PCB Design Useful Tips
- Vic Gerhardi
TinyCad
Introduction
TinyCad is a very useful program. It is free, produces circuit diagrams, net lists and a host of other features. This section describes some useful tricks, yes, it may also be in the manual, but who reads them unless you get stuck.
Parts
When defining a part, different fields may be entered. It is important that the same field names are used and are in the same order throughout the circuit, otherwise the spreadsheet generated will be unusable. Here is an example.
| Fields may be added with the Add button, or Deleted, by highlighting the row and pressing the Delete button. |
Circuit Symbols
It is important to use the same line thickness and terminal spacing. This is my preference.
| Four dots between the terminals and the line 5 wide. |
Free PCB
Introduction
Free PCB is a PCB design tool, MultiiCB is a company that supplies PCBs. Here is some additional information to link them both.
Multi-CB
Design Rule Check
Minimum distance allowed | mm |
|---|---|
Trace width | 0.150 |
Pad to pad | 0.150 |
Pad to trace | 0.150 |
Trace to trace | 0.150 |
Hole to pad or trace | 0.300 |
Hole to hole | 0.450 |
Annular (pins) | 0.150 |
Annular (via) | 0.150 |
Board edge to copper | 0.200 |
Board edge to hole | 0.350 |
Copper area to copper area | 0.150 |