| Speedrun KiCad[0] is an open source tool for electronics CAD/EDA [1]. You will use it to create a schematic in the schematics editor, assign a "footprint" [2a] to each component (that's the size and shape of a components) and then import it into the PCB editor to lay these components out. The board outline goes onto the Edge.Cuts layer, the traces [2b] onto the copper layers, e.g. F.Cu for the front layer and B.Cu for the backside layer. You will also place your components on these outer layers (You won't need inner layers for a while). You can switch your traces between layers using a "via" [3]. Generate Gerber and drill files then using the "Plot" dialog, zip them and upload them to a service like JLCPCB (very cheap!), OSHPark, PCBWay, e.g. Aisler [4] if your based in Europe. I'd choose leadfree HASL [5] as surface finish. It's cheaper then ENIG and perfectly fine for the beginning. If you are fine with soldering, then source the parts from e.g. Mouser or Digikey [6] and solder them yourself. That will save you the trouble of having to generate a list of which parts go where for the manufacturer. Make sure you order the parts with exactly the footprint that you put on the PCB. Start small, ideally with a circuit of which you already know that it's working. This way you can concentrate on getting the details of the PCB manufacturing process right. [0] https://www.kicad.org/ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_design_automation [2a] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footprint_(electronics) [2b] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_trace [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_(electronics) [4] https://jlcpcb.com/, https://oshpark.com/, https://www.pcbway.com/, https://aisler.net/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_air_solder_leveling [6] https://www.mouser.com, https://www.digikey.com/ |