This week, I went deeper into schematic design and symbol management in KiCad, ensuring that the Fab Academy 2025 inventory library was correctly set up. I explored the available components in the inventory and designed a simple example circuit with three push buttons, capacitors, resistors, and led connected to the RP2040. After completing the schematic, I proceeded to verify the footprint alignment for each component in the PCB layout.
Work Process Detail
1. Setting Up the Fab Academy Library
I ensured that the Fab Academy 2025 inventory library was properly installed and active in KiCad.
I browsed through the available components in the inventory to understand which parts were locally available for my design.
2. Selecting and Placing Components
After reviewing the inventory, I decided to create a simple example circuit using:
Three push buttons as inputs.
Capacitors and resistors to stabilize the circuit.
RP2040 microcontroller as the main control unit.
I carefully placed the components in KiCad's schematic editor, ensuring proper connections and logical flow.
3. Assigning and Aligning Footprints
After finalizing the schematic, I proceeded to assign the correct footprints for each component.
I verified that the footprint dimensions matched the physical components to avoid misalignment during PCB fabrication.
Ensured that pad sizes, hole placements, and spacing were correct for soldering.
Learning Outcome
1️⃣ Checked and confirmed the Fab Academy 2025 inventory library was correctly installed in KiCad.
2️⃣ Explored available components in the inventory to choose suitable parts.
3️⃣ Designed a simple circuit with push buttons, capacitors, and resistors connected to the RP2040.
4️⃣ Assigned the correct footprints for each component, ensuring proper alignment.
5️⃣ Verified footprint dimensions and spacing to avoid errors in PCB fabrication.
This process gave me hands-on experience in library management, schematic design, and footprint validation in KiCad. Moving forward, I plan to test different circuit configurations and optimize PCB routing for better efficiency.
