I am trying to find a way to specify solder type for a through-hole PCB in KiCAD project. Specifically, I would like to specify that the solder must be lead-free. Can’t find anything like that in PCB Editor->File->Board Setup dialog, as it only has options for board material, solder paste material, but not for solder. Am I doing something wrong?
I’m guessing that by “solder paste material”, you mean “solder mask material” since solder paste is solder.
Normally, solder material type is not part of the PCB, but rather the assembly. You could specify solder type in an assembly notes document.
John
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Indeed. Soldering is a separate step from the PCB design.
KiCad does have a logo library, and it has (among others) logo’s for RoHS and WEEE.
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I took a little further look. The “solder paste” layer does not allow specification of the type of solder, because it is the layer that specifies the openings in the solder stencil, which is not part of the PCB, but rather used to apply solder to the PCB.
However, there are several layers suitable for user comments if you want this information bundled with the Gerber or other outputs.
John
I don’t get putting a RoHS logo in silkscreen as as noted, it’s not the design that makes it RoHS but rather the assembly. I’ve had vendors put their ‘tested’ stamp in silkscreen and found etching defects. Obviously the few I found with etching defects wasn’t really tested despite every board they delivered indicated they was, because they added it to the design in silkscreen.
Like a logo of a trashcan with a X on a buried PCBA in a product will keep it out of a landfill . . . In the USA, we have ‘recycle’ logos sprinkled about in most all things plastic, yet <5% of it actually gets recycled. I suspect e-waste isn’t any better.
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Soldering is not related to the PCB, you must specify lead-free to the assembler.
BUT! The boards have to be ordered lead-free to. That relates to the tinning of the board.
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