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yaqwsx / KiKit

Automation tools for KiCAD
https://yaqwsx.github.io/KiKit
MIT License
1.53k stars 201 forks source link

Option to change annotations on panelized boards #24

Closed Kedarius closed 4 years ago

Kedarius commented 4 years ago

Would it be possible to add an option to change the annotations on the panelized boards? Similar to what KiKit is doing with net names already. For example: D1->Board_1-D1.
I would like to create CPL file for the panelized boards so I can get boards made and assembled at one go at JLCPCB...

yaqwsx commented 4 years ago

It is easy to implement. What would be an ideal user interface for this feature? I am thinking something like: --renameref <format>, where the format is a user-supplied string containing {seq} and {orig}, e.g. Board_{seq}-{orig} in your case.

However, this will also change the silkscreen (this is how KiCAD works). And this brings me to a question - once you have a different silkscreen, is it usable, and doesn't it violate JLC-PCB free panelization policy? I would rather write to the support and asked if there is a different way to do it (without renaming the refs).

Kedarius commented 4 years ago

--renameref <format> as you propose would be great.

I have no idea if it would violate the panelization policy. All I did find is that:

  1. What are your requirements for the panelized board? Please panelize your boards with stamp holes, V-cut panels are not supported currently.

The idea is that I have very small boards (10mm x7mm) literally with one RGB led, one capacitor and a connector and I would like to have them made and assembled in quantity larger than 50:

  1. I want to order more than pieces, what can I do? You can panelize your boards to realize a quantity of more than pieces, please note there is a panel size limit of not bigger than 480x320mm.

I do not mind paying something extra, I do not want to exploit their cheap offer, I just want the boards to be made and assembled.... I've never ordered a panelized board from them and I have a mixed experience with their support because of their English... In the worst case I can hide the REF silkscreen and add my own fake REF :-)

yaqwsx commented 4 years ago

I implemented the feature in 4fd0a270645435bc9f38d93de8e440d1665874bc

Please try it. To install the dev version:

pip3 install --force --no-deps git+https://github.com/yaqwsx/KiKit@master
Kedarius commented 4 years ago

Thanks, it is working as expected.

bemmbix commented 8 months ago

Is it possible to set the start variable for the Panelnumber 'n'?

When I tried the panel renumbering with Board_{n}-{orig} it always starts with n=0. I tested Board_{n+1}-{orig} but it doesn't work.