pcb-jigify 0.1.0

PCB holder and testing jig generator

PCB Jigify!

Generate holding and testing jigs for your PCBs straight from your PCB files!

Additional features:

• embed magnets in the jigs
• include registration features
• tight KiCad integration

Installation

Using pipx (installation instructions) is recommended:

pipx install pcb-jigify

Usage

Holding jigs

This type of jig holds the PCB in place, for example for solder paste application.

KiCad

PCB Jigify integrates tightly with KiCad, but can also be used with other ECADs that are able to export DXF files.

Generate the jig

You can generate the most basic of jigs by passing in an input board, and output model file:

pcb-jigify holding --output holder.step pcb.kicad_pcb

Optional: place registration features

If you have any registration features (for example, pins, such as used in the eC-Registration system), you can generate a jig with them included.

For example, to use a mounting hole as a registration feature, edit the mounting hole footprint to include the paste and one of the user layers. We'll be using the User.Eco1 layer:

.

In manufacturing, this will cause the stencil to have the mounting hole etched through (because the paste layer indicates a stencil opening), the PCB drilled (as indicated by the drill point), and the holder to have a hole for press-fitting it (due to our very own User.Eco1 indicator).

Then, when generating the jig, pass the same registration layer, and how deep the registration features should be cut into the jig, for example"

pcb-jigify holding \
    --registration-layer User.Eco1 --registration-depth 2 \
    --output holder.step \
    pcb.kicad_pcb

to make a 2 mm cut into the jig using contents of User.Eco1 layer.

Note: the stencil, drilling and copper etching processes are separate parts of the manufacturing process. The quality of alignment of drilled holes in the PCB, etches in the stencil and the copper layer depends sorely on your manufacturer. In other words, know your limitations using this method.

DXF

DXF is a CAD file format many ECAD applications are able to output to.

Generate the jig

To generate a jig from DXF files, pass in the edge cuts file, and optionally the registration layer, for example:

pcb-jigify holding \
    [--registration-layer pcb-User_Eco1.dxf --registration-depth 2] \
    --output holder.step \
    pcb-Edge_Cuts.dxf

Testing jigs

Testing jigs utilizing pogo pins can be generated in a similar fashion.

pcb-jigify testing \
    [--registration-layer User.Eco1 --registration-depth 2] \
    --testing-layer User.Eco2 --test-probe-diameter 1 --test-probe-length 1 \
    --output tester.step \
    pcb.kicad_pcb