I’m using Kicad 5 and have designed a board that I like. I don’t know how to make connections to the board. I do not want an edge connector or any plugs/sockets on the board. What I want is just a couple of ‘vias’ (not sure what to call them), where I can just insert and solder a wire to the board. Thanks, Mike
They are called “pads.”
Just choose a single-pin connector as a footprint, and don’t install the connector.
Thanks for the help. Looks like I have some reading to do. Just for your information, I’m an 78 year old guy who only uses KiCad a few times and am self taught. So each time I use KiCad, I have to re learn a bunch of stuff, not including those items that I didn’t learn prior. KiCad is an excellent program, but it is complex. I have trouble finding information regarding what I need, mostly because I don’t think like those who wrote the program. For example that this item is a pad and that I should use Conn01. Anyway, I appreciate the help. Thanks, Mike
You can also make a footprint which is just one plated through hole. Ideally you should have a symbol for it so that it can be a complete component which agrees on the schematic and pcb.
I have footprints which are terminal blocks and have two or more plated through holes. Mainly now I am using terminal blocks with 5.08 mm hole pitch. These are inexpensive and work well.
Some years ago I used to connect power to my boards with (AWG12 or AWG14) bare copper wire soldered into a couple of PTH. The wires oxidize over time and for additional reasons I decided to quit doing this and started using terminal blocks instead.
I have several footprints which are home made test points. Those test points are a piece of AWG24 (some of them) or AWG20 (others) wire soldered into two PTH with a variety of lead spacing such as 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 inches. These are mainly intended for oscilloscope probe tip or alligator clip connections.
I would be happy to post some of these footprints, but they are now in 8.X. I doubt that you could read them with version 5.XX.
There are some wire solder pad footprints in the standard library. I think they are only singles.
My solution to this is to make spreadsheet containing all important from my point of view information.
Each tab is destined to separate subject (symbol, footprint, schematic, pcb, production output, 3D models).
Such spreadsheet can be used to fast remind all what you already known.
FWIW, I’m not 78 but I get frustrated when I learn something just well enough to do a thing, then don’t use the tool for six months (or 2 years), then have to relearn it. I’m starting to take notes as I go and dropping into OneNote (but most any tool would work), using screen shots and short phrases. Sometimes I print to pdf and drop that into my project folder.
Personally I like the idea of putting on a 2.54mm spacing connector, JST or Molex KK series, what-have-you. In the future, you could change your mind, and all the components are spaced away from that connector. Alternatively, you just insert the wire into hole and ignore the silk.
Anyhow. In a different tool I would normally just drop a pad, size it at least 10mils larger than the wire gauge I wanted to use, and then use an annular ring of at least 30mils if not larger. I don’t see the ability to drop a “pad”, and I know the vias will automatically tent. I don’t think I see a wirehole library, so if it was me (and it’s not) I’d probably make a wirehole library for the various sizes I might use (22g, 26, etc).
Actually: maybe drop a testpoint? Keystone 5000 series is their mini, and it is using a 1mm hole. That will work with 22g easily.
Wire’s and the Terminal’s for them…
Terminals are just that, ‘Terminals’ and you can set them to Size and Shape. Wire’s are just Graphic items and can make or download the STEP/WRL files… I have some posted here.
And, also posted here is my STEP Colorizer App with STEP files that can be used independent of the App
Some that I use…
Thanks for the help. I found the Conn01 and the terminal screws. They both work in a similar fashion. I also found something new to me, mounting holes.
The spreadsheet Idea is good, I may try that, if I can remember where I put it in the computer. Another problem with old age.
One thing I’m struggling with a little is the shape of the PCB. I want an ‘ELL’ shaped PCB, but each time I look at it in the 3D viewer, it comes out as rectangular. Need to do some more reading on this, but I think I can find the trouble. Thanks again, Mike
Must draw it on the Edge_Cut layer (or, if drawn on different layer, Must move it to Edge_Cut layer…)
Yup, I’m using the edge cut layer and I have rounded the corners. But when doing an DRC, it always finds a corner that it doesn’t like. I zoom in and it looks good to me. Then if I square off the corner the DRC picks one of my other rounded corners. To make the corners, I’m using the edge cut layer and the semi circle tool. I line up the ends as best as possible but DRC doesn’t like what I’m doing. Square corners work fine. Mike
Geeezzzzz… I have to take that back. I squared off all the corners and I still have the no complete loop on the edge cut. Mike
I have all my spreadsheets of that category in one place: MyName\Informations and then they are divided into subdirectories = categories. KiCad is in category Programs.
Well… I made a dumb mistake. One of my edge cut lines was a User line. I changed it and now it all works. Thanks for being patient, Mike (They are both Yellow)
I just had another idea. I have pads for all my wire connections to the PCB. I was thinking that if I changed all six pads to VIAS, then I could solder the wire on both sides of the PCB and it would be a strong connection. Am I thinking correctly? Mike
In general, soldering wires to through holes is a good idea. Much easier/cleaner/stronger than a lap joint to a flat pad.
Note that while vias are a type of plated through hole (PTH), it is best to place real footprints with plated through holes and pads so that you get the finished hole size you expect. Depending on the manufacturer, a via may have a relatively large negative tolerance that would prevent you from getting the wire you want through, while a PTH pad should have close to zero negative tolerance.
Wrong direction. Vias are typically covered by soldermask. If you use SMD pads replace tham with PTH pads and you will be able to solder at both sides. PTH pads are much more robust than SMD pads.
OK, which library are the PTH’s in. My list of libraries doesn’t have a ‘Through Hole’ library or anything like that. I did find a Mounting Hole Pad Via. Is that the PTH or must I download another library? Thanks, Mike. By the way my PCB is starting to shape up.
This should tell you Everything you want to know about Making a Terminal… Play around with the Pull-Down menus