So I started by downloading the fab library that is posted on the schedule then export it to my kicad as well as the footprint library.

After creating the schematic design we generate a netlist so we can update to the pcb design :

Then start working on pcb design and try to connect all the components with traces , then make an outline for the circuit using edge cuts color :

and before we export the file to svg , check the design rules and make sure that clearance fits our design:

finally export the svg file as followed :

I personally used gimp to take out the traces and the outline separately, but any software can be used:

Now the circuit is ready to be connected to the Arduino so we can program it

Testing and programming:

Since we still do not have our lab inventory we connected the circuit to the Arduino and programmed a simple blinking leds:

hello-board design :

Finally, after waiting for two weeks some components has arrived so now I can start fabricating my hello-board circuit:
For this week assignment we had to redraw one of Neil's echo hello-boards and then add led and a button so this the board that I will try to redraw:

Hello-board kicad design :

1. Open the schematic then start adding your components + adding LED and a button:

2. Assign the footprint for each component:

3. Generate a netlist and import it to the PCB design:

4. Now start wiring everything up with traces :

Milling:

• after exporting my files from Kicad I used gimp to seprate the traces from the outline so I can excute each one alone :


Mistake : my mistake was that I did not fill the white corner with black color therefore, the milling machine milled the edges twice and ended up with useless overcut so I will be fixing this problem in my next board which is in week 10.

• Now export the PNG files into FabMedoule and follow the same steps in week 4:

• milling process:

Stuffing the board:

finally i am starting to understand how soldering works after I burned my self with the iron lol , and I learned that it is always best to set your stuff before you start soldering anyway here are the componets needed for my hello circuit:

6-pin header
ATtiny45
2x03 SMD connector
Capacitor (1uF)
3 Resistor (10k,1k,499R)
Button
LED

Final Product

Testing the board :

• Checking if my board is sending signal through the serial monitor (basically just sending 1 when the button is pressed):
• Testing the led toggle switch

Things I have learned this week:

1. Designing pcb using Kicad: at first it was very difficult what was going on but then after some explaintion and practice I was able to understand the process for designing pcbs and that includes dealing and arranging the schematic as well as knowing how to connect the traces in the software.
2. Using the milling machine: I was able to learn how to deal with such machines like the Roland SRM-20 and by dealing I mean setting up the computer for it and knowing which tool to use without breaking it , how to set the origin .

3. Basic electronics knowledge: knowing what each component does and why do we use it was part of learning how to make the pcb so it can work without any malfunction, and I found this very helpful note from one of my instructors documentation.

4. Using the micro-controller: I learned how to assign the micro-controller pins and what each pin is responsible for.

5. Adding led to the pcb: first I learned that any led needs a resistor attached to it because most led can not handle the voltage that is coming from the source so we use resistors to limit the current that flows through the led otherwise it will burn.

6. Adding a button : the only problem I had to placing the button and wiring it because it had 4 pads that needs to be connected but at the end I placed near the micro-controller pin that I assigned for the button and that was It was easier to wire.

All the design files are here: