PCB Design Companies that use Kicad

What is Kicad?

Kicad is a free and open-source electronic design automation (EDA) software that enables users to design electronic schematics and PCBs. It is a cross-platform software that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Kicad was developed by Jean-Pierre Charras and released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allows users to modify and distribute the software freely.

Kicad consists of several tools that work together to create a complete PCB design workflow. These tools include:

1. Eeschema: A schematic capture tool for creating electronic schematics
2. Pcbnew: A PCB layout editor for designing PCBs
3. GerbView: A Gerber file viewer for visualizing and inspecting Gerber files
4. Cvpcb: A tool for associating components with footprints
5. Bitmap2Component: A tool for converting bitmap images into component footprints

Benefits of using Kicad for PCB design

There are several benefits of using Kicad for PCB design, which have contributed to its growing popularity among PCB design companies. Some of these benefits include:

Cost-effective

Kicad is a free and open-source software, which means that PCB design companies can use it without incurring any licensing costs. This is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized companies that may not have the budget for expensive proprietary PCB design software.

Cross-platform compatibility

Kicad is a cross-platform software that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This means that PCB design companies can use Kicad on their preferred operating system without any compatibility issues.

Extensive features

Kicad offers a wide range of features that enable PCB design companies to create complex and high-quality PCBs. Some of these features include:

• Hierarchical schematic design
• Multi-sheet and multi-channel design
• 3D visualization of PCBs
• Advanced routing capabilities
• Customizable design rules
• Integration with version control systems

Active community support

Kicad has a large and active community of users and developers who contribute to the software’s development and provide support to other users. This means that PCB design companies can easily find solutions to their design challenges and stay up-to-date with the latest features and improvements in Kicad.

PCB design companies that use Kicad

Several PCB design companies have adopted Kicad as their primary PCB design software due to its cost-effectiveness, extensive features, and active community support. Some of these companies include:

1. OSH Park

OSH Park is a PCB manufacturing company that specializes in producing high-quality, low-cost PCBs for hobbyists and professionals. OSH Park uses Kicad as its primary PCB design software and provides extensive support and resources for Kicad users. They also offer a free Kicad library that contains footprints and symbols for various components.

2. Digi-Key Electronics

Digi-Key Electronics is a global electronic components distributor that offers a wide range of products and services for PCB design and manufacturing. Digi-Key Electronics uses Kicad for its PCB design services and provides extensive documentation and support for Kicad users. They also offer a Kicad library that contains footprints and symbols for various components.

3. JLCPCB

JLCPCB is a PCB manufacturing company that offers high-quality, low-cost PCBs for hobbyists and professionals. JLCPCB uses Kicad as one of its supported PCB design software and provides extensive documentation and support for Kicad users. They also offer a Kicad library that contains footprints and symbols for various components.

4. PCBWay

PCBWay is a PCB manufacturing company that offers high-quality, low-cost PCBs for hobbyists and professionals. PCBWay uses Kicad as one of its supported PCB design software and provides extensive documentation and support for Kicad users. They also offer a Kicad library that contains footprints and symbols for various components.

5. Dirty PCBs

Dirty PCBs is a PCB manufacturing company that specializes in producing high-quality, low-cost PCBs for hobbyists and professionals. Dirty PCBs uses Kicad as its primary PCB design software and provides extensive support and resources for Kicad users. They also offer a Kicad library that contains footprints and symbols for various components.

Challenges of using Kicad for PCB design

While Kicad offers several benefits for PCB design companies, there are also some challenges that users may face when using this software. Some of these challenges include:

Learning curve

Kicad has a steep learning curve, particularly for users who are new to PCB design or are used to other PCB design software. This means that PCB design companies may need to invest time and resources in training their employees to use Kicad effectively.

Limited support for advanced features

While Kicad offers a wide range of features for PCB design, it may not have the same level of support for advanced features as some proprietary PCB design software. This means that PCB design companies may need to find workarounds or alternative solutions for certain design challenges.

Integration with other tools

Kicad may not have the same level of integration with other tools and systems used in the PCB design and manufacturing process as some proprietary PCB design software. This means that PCB design companies may need to manually transfer data between different tools and systems, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Kicad suitable for complex PCB designs?
   Yes, Kicad offers a wide range of features that enable users to create complex and high-quality PCBs. However, users may need to invest time in learning how to use these features effectively.

2. Can Kicad be used for commercial PCB design?
   Yes, Kicad is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allows users to use the software for commercial purposes without any licensing costs.

3. Does Kicad have a library of components and footprints?
   Yes, Kicad has a built-in library of components and footprints. Additionally, several PCB design companies offer their own Kicad libraries that contain footprints and symbols for various components.

4. Can Kicad be used for multi-layer PCB design?
   Yes, Kicad supports multi-layer PCB design, allowing users to create PCBs with multiple layers and complex routing requirements.

5. Is Kicad compatible with other PCB manufacturing tools and processes?
   Yes, Kicad can generate output files in various formats, such as Gerber and Excellon, which are compatible with most PCB manufacturing tools and processes.

Conclusion

Kicad is a powerful and cost-effective PCB design software that has gained significant popularity among PCB design companies. Its open-source nature, extensive features, and active community support make it an attractive option for companies looking to create high-quality PCBs without incurring high licensing costs.

However, using Kicad also comes with some challenges, such as a steep learning curve and limited support for advanced features. PCB design companies need to carefully consider these challenges and weigh them against the benefits of using Kicad before adopting it as their primary PCB design software.

Ultimately, the decision to use Kicad for PCB design depends on the specific needs and resources of each company. By understanding the benefits and challenges of using Kicad and exploring the experiences of other PCB design companies that have adopted it, companies can make an informed decision about whether Kicad is the right choice for their PCB design needs.