I want to create a PCB that has exposed tracks in the bottom of the board. It is for water sensor.
What I have done is to create a component which only has a mask layer. I then went and laid out the PCB track direct on top of the mask layer. Usually when I send the PCB out to be made professionally I know they put a coating on top of the tracks and if I want to solder on it for example I know that I need to scratch that layer of. The exposed section around the drill hole is exposed for soldering and I used that same layer to create the mask. Could anyone guide me as to if this will work as I need it to?
Secondly I have created a rectangular mark on the left side of the board that I need to be cut out (cutting inside) (file is eco2_user). Will this be as I need it to be and just tell the PCB guys I need that section to be “cutting inside”?
(Also I know of the section between the tracks and the component that does not link up, for some reason Kicad does not allow me to join it, But I made it the minimum distance so I can just scratch it off and solder on top.)
FYI my AV doesn’t allow me to open your link. Check the image below.
I’m not sure what are you asking but I expose my coppers tracks and/or components by adding filled zones on F.Mask or B.Mask layer. See below image for example of spark gaps on one of my boards.
They are just gerber files which I zipped for convenience. Also scanned it with virustotal. 0 viruses detected, so I don’t know why your AV is detecting the file as bad. Its just gerber files. If you want to have a second look please.
Your antivirus is full of crap. It’s flagging the website as bad, not the file - for the silliest reason imaginable: it’s a file-sharing site, so people can upload anything (including viruses). Well duh! That’s the point of a general-purpose file drop.
Stop relying so much on your antivirus, it’s too zealous. Scan the file itself if that makes you happy.
I’m sure that there are only gerbers I was just saying that maybe some AV will have trouble with it. I’ll have a look at it but was the any of that that I already wrote of any assistance. Did u try adding filled zones?
I agree, my AV is full of crap but this is company computer I cannot change that. I didn’t say that file contains virus just that AV doesn’t allow me to open the link…
I presume that you are asking on which layer to put routed cutout so that your manufacturer understands it. I think you should ask your manufacturing house for that. The one i work with wants all edges of the board and routed slots to be on the same layer. I think in KiCad it is Edge.Cuts layer. Again this differs with different manufacturers and processes they use. I worked with some that want the router path marked on a separate layer with simple lines.
I’ve marked the rect in the image below. I suppose this should be routed cutout. Problem is that the routing bit is round so your cutout usually has to have rounded corners that match the routing bit that your manufacturer uses. Also I see that the distance from the cutout to the board edge (i tried to mark it with red dim lines) if i’m right is 1.27 mm only and 91.7 mm long. My manufctr would refuse this as not structurally strong enough to be reliably routed.
