Hello, fellow students! I’m Son, a beginner in KiCad and SolidWorks. The steps below will help you get familiar with KiCad or SolidWorks quickly. I hope that after following these basic steps, you’ll be able to start building simple prototypes.

Final Product#

Kicad#

Requirement#

First, we need to define what we’re designing. Our goal is to create a fuse box for voltage sense lines.

We have a total of 11 sense lines, and each one must have a fuse to protect the end device or downstream device. Our device can handle up to 300mA at peak, so choosing a 500mA fuse seems like a good option.

Next, we’ll select a connector and choose the appropriate fuse size along with a suitable fuse holder. Now, let’s go shopping!

Shopping#

Here are four websites that I often use:

Digikey: Electronic component, sometimes it is cheaper than Amazon
Octopart: to get 3D model and Kicad symbol, footprint
Ultralibrarian: Similar to octopart that provide both 3D model and Kicad symbol
Amazon: get other part that cheaper than digikey
McMasterCarr: great website for mechanical parts. It also has good technical information

These are three components that I pick. Also, please check the pitch size to avoid ordering parts that are not compatible on our perfboard.

By standard the pitch size of perfboard is 0.1 in or 2.54mm.

Get the CAD, Symbols and Footprint files#

Next, I will go to octopart to download the necessary files Octopart

This is the files that I received

They also include 3D model file here

Importing Symbol and Footprint to Kicad#

Let put everything in one folder so we can manage it easier Now open Kicad and create new project. Open Kicad Schematic Editor

On Preference select Manage Symbol Libraries,

Choose Project Specific Libraries

and add ______.kicad_sym

Now go back to Preference and select Manage Foot Print Library, add folder

Start Building#

Select kicad_sch file to start editing

Press A to add symbol

Then we go to Tool > Annotate Schematic

Next, we will select Update PCB from Schematic

Now you can arrange components on your board, make sure fuse will fit in between two holder (0.6 in)

We also need to create a main board. So click on Edge.Cuts

use rectangular symbol to draw the shape of your pcb board

Now, we need to route copper trace. There are two layers, front and back.

I select front and start Wiring (or press X)

Now you can check your product by click on View > 3D Viewer

CONGRATULATION!!! you can design a PCB on your own

Notice that we don’t see the 3D connector here, let add it

And this is the final result after we add 3D models.

Export to Step file#

Adding Copper pour (Optional)#

We can also add copper pour which is a copper layer on top of the FR4 to improve signal and dissipate heat. We may don’t need it in this simple circuit.

To draw a rectangular that fills the entire board, I will create a rectangular shape first (1). Then, I will select GND in (2) and then using the rectangular as a guide to draw the boundary. Next, I press B to fill the copper. The final version is shown in (4).

Adding vias to the second layer#

When I add two traces (red highlighted)

The ratsnet now changes

To route the track, we can either route it on B.Cu by clicking on the B.Cu layer and route normally as in F.Cu.

Or we can use vias

SolidWorks#

Navigate SolidWorks (5 mins)#

Rotate: using middle button on the mouse Pan: or moving the design by pressing control button and middle button of the mouse Spacebar: fit an object into windows

Unit in SolidWorks (1 min)#

On your right-hand side, select mm as unit

Measuring#

Using Smart Dimension to measure the size of an object

Let’s Start#

Import STEP file#

This is the circuit we design earlier

Let build a box for it; I usually search online to get an idea.

The box above looks nice but let make something simple. I want to create a box with 5mm thick and cover the pcb board. The box should have 4 leg with the height of 5mm to raise the board up. The box will be 40mm height.