RetroComputing
I'm planning another module for my #StackSynth - a #VCF based on the #LM13700 and the Skull & Circuits VCF-3: https://www.skullandcircuits.com/vcf-3/
I already designed the #PCB in #KiCad but wanted to test it on a solderless #breadboard first. It works fine, so I ordered the PCBs.
#diysynth #electronics #synthesizer
Replied in thread
@3dprinting This morning I soldered the FilaBilly dehumidifier PCB. I need to crimp up some connectors, reprint the orange standoff/surround (it's like 0.3mm too tight), and finish the firmware. Then it'll be system testing time! I already know the ESP32 boots, either from USB or 12V power.
I found out about r/PrintedCircuitBoard yesterday, so I'll ask for a PCB review there, even though the board is assembled.
23/N
Road Show continues today into a full integration test.
Here's Ted, being controlled by the real game in coil test mode.
A curious "feature" was discovered today that I had not observed before; these tiny coils are not driven with constant current, but some kind of a software-controlled attempt at PWM at a very low cycle. I'll have to detect this in software and compensate.
Other than that the prototype PCB will probably go into design with #KiCad as the mechanical side is starting to look good. Final versions of the eyes and eyelids will also go into production and I'll have to get color-matched paints. Curiously, Red and Ted both have different skin tones.
I've finally finished the electronics for my upcoming exhibition "Moans and Groans" at Notam. The circuit is a custom designed to translate audio to vibrator motor signals. It works as an audio file player as well as a class compliant USB audio interface.
On the 23rd of April I will conduct a haptic audio workshop in Oslo at NOTAM where we play with this technology.
#fieldrecording #electronics #kicad #opensource #foss
More information: https://madskjeldgaard.dk/portfolio/haptic-fields
Reverse Engineering the IBM PC110, One PCB at a Time - There’s a dedicated group of users out there that aren’t ready to let their belove... - https://hackaday.com/2025/04/06/reverse-engineering-the-ibm-pc110-one-pcb-at-a-time/ #drop-inreplacement #reverseengineering #retrocomputing #ibmpc110 #kicad
Hackaday · Reverse Engineering The IBM PC110, One PCB At A TimeThere’s a dedicated group of users out there that aren’t ready to let their beloved IBM PC110 go to that Great Big Data Center in the Sky. Unfortunately, between the limited available t…