Select the whole object (using the arrow tool), and choose Component -> Group to make componentħ 10. Using the circle shaped tool from the tool menu, draw a circle around the resistor. Go to the selection tool (the arrow), choose that resistor and go to the Component menu at the top and select Ungroup componentĦ 8. Place a regular resistor on the layout (using the placement tool with Passive Resistor ). The easiest way to make new parts is to start with a symbol that s already close to what you want and modify it. Now we need to add some components (the photoresistor and the buzzer) that don t exist in the library. Use set component properties to assign all of these parts Part IDs, label them and position them (using the arrow tool) in a logical manner. Now add the capacitor, potentiometer, comparator, and transistor to the circuit by first clicking back on the component placement tool (the red op-amp symbol) and using the component names Passive-Capacitor polarized, Passive- Potentiometer, IC National - LM311 Comparator DIP-8, and Semiconductor Transistor NPN. Entering the Schematic into ExpressSCHĥ 6. However, doing the schematic first will allow you to link the schematic into the layout editor reducing the probability of error. It is possible to skip directly to the layout editor.
In the second stage you layout the circuit board. In the first stage, you build the schematic using the ExpressPCB schematic editor. For this tutorial, we will use a drawer burglar alarm circuit, which had the following form after testing on a breadboard: There are two stages remaining in the process to creating the circuit board.
It is also useful to have datasheets and dimensions for all of the special components such as transistors, ICs, sensors, actuators, etc., on hand. Before beginning the PCB process, you should come up with the initial design, build it and test it on a breadboard, fix any errors, and determine specific components.
If you prefer videos (and who doesn t love a good video tutorial/hate on a bad one), here are a few recommended ones: and Converting from hand-drawn schematic into a PCB This tutorial leads you through the design of a PCB using layout software from ExpressPCB, which is freeware available at Before beginning you should make sure your computer has both ExpressPCB and ExpressSCH, if not than you should download the software.
You can learn more about it and download the software free from these links: The remainder of this tutorial is an excellent introduction to the most commonly encountered features and issues working with PCB. And there are several popular commercial packages.
1 EXPRESS PCB TUTORIAL Author: Lee Morey Revised: JE Feb 2015 Getting Started There are several resources for learning how to layout schematics and PCBs.