To achieve the porting of the sources, we first tried loading the Mentor Xpedition sources using the PCB Design Software Altium, and from there, export the sources to KiCad.

Providing source files created with a proprietary software is not ideal, therefore we have worked to convert the sources to the Open Source KiCad format. Now you can upload these with the assembly file to the Seeed Fusion PCBA order form.At the beginning of March the consultant engineer paid using the donation campaign provided us with the Mentor Xpedition source files of our PCB. Altium will generate the file in the same location as the PcbDoc file. At the very least, we need the Designator, x-y coordinates and the rotation. PcbDoc file and go to File -> Assembly Outputs -> Generates pick and place files.ĭepending on your version of Altium, you may be able to select which columns to include in your pick and place file. This will generate the necessary pick and place files.īundle these with the other assembly files and upload them to the Seeed Fusion PCBA order section. In the new window, select the output directory for the file and click Generate File. Open the pcb_kicad file and go to File -> Fabrication Outputs -> Footprint Position (.pos) File… Package these with the other assembly files and you can upload these to the Seeed Fusion PCB order form. Open the board layout (.brd file) and navigate to File -> Export -> Mount SMD.Įagle will ask you where to save the separate top and bottom pick and place files consecutively. Here are some guidelines on how to export these files from some popular PCB design software: Autodesk Eagle How do I export the pick and place files?

Most PCB design software can extract the component location and orientation directly from the board layout file to make the pick and place file.Įxample pick and place file (.POS file) from KiCad The pick and place file, is basically a list of all the components on the design and their respective x-y coordinates and rotation. Note: applies only to surface mount components, through hole boards do not need them. Having a pick and place file can help save time and improve accuracy. Pick and place machines can be programmed manually using a camera guide but this can take a long time for boards with many components and can result in errors. Pick and place or XY position files are helpful for automated SMT component placement.

Import kicad to altium