Add non-plated hole directly to PCB layout

Layout
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Is there a way to add a non-plated hole to a PCB without building a separate footprint to add a pad?

My PCB is a bit annoying because I have copper only on inner layers (capacitance system), and that doesn’t really fit the standard Kicad workflow. I’ve been working mostly with directly drawn patterns, but I can’t seem to directly draw a non-plated hole.

Thanks.

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Obviously it’s possible to create a hole without a pad, as there are NPTH mounting holes in the footprint library. You could look at one to see how it’s done, or hack it to what you want.

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Is there a way to add a non-plated hole to a PCB without building a separate footprint to add a pad?

To add a NPT hole directly in the pcb editor is currently not supported, the current recommeded workflow is to add the NPTH with a footprint. You may upvote this already opened feature request for adding a slot/hole tool: Feature request: dedicated slot tool (#13013) · Issues · KiCad / KiCad Source Code / kicad · GitLab

possible workaround: just add a circle on the edge.cuts layer. This has advantages/disadvantages, for instance:

  • very fast and easy (yes, very good)
  • because it’s defined not as hole:
    • it will later be manufactured with a router bit instead of drilling
    • it doesn’t show up in the drill table
    • and because it’s no footprint you can’t search for this edge.cuts circles with the search tool
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Create symbol, add hole, save, add symbol to design, place symbol.

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I’m sure that big holes even defined as hole are made not by drilling but by milling. If they can make decision in this direction than probably for small holes they can also make such decision in opposite direction.

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Symbols are actually not needed. You just need a footprint (which already exists in KiCad library).
When in PCB Editor press A, search for mounting hole, choose the one you like, place it, in its properties tick “Not in schematic”.
That’s it.

1 Like
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Yeah, I meant that. Oops.

1 Like
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it’s very easy… you do it on the Edge-Cut layer

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I figured as much, but I thought I would double check as Kicad is always adding features and sometimes I miss new stuff.

Thanks for the pointer on about the slot tool issue. I upvoted it.

In addition, this also dovetails with Padstacks: support SMD pads on inner layers (#19127) · Tasks · KiCad / KiCad Source Code / kicad · GitLab as I’m having to add copper for capacitance but only on inner layers.