PiLocoBuffer - hardware

This folder contains PCB manufacturing data for the hardware, created from the kicad files in the SVN.

The data is created to order SMT assembled PCBs from JLCPCB in their Economy PCBA product line. THT parts (switches, LEDs, connectors) need to be assembled by hand later.

Version history

• 0.1: Initial release and first test PCBs. Don't let JLCPCB populate the EEPROM.
• 0.2:
  • Fixed SDA/SCL crossover on ATMega328P
  • Added keepout rings around LCD mounting holes
  • Added solder jumper to override LCD backlight transistor
  • Changed PCB text to rev0.2
• 0.3:
  • Fixed collector/emitter mismatch on both transistors
  • Opened and saved files with kicad 8
  • Changed PCB text to rev0.3
  • Use PCB fabrication toolkit instead of manual process
  • Set EEPROM (U1) and THT parts from bottom side to "Exclude from BOM" so JLC does not populate them
• 0.4:
  • Changed base resistors to 1kOhm for better pull-down capacity of LN transmit transistor
  • Changed C10/C11 part numbers for JLCPCB stock
  • Changed PCB text to rev0.4

Required:

• kicad 8.0.x (files created with 8.0.4)
• kicad plugin called "Fabrication Toolkit" - installed through the kicad plugin manager

Steps to create release:

1. Create a tag in the SVN and a subfolder in this folder with the same name
2. Open the piLocoBuffer project with kicad
3. From pcbnew, run Tools -> External Plugins -> Fabrication Toolkit and click "Generate"
4. Test the resulting piLocoBuffer.zip, bom.csv and positions.csv in subfolder production/ by logging into your jlcpcb.com account and running through the order process for a PCB with PCB assembly.
5. Upload piLocoBuffer.zip, bom.csv and positions.csv to the subfolder created in step 1