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Welcome to the LEA KiCad library

This repository contains a KiCad library for symbols, footprints and 3D-models including mouser material numbers to auto-generate BOMs (bill of materials) by using KiCost.

Features:

Install the library

Set library file path

Add this library to your project. Make sure that you use exactly the same Nicknames as shown here:

It is also possible to add both libraries to the Global Libraries.

Set environment variable for 3D models:

In the KiCad main menu, first select Preferences and then Configure Path. Replace the environment variable MODEL_3D with the current location of the 3D-models, e.g. /path/LEA_KiCad_Library/LEA_3D_Models. This should be the 3D-models for the LEA_KiCad_Library repository.

Note: if there is a variable KICADx_3DMODEL_DIR, ignore this variable and add MODEL_3D as mentioned above.

Using the library

Adding components

The main branch is protected. To add new components, open a new separate branch

git branch my-new-branch

Open KiCad, add your new symbols and footprints to the library. Each symbol should have the keys Manufacturer, manf# (manufacturer order number) and mouser# (mouser order number). Link the footprint and the 3D model. The 3D-model file path needs to be a relative path with the above mentioned environment variable. The 3D file path is e.g. ${MODEL_3D}/my3dmodel.stp. Run git status to see your changed files. Add the example files symbolfile and my3dmodel.stp to the staging area and commit the changes. Afterwards, use git push to publish the changes to the new branch.

git add symbolfile my3dmodel.stp
git commit -m "add new component xyz and 3D-model"
git push

Open the GitHub page, choose your branch and create a pull request.

BOM generation

The component library is aligned to use the add-on KiCost. Therefore the above mentioned keys Manufacturer, manf# and mouser# are mandatory in the symbol. In the schematic, navigate Tools -> create BOM and run a random one, e.g. bom_csv_grouped_by_value. Install KiCost, navigate via terminal to your KiCad project folder and enter kicost to your terminal. As input file, choose the .xml file what was created by the BOM command. After that, the KiCost BOM will be created. To get the prices and stock information from Mouser, create a Mouser API key on the Mouser homepage and enter it into the configuration file.

Pin labels

Connectors

Library type labels

For a better findability and sorting of the many components, it is necessary to use a type code. Some examples are given here.

SMD resistors

Differences:

Examples:

THT resistors

Differences:

Examples:

Capacitors

Examples:

Diodes

Examples:

Drivers

Hard to find general rules.

Examples:

Microcontrollers

Examples:

Logic ICs

Schmitt-trigger

Examples:

Checklist Layout order

Schematic

PCB

Ordering process