PCB Routeing

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EV_Builder
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PCB Routeing

Post by EV_Builder »

Ok guys never worked with Design spark (or other PCB programs) and i'm stuck with routeing.
If i use the autoroute function how do i get it to solve the routeing?
Is that the idea about auto-route?

How do you guys fix this? I'm now cutting out features but it doesn't help me allot i see.

Is it all complete manual work then?
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johu
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by johu »

I've never been too fond of auto routing. Spend as much time tidying up the results as I would have spend routing manually. Routing manually is certainly a Zen experience :)
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FJ3422
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by FJ3422 »

If you are new to PCB-designing, IMHO better not start with DesignSpark but use KiCad.
KiCad has default no autorouting, but after a few practices manual routing works very well and you can immediately take thing into account like track width for power lines, ground planes, insulation distance, somewhat matching tracklength of differential lines etc..
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EV_Builder
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by EV_Builder »

I used Damien's VCU project as a template so allot of stuff is already provided/configurated.
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see http://www.wdrautomatisering.nl for bespoke BMS modules.
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mayes8229
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by mayes8229 »

My 2 cents as an electrical hardware engineer: Don't use autoroute. It's almost useless.

Most routing is (or should be) completely manual. The exceptions are features that supplement manual routing such as interactive routing of differential pairs where you control the path traces take, but the design software makes sure trace length is equal and corners are shaped appropriately. There are other things like polygon pours or stitching vias that are done automatically within a specified area. These all depend on what features the design software has.

I'm not very active on the forum, so if there's context for what you're doing I probably missed it, but I'd be happy to review your routing when you finish if you're unsure. Also happy to offer some tips if you're having trouble getting started.
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by janosch »

My electronics guy told me about manual routing:

- do power lines first
- group logic lines together
- ground plane at the very end
- solder jumpers to divide bigger boards into sections

That has worked very well for me so far.
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Re: PCB Routeing

Post by EV_Builder »

Ok; I ended up using a site called fiverr.com.

And got myself some help over there :) 2 days waiting and it was done.

Order the PCB's (see hardware thread) so hopefully it works...
Converting an Porsche Panamera
see http://www.wdrautomatisering.nl for bespoke BMS modules.
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