KiCad

If you create your circuit board layout with KiCad, please observe the following tips.

We are happy to take care of generating the production data (Gerber export) for you. You just have to send us your .kicad_pcb file along with your order. All further steps are taken care of by our CAM engineers.

If the uncomplicated Gerber (and drill file) export in KiCad is carried out by yourself, you can check your finished production data directly in the integrated Gerber viewer. This helps avoiding queries.

We naturally import your ODB++, Gerber-, KiCad-, Target-, Eagle-, IPC-2581- and Sprint layout data free of charge!

General information

The KiCad program is a complete project manager with a number of integrated modules, such as circuit diagram generation (Eeschema), circuit board layout (Pcbnew) or a Gerber Viever (GerbView).

KiCad is open source, and thus available free of charge.

Design Rules

The design rules can be found directly in the main menu of Pcbnew. There are two tabs:

Net Classes Editor: Conductor spacing and width as well as Vias
Global Design Rules: Minimum values for conductors, pad and drill diameters

Multi-CB parameters

For an optimal result, please define the free-of-charge high-tech parameters of Multi-CB:

Track-width / space: 0,125mm (125µm) - free-of-charge ✓
Annular ring: 0,125mm (125mm) - free-of-charge ✓
Drills: 0.2mm (200µm) - free-of-charge ✓
Via-Pad: 0,45mm (450µm) - free-of-charge ✓

This guarantees the best technology at the best price. The minimum possible values can be found here: Circuit board design parameters.

Net Classes Editor (mm)

	Clearance	Track Width	Via Ø	Via Drill-Ø	uVia Ø	uVia Drill-Ø
	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	Clearance	0,125	Track Width	0,125	Via Ø	0,45	Via Drill-Ø	0,2	uVia Ø	0,3	uVia Drill-Ø	0,1
	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	Clearance	0,100	Track Width	0,100	Via Ø	0,4	Via Drill-Ø	0,2	uVia Ø	0,3	uVia Drill-Ø	0,1

Globale Design Rules (mm)

Multi-CB 2&4 layers	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	Min. possible
Min. track width	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	0,125	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	0,100	Min. possible	0,075
Min. Via diameter	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	0,45	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	0,4	Min. possible	0,3
Min. Via drill diameter	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	0,2	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	0,2	Min. possible	0,1
Min. uVia diameter	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	0,3	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	0,3	Min. possible	0,225
Min. uVia drill diameter	Multi-CB 2&4 layers	0,1	Multi-CB ≥6 layers	0,1	Min. possible	0,075

Additional required track-widths, clearances and Vias can also be defined in the Design Rules (see KiCad manual, page 22 / PDF page 27)

Gerber export

You can start the Gerber Export under File / Plot. In the Plotting dialog, you define the layers to be exported. Please activate the function "Subtract soldermask from silkscreen" to avoid silkscreen on the pads. You can usually use default settings for all other options.

Drill Files Generation

After the Gerber export, you start the drill file export from the same window (Generate Drill File). You can usually use default settings for all other options.

See also KiCad manual, p. 30 - PDF page 35.

Standard layers

By default, KiCad uses Protel's tried and tested filename extensions for Gerber export. Please use the default setting.

Layer	KiCad layer name	Standard Protel extension
Layer	Top layer	KiCad layer name	F.Cu	Standard Protel extension	.GTL
Layer	Bottom layer	KiCad layer name	B.Cu	Standard Protel extension	.GBL
Layer	Top Marking Print (Overlay)	KiCad layer name	F.SilkS	Standard Protel extension	.GTO
Layer	Top Solder-stop	KiCad layer name	F.Mask	Standard Protel extension	.GTS
Layer	Bottom Solder-Stop	KiCad layer name	B.Mask	Standard Protel extension	.GBS
Layer	Contour	KiCad layer name	Edge.Cuts	Standard Protel extension	.GM1

Gerber Data check

To view the generated Gerber files, click the GerbView icon in the KiCad Project Manager. Then import your Gerber and drill files:

Import Gerber: Select File / Load Gerber File and select all exported Gerber layers
Import drill file: Select File / Load EXCELLON drill file and select all exported drilling data

You can now check your complete production data. Pack all into a zip file which you can with your PCB order.