In the time of Covid-19 and lockdown, you might be looking for new hobbies to keep yourself occupied and productive. Perhaps, you’ve always dreamed of being a mad-scientist inventor, but instead, you ended up stuck in a 9-5 desk job. If that’s the case, now is the time to explore the vast opportunities that exist in printed circuit board (PCB) design.
PCB design, once a daunting and inaccessible task for beginners, has become much more accessible with the advent of PCB design software. This guide will provide you with the basics of PCB design and show you how to get started with PCB design software today.
Who Will Enjoy PCB Design PCBs are the foundation of all modern electronics. Although they are incredibly complex and challenging to design, home hackers and tinkerers have been reconfiguring and designing their own PCBs since the 80s. Anyone interested in electronics will enjoy learning about the mechanics of a PCB and creating their own. PCB design is also a great way to bond with older kids and teens over an engaging and educational project.
Avoid DIY PCBs While there are many blogs dedicated to DIY PCB fabrication at home, this can be a quick way to burn out, become frustrated, and even potentially dangerous. Some aspects of a well-designed PCB, such as drilling holes, creating double-sided boards, plating, and soldering, are extremely challenging with the tools you have at home. Some DIY PCB creators also use toxic etching chemicals to create traces on their boards.
Instead of going down this route, we recommend using a PCB design software program. You can find these for free online and they will allow you to quickly create prototype PCBs without the hazards and hassle. PCB design software will connect you to a community of like-minded individuals that you won’t find by tinkering in your garage.
PCB Design Software Overview PCB design software provides an overview of other PCB designers’ works and is a library of various designs from users to make collaboration and testing new models easier for both hobbyists and professionals. With this software, you can create your schematic and convert it into a PCB with all the details in place, without the need for manual drilling or etching. Many PCB manufacturers offer their software for free, allowing users to complete the entire process in a seamless manner.
Getting Started with PCB Design To start, you will need an idea of what you would like to prototype. This is where you can get creative. You can either improve an existing electrical product or create your own. For those who want to customize their remote work setup, you can design a PCB to improve your keyboard or computer. If you’re looking for a fun activity with kids, you can create a LED board, light-up ornaments, or a toy. If you’re an adventurous person, you can even build your own drone. The possibilities are endless as PCBs are highly customizable and present in every electrical system. Once you have an idea in mind, you can seek advice from the tinkerer community for tips and tricks based on trial and error.
Selecting the Right PCB Design Software There are many PCB design software tools available on the market, many of which are free. It is important to choose one that is connected to a PCB manufacturer, so you can ensure that the file created by the software is compatible with the manufacturer. This avoids disappointment and prevents you from designing a PCB that cannot be built.
To start, you will likely want to design a PCB prototype using PCB design software. This is a low-risk and cost-effective way to experiment and learn from your mistakes. Some software even allows you to test your prototype virtually to ensure all components are in place and to spot any potential design issues.
Once you are satisfied with your prototype, you can proceed to print. If you are using free PCB design software that is connected to a PCB manufacturer, the process is quick and easy. In no time, you will have a custom-made PCB to power up your creation.
Effortless PCB Design with Advanced Circuits For PCB design beginners, hobbyists, and tinkerers, Advanced Circuits is an excellent choice. They are a full-service PCB manufacturer that can bring your ideas to life. Their free PCB design software, PCB Artist, includes a components library with over 500,000 parts and is user-friendly for fast and free PCB layouts. You can create as many virtual prototypes as you like until you get it just right, and then run your Gerber file through their free file checker to ensure all necessary data is included and avoid errors during the manufacturing process.
Continuing to Create The tinkering community is known for their curiosity and creativity. If you are new to PCB design, don’t be discouraged. Everyone starts as a novice and gradually works their way up to more complex designs. With many blogs and forums available, you can find advice from experienced tinkerers to overcome any challenges. Free PCB design software like PCB Artist will give you the confidence to keep innovating.