MS101 Makerspace

PCB Design in EasyEDA

Dip Ghodmare, Rhythm Gaidhani, Pradik Chahande, Shashank Yadav
Makerspace, IIT Bombay

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Setting Up a New Project
3. Creating the Schematic
○ Adding Components
○ Wiring Components
○ Annotating the Schematic
4. Designing the PCB
○ Converting Schematic to PCB
○ Placing Components
○ Routing the Traces
○ Adding Copper Areas and Silk Screen
○ Design Rule Check (DRC)
5. Generating Gerber Files

Introduction
EasyEDA is an online as well as offline tool for designing PCBs, allowing users to create
schematics, simulate circuits, and produce Gerber files for building hobby projects. This
document is a guide to design a PCB using EasyEDA.

Setting Up a New Project

1. Create an Account:
○ Go to EasyEDA's website and sign up for a free account.
○ Open the Pro version of it.
○ After signing in, the user will be directed to the EasyEDA workspace.
2. Start a New Project:
○ Click on "New Project" in the middle of the window.
○ New window will pop up to create a new project.
○ Enter a name, path and description for the project.
○ Click "Save" to start the project.
Creating the Schematic
Adding Components

1. Open the Schematic Editor:

a. Schematic window as default, If not then select project on the left side and
select schematic.
2. Search for Components:
a. To add the component select component from top menu or ( shift+f ), a new
pop up window will open as Device block, use the search option for the
components. ( As per Fig. no. 1 )
b. Copy the name of the components as given below in table no. 1 and paste it
in the search engine of EasyEDA and match the footprint name. If not found,
then select Filter through “System, Project OR Public” as given in Table 1
to match the footprint name.( As per Fig. no. 1 )
c. If Component is in the common library then select common library tab from
left. ( As per Fig. no. 1.1 )
d. Select the component with matching footprint and place it in the Schematic.

Fig. 1: Selection of Components for Placement in Schematic.

List of Components with footprint

Device Name Designat Footprint Common

Public
or Value library Project

3 Pin Female Header ARM1 HDR-TH_3P-P2.54-V-F

330Ω Resistor R1 RES-TH_BD2.4-L6.3-P10.30-D0.6 330Ω

330Ω Resistor R2 RES-TH_BD2.4-L6.3-P10.30-D0.6 330Ω

330Ω Resistor R3 RES-TH_BD2.4-L6.3-P10.30-D0.6 330Ω

LED CONN1 LED-TH_BD5.6-P2.54-FD 3 mm

LED PWR1 LED-TH_BD5.6-P2.54-FD 3 mm

LD1117AV33 U9 TO-220-3_L10.0-W4.5-P2.54-L

2 Pin Header BATT1 hdr-2x1/2.54

2 Pin Header ON_OFF1 hdr-2x1/2.54

10kΩ R4 RES-TH_BD2.7-L6.2-P10.20-D0.4 10kΩ

4.7kΩ R5 RES-TH_BD2.4-L6.3-P10.30-D0.6 4.7kΩ

ESP32DevelopmentB ESP32 DEVELOPMENT BOARD
oard U10 ABUOMAR

47uF C1 CAP-TH_BD5.0-P2.00-D0.8-FD 47uF

PS4 Joystick U2 ps4 joystick2

PS4 Joystick U12 ps4 joystick2

DO-41_BD2.4-L4.7-P8.70-D0.9-
Diode D1 RD 1N4007

oled_0.96_4pin_final H1 oled_0.96_ft

4.7K R6 RES-TH_BD2.4-L6.3-P10.30-D0.6 4.7K

Table. 1: List of Components with footprint name and Source.

3. Place Components:
a. Place the component in the Schematic as mentioned above for all the
components.
b. Arrange the components logically, keeping related components close to each
other as shown in Fig. 2.

Wiring Components

1. Connect Components:
○ Make a connection as given in the
schematic example shown in Fig. 2.
○ Use the "Wire" tool from the toolbar to
connect the components.
 ○ Click on one pin of a component and drag the wire to the corresponding pin of
another component.

Fig. 1.1: Example of Component

○ Pin label IN/OUT option can be used to keep the connection neat and clean
as well as to avoid any inter connection between the wires.( Fig. 1.1)

2. Add Power and Ground:

○ Double check while connecting the power connection.
○ Use the power and ground symbols from the library to connect the power
supply to the circuit.
○ Before switching to the PCB view make sure that the connections are proper.

