<aside> 💡 Use this template to describe the steps engineers should follow to use KiCAD, Altium, and Flux.ai. Create an example project or give students an option to use all three with their idea!

</aside>

1. KiCAD

Let’s get started with open source software to learn the basics!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaCVh2SAZY4&list=PL3bNyZYHcRSUhUXUt51W6nKvxx2ORvUQB

Setup

Ki CAD Website: https://www.kicad.org/

Libraries

• Search for libraries
  • Go through Digikey Kicad Library
  • Download library through GitHub
• Libraries allow for more symbols and footprints

Challenge 1: Try it yourself (Kicad)

Create a 555 timer circuit or design in KiCAD with your OWN PCB Design:

Open the schematic editor in Kicad.

Start off by adding all the necessary components to the schematic.

• Go to add symbols on the right panel
• Add a 555 IC, 3 resistors (1kohm), 2 capacitors, and 1 LED
  • When adding a 555 IC, you’ll notice there are many different options for this IC that you can chose. For this example, just use ICM7555xP
• Values can be added to the components by right-clicking them and going to properties. There you can see a field called Value that can be edited.

Connect all the components based on the schematic above.

• Select add wire either by pressing W or selecting it from the right panel