Last start by saying I’m completely new to this, so I need your help.
A while ago i found a project to make a digital clock out of analog clocks (called "24 ClockClock), and now I want to start building one myself… Problem is, I have no knowledge of this area. I found a tutorial only, its a bit hard for me to understand, but im working my way through it. Lets start with the PBC I thought.
I didn’t find any actual KiCad files. There are only gerber files. But they are what you finally need in any case. You have to find a cheap PCB manufacturer (try a google search) and send them the gerbers and pay something. In return they’ll send you the physical boards you ordered.
The original was taken down over (dubious?) copyright claims? You have little chance of starting circuit board design with something like this without the schematics. Some knowledge of electronics and programming will be required. Are you at least familiar with these? If not, head over to the Arduino forum and start with some simple projects. Warning, this stuff can be addictive. Good luck.
Haha! Well I work in IT and I know some programming, if I get to that part I’m sure I will manage, its the electronics part I am a complete newb in haha…
Yes it was taken down bc of coprights, did you click the link? Is there some design I can work with or was that just a snapshot of the scheme?
To O/P: a very quick explanation of how PCBs are developed / made: Step 1, create a circuit diagram; Step 2 “map” the components used in the circuit diagram into “footprints”; Step 3: create a PCB, using those footprints, using KiCad to “join the dots”; Step 4 create “Gerber files” (kinda like printing) which you will use to actually get the PCB’s manufactured.
Steps 1,2 and 3 are done with KiCad, and use file formats proprietary to KiCad, whilst the “Gerbers” in step 4 are more “open”… Gerbers come from the world of machine tools: drop your “drill” here, move it to there, then there, then there, now lift the drill…" etc. A PCB is similar, but rather than drilling, it’s explaining where the tracks etc of the PCB will be (imagine using an inkjet on a 2-d plotter to “print the tracks”)
Looking at the website linked by “marekr”, you will find a set of Gerber files: you can use KiCad’s “Gerber Viewer” to view these. However, they are what they are, KiCad can NOT edit them :-(.
However, you CAN take those gerber files, upload them, then pay lots of money(*), and get PCBs made (and, incidentally, these sites will often let you view your gerber files too!)
(* if the PCB is smaller than 100mm x 100mm, then there are several places in China that will make you 10 PCB’s for about $20)