Annotating the Schematic:

1. Add Labels and Text:

○ Use the "Text" tool to add labels to components, making the schematic more
understandable.
2. Assign Reference Designators:
○ Use the "Annotate" tool to automatically assign reference designators (e.g.,
R1, C1 OR X1 ) to the components.
Schematic View:

Fig. 2: Example of Component Placement in Schematic.

Designing the PCB

Converting Schematic to PCB

1. Convert to PCB:
○ After completing the schematic, click on save and then click "Design" >
"Convert to PCB".
○ A new window (Fig. 3) will pop up as a new PCB, select the units in mm,
copper layer “2”, Board outline as “Rectangular”, select the width and height
of the PCB or select “Custom” board outline to select dimension as per the
designer requirement and select “Apply”.
 ○ Maximum Dimensions of the PCB should be 130mm x 60mm. (In Fig. 4 the
designed PCB dimensions are 115mm x 56mm).

Fig. 3: New PCB Creation.

2. Placing Components

The components will automatically be placed on a new PCB canvas, once it gets
converted from schematic to PCB.

3. Arrange Components:
○ Drag the components to the desired locations on the PCB (Fig. 4)
○ Place components logically to minimise trace lengths and avoid overlap.
○ The centre to centre distance between the joystick footprints should be
between 80mm-100mm.

Fig. 4: Example of Converting Schematic to PCB. ( Dimensions 115mm x 56mm)

Routing the Traces

1. Manual Routing:
○ Use the "Route" tool to manually draw the traces between component pads.
○ Ensure that traces (track) do not cross each other, avoid sharp turns while
routing.
○ Track Width should be 1.25 mm for signal wire and for the power it should be
1.5 mm. ( As shown in Fig. 5 )

Fig. 5: Track width.

○ The pad size should be >1.6 mm. It makes soldering a lot easier, Click on
component pad, go to the property (on left hand side) > Size > edit diameter
to 1.6 or greater. (As shown in Fig. 6)
○ Try to make the PCB in Bottom layer only. (As shown in Fig. 7)
 Fig. 6: Track width.

Fig. 7: Layers of the PCB.

○ Add pads to mount the battery case to the PCB itself, and the hole size of this
pad should be 3mm so that 3mm nut and bolt can be used for mounting ( use
dimension as per battery case (39 & 40 location)).

2. Auto-Routing:
 ○ Alternatively, "Auto Router" tool can be used to automatically route all
connections.
○ Review the auto-routed traces for any potential issues.

○ It is better not to use auto routing and do manual routing as shown in Fig. 8.

3. Lock Components:
○ Once satisfied with the placement, right-click on a component and choose
"Lock" to fix its position.

Example of Routed PCB

Fig. 8: Example of manually Routed PCB.

Adding Copper Areas and Silk Screen

1. Copper Areas:
○ Draw the copper area on the desired layer (e.g., top layer, bottom layer).

2. Run DRC:

○ Click on "Design Rule Check (DRC)" to check for any design rule violations.
○ Fix any errors or warnings before proceeding.

Generating Gerber Files

1. Generate Gerber Files:
 ○Once the PCB design is complete, save the project and click
"Fabrication>PCB Fabrication File (Gerber).." > "Export Gerber".
○ Review the layers and settings, then click "Generate Gerber".
2. Download Gerber Files:
○ After the files are generated, download them to the computer.
○ These files can now be sent to a PCB manufacturer for production.

Fig. 9: Example of Gerber File Generation.

3. Download 3D file.
○ After downloading the Gerber file, Go to Files>Export “3D file” as a step
file.
○ This step file is further useful for creating the 3D case of the remote in Fusion
360.
4. Open the fusion then Go to File > Upload > Once uploaded Right click on the step file
and click add to the current design to initiate the 3D case design.

Additional Resources
Links

Designing PCBs with Easy EDA (Intro to Prototyping)

BEGINNERS PCB DESIGN USING EASY EDA...

Acknowledgement
We, the authors, would like to express our sincere gratitude to the management of the
Makerspace for giving us the opportunity to be part of the Makerspace, an innovative
learning environment.
We are deeply grateful to the dedicated staff of the Makerspace, whose tireless efforts and
expertise have been instrumental in maintaining and optimising this creative hub.
Our sincere gratitude goes to the faculty associated with the Makerspace, whose guidance
and mentorship have been invaluable in fostering a culture of innovation and hands-on
learning.
In addition, we would like to acknowledge Technoventor Innovations Pvt Ltd, our parent
organisation, for their pivotal role in setting up this state-of-the-art lab and allowing us to
learn and contribute in the Makerspace academic activities.