A KiCAD (or generic) PCB ordering checklist

PCB_Ordering_Checklist.md

PCB Ordering Checklist

Check list is tailored for KiCAD, but applies to any software.

Main Checklist

1. Pages are "US Letter" if printing in Canada/US
2. Are footprints and symbols stored in the git repo correctly? Project library, with relative path links.
3. Print PCB on paper to check footprints
4. Check STM32 pin assignments with STM32CubeIDE, if applicable.
5. Revision and date?
6. Organization logo?
7. Electrical Rules Check
8. Mounting holes?
9. Update revision and date in schematic and PCB pages.
10. Ensure User.Drawings/Comments layers are empty, if submitting to PCBWay.
11. Tools > Cleanup Tracks and Vias
12. Design Rules Check
13. Generate teardrops (Edit > Edit Teardrops).
14. Round (fillet) PCB corners.
15. Design Rules Check again
16. View a render to check for issues.
17. Export renders, if applicable.
18. Export PDF schematic and gerber.
19. Git Commit.
20. Publish release with Schematic, BOM, Gerber.

Release Notes Contents

• Revision number
• Order details (date, manufacturer, stackup, assembly, cost)
• Attachments: Schematic, BOM, Gerber
• Optional: Change log since last release.
• Optional: Renders.

For Microcontroller-based Boards

1. Check STM32 pin assignments with STM32CubeIDE, if applicable.
2. Ensure there's an LED on a GPIO pin, and a GPIO broken out, for extreme debugging.
3. Place to probe external oscillators?

Advanced Review Details

1. If there are any LGA/BGA components (no exposed conductors), check for test points or easy pads to probe. Are the traces easy to follow to those probe points?