Introduction

This workshop aims to empower makers, electronics enthusiasts, and budding engineers with the skills needed to design and fabricate PCBs using KiCad—an open source electronic design automation tool. We will focus on a hands‐on project: designing and laying out a quartz clock PCB. Quartz clocks are classic yet practical applications that involve oscillator design and precision timing, making them an ideal demo project to illustrate the entire PCB design workflow. Participants will learn how to capture a schematic, assign component footprints, route the board, and generate fabrication files, all within the KiCad environment.

Details

1. Schematic Capture & Component Selection

Quartz Oscillator Circuit Fundamentals:

• Overview of how quartz crystals (typically 32.768 kHz watch crystals) establish precise timing using their piezoelectric properties.
• Discussion of load capacitance—calculating appropriate capacitor values to match the crystal’s load specification.
• Integration of a Pierce oscillator configuration (using an inverter) and an optional feedback resistor to ensure stable oscillation and proper biasing.

Component Library Management in KiCad:

• Demonstrate how to import and customize symbol libraries for key components (e.g., quartz crystal, load capacitors, resistors, inverter stages, frequency divider chips such as the 74HC4060 for a 1 Hz output).

2. PCB Layout & Routing Considerations

1. Footprint Assignment & Verification
2. Optimized Routing Techniques
3. Design Rule Checks & Verification

3. Fabrication Preparation

Generating and Reviewing Gerber Files:

• Step-by-step demonstration on generating Gerber files and drill files.

Troubleshooting & Optimization

4. Hands-On Session: Building a Quartz Clock PCB

Live Demonstration:

• A complete walkthrough—from capturing the schematic and selecting components to laying out the PCB, routing sensitive oscillator paths, and generating fabrication outputs.
• Detailed technical explanations at each step, ensuring participants understand both the “how” and the “why” behind each design decision.

Interactive Problem Solving:

• Participants will work on their own quartz clock PCB designs using sample files provided.

• By the end of the workshop, attendees will:
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• Gain Proficiency in KiCad 
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• Understand the integrated workflow from schematic capture to PCB layout and Gerber generation.
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• Learn Circuit Design Fundamentals 
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• Learn how quartz crystal oscillators work and how to integrate them into a clock circuit.
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• Practical Hands-On Experience
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• Work on a step-by-step design of a quartz clock PCB, exploring component selection, footprint assignment, and routing best practices.
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• Prepare for Fabrication
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• Generate and review fabrication outputs (Gerbers and drill files) with confidence to send to a PCB manufacturer.
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• Build a Foundation for Future Projects
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• Acquire practical skills that will help participants start designing their own open source hardware projects.