How many projects have you done on a protoboard and would like design a pcb? The printed circuit board is the final stage of the project and it is essential for us to test a prototype and launch our products.

However, many people find it difficult in how to design a pcb. In this article, we want to give you 7 tips about how to design a PCB with NEXTPCB Low Cost PCB.

First, we must start with a prototype at Protoboard, after assembling the circuit, perform all possible tests and ensure that it is working as desired. Subsequently, we must move to the stage of design a PCB from the drawing of the electronic schematic.

1 — Designing the Electronic Schematic

The electronic schematic of a project is a fundamental step. In this step, we will design the protoboard electronic scheme in software to design pcb.Among the various software, we recommend using Kicad software. It is free software, has a large community, and has 3D visualization, in order to facilitate the visualization of the final prototype.

Through this software, be aware of the design of your electronic diagram and avoid any error in the phase of drawing the electronic diagram. If an error occurs in this step, it will influence the design of the PCB layout, as the layout depends on the entire electronic diagram design.

In order to avoid errors in the layout, perform the assembly process from the built layout

First, disassemble the entire circuit, use your electronic software diagram and perform the assembly. If the project works, it means that the layout was designed correctly.

In addition, ensure a good organization in the structure of your layout. Always indicate the components with their respective names and values, use observation notes, and organize the regions of the electronic scheme by function blocks.

This will help you understand the functionality of each block and have an overview of your project organization.

Always remember, the organization of the layout of the electronic diagram is fundamental for the stage of design a PCB.

So, one of the things you should consider is to use the grid in your projects.

2 — Use the Grid in your Projects

The grid is a mesh with several divisions that use points or squares. Many beginners do not give importance, but it is crucial in the development of projects because it facilitates the orientation and organization of the electronic components in the diagram design and in the design a PCB project.

Below are two examples of using the grid. First, we have the grid in the drawing of the electronic diagram.

Figure 1 - Grid in Electronic Schematic.

Note that all elements are arranged at an equal distance and fully aligned vertically. This helps in the process of analyzing and visualizing the circuit.

Next, we have the application of the grid in the construction of the design a PCB.

Figure 2 - Grid in PCB Design Layout.

If you analyze the circuit board above, most of the components are aligned and symmetrical, because the grid allows us to organize and align them through the grid.

The result of this process is presented below.

Figure 3 - Result of the PCB Design.

Note that the 2 capacitors and LEDs are aligned and with practically equal distances between them. In addition, the CHIP is aligned with the LED and the resistor groups are in symmetrical regions.

Finally, we have a USB connection. Note that it is centralized with the electronic board structure.

Therefore, the grid is an organization tool, which was born with the aim of facilitating your organization and improving the quality of the design a pcb.

3 — Calculate the track width of the design a PCB

The tracks are like wires. They are the elements that allow the electric current to flow in your electronic circuit. As we know, the higher the value of the electric current, the larger the section of a conductor must be, so that it can allow the conduction of current.

In the design a PCB, it works with the same principle and therefore,...