Plate for KiCad PCB ?

[tedfs3]

I know there is a plate builder for KLE, used it more than a few times checking out different layouts in the few months I've been working on this

My question is this: Is there a similar way to simply build a plate for a PCB designed in KiCad that doesn't match the default layouts in KLE ?
Just for the heck of it I exported the DFX from KLE and imported it as graphics into KiCad to see how everything matched up and it's close but not close enough.

What would be the proper way to create a plate from a keyboard layout designed in KiCad ?

[equalunique]

What I did for the Contra (a much simpler example) was export a SVG from KiCAD, then edit it in Inkscape until it had all the necessary holes. The PCB art/legends/whatever already had the 14mm*14mm squares necessary for a plate.

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[tex_live_utility]

Can you use the switch centerpost holes to align the plate cutouts? I know it's possible (albeit tedious) to line up objects using their center points in Fusion 360.

[The Gambler]

You can do it by creating footprints using the Edge.Cuts layer to create the square cutouts. Then in the board layout, the component can be aligned using the middle points (assuming your footprint is aligned in the middle). KiCAD doesn't natively support the Edge.Cuts layer in the Footprint Editor, so you will need to edit the .kicad_mod file in order to swap layers.

At least that's what I did for creating PCB plates in KiCAD. I use Fusion360 for lasercutting and 3D Printing.

[BlindAssassin111]

You can do it by creating footprints using the Edge.Cuts layer to create the square cutouts. Then in the board layout, the component can be aligned using the middle points (assuming your footprint is aligned in the middle). KiCAD doesn't natively support the Edge.Cuts layer in the Footprint Editor, so you will need to edit the .kicad_mod file in order to swap layers.

At least that's what I did for creating PCB plates in KiCAD. I use Fusion360 for lasercutting and 3D Printing.

You can also make plates in CAD(like F360), export as .DXF and then import that into KiCAD.

[The Gambler]

I initially did that with swill's DXF files in KiCAD, but found it was hard to align the plate DXF with the grid. That basically threw off most of my measurements. I use the footprints to preserve my KiCAD workflow.

It is useful if I want just the FR4 plate cut, but if I want to start adding copper layers the alignment of the plate with the grip will throw me off. Not to mention, a copper-less design is going to raise issues with most fabs.

[BlindAssassin111]

I initially did that with swill's DXF files in KiCAD, but found it was hard to align the plate DXF with the grid. That basically threw off most of my measurements. I use the footprints to preserve my KiCAD workflow.

It is useful if I want just the FR4 plate cut, but if I want to start adding copper layers the alignment of the plate with the grip will throw me off. Not to mention, a copper-less design is going to raise issues with most fabs.

What measurements would that through off? You design the full plate in CAD and export it, so nothing else is needed.

And for the second point, all you have to do is add two SMD pads on both from and back, uncheck the soldermask checkbox in their pad properties(makes it so they are fully covered by soldermask and not exposed) add copper fills that are solid and then you have a plate that is perfectly ready for fab.

Not knocking doing it all in KiCAD, but that does limit you on geometry you can actually achieve without more headaches.

[The Gambler]

This is more lack of experience in KiCAD for me.

I usually add keepout areas inside the switch cutouts as to not confuse myself in 3DViewer about why a layer of copper is sitting right above a switch hole. It is usually aligned to a grid, since I am currently working on a simple 2x4 keypad plate.

Importing from swillkb is easy, but I found myself having difficulty precisely aligning the switch cutouts with the grid. This prevents me from placing a properly-aligned keepout area and copper fills on an imported DXF file.

Again its a workaround I found for a simple layout, with me wanting precisely-aligned copper fills and keepout areas.

[BlindAssassin111]

This is more lack of experience in KiCAD for me.

I usually add keepout areas inside the switch cutouts as to not confuse myself in 3DViewer about why a layer of copper is sitting right above a switch hole. It is usually aligned to a grid, since I am currently working on a simple 2x4 keypad plate.

Importing from swillkb is easy, but I found myself having difficulty precisely aligning the switch cutouts with the grid. This prevents me from placing a properly-aligned keepout area and copper fills on an imported DXF file.

Again its a workaround I found for a simple layout, with me wanting precisely-aligned copper fills and keepout areas.

If it works for you, then that is what matters. Just want to try and help people with alternate methods that are a tad more efficient.

And the reasoning for adding the pads is to prevent the issue with having to place keepouts, as copper fills will only work in the areas with the pads and you no longer have to place keepouts in every single cutout ot make the fills work as intended. My method is a workaround of that being an issue. But you method works, so there is no issue.