Script for creating a panel of different PCB designs in KiCAD using KiKit.

README.md

Panelize multiple different designs in KiCAD

Requires KiKit and is based on code from KiKit

KiKit only allows creating panels of the same design. Creating a panel from multiple boards has too many degrees of freedom to implement in a nice GUI. Hence, for creating such a panel, a scripting attempt is necessary.

This script creates a simple panel of two different designs of identical dimensions placed above each other. With including configuration it adds a rail on top and bottom and includes tabs with mouse bites in between boards and between board and rail.

You will have to adjust the script to your own needs This Gist is only meant to provide you with a working example.

Usage

Install KiKit, start KiCAD command prompt, navigate to appropriate directory, run python panelize_multiple.py

License

Derived from KiKit. Same MIT license.

Versions

Tested with KiCAD 7 and KiKit 1.1.0

panelize_multiple.py

from kikit import panelize_ui_impl as ki
from kikit.units import mm, deg
from kikit.panelize import Panel, BasicGridPosition, Origin
from pcbnewTransition.pcbnew import LoadBoard, VECTOR2I
from pcbnewTransition import pcbnew
from itertools import chain



############### Custom config
board1_path = "..\PA_EW2\PA_EW2.kicad_pcb"
board2_path = "..\PA4\PA4.kicad_pcb"
output_path = ".\PA4_And_PA_EW2.kicad_pcb"

board_spacing = 3*mm

################ KiKit Panel Config (Only deviations from default)

framing={
		"type": "railstb", #only rail on top and bottom
		"vspace" : "3mm", # space between board and rail
		"width": "6mm" # Width of the rail
	}
	
cuts =  {
		"type": "mousebites"
	}
tabs = { #Add tabs between board and board as well as board and rail
		"type":"spacing", #Place them with constant width and spacing 
		"vwidth": "5mm",
		"spacing" : "5mm"
	}
tooling = {
        "type": "3hole",
        "hoffset": "5mm",
        "voffset": "3mm",
        "size": "3mm"
    }

# Obtain full config by combining above with default
preset = ki.obtainPreset([], tabs=tabs, cuts=cuts, framing=framing, tooling=tooling)



################ Adjusted `panelize_ui#doPanelization`

# Prepare			
board1 = LoadBoard(board1_path)
board2 = LoadBoard(board2_path)
panel = Panel(output_path)


panel.inheritDesignSettings(board1)
panel.inheritProperties(board1)
panel.inheritTitleBlock(board1)




###### Manually build layout. Inspired by `panelize_ui_impl#buildLayout`
sourceArea1 = ki.readSourceArea(preset["source"], board1)
sourceArea2 = ki.readSourceArea(preset["source"], board2)

substrateCount = len(panel.substrates) # Store number of previous boards (probably 0)
# Prepare renaming nets and references
netRenamer = lambda x, y: "Board_{n}-{orig}".format(n=x, orig=y)
refRenamer = lambda x, y: "Board_{n}-{orig}".format(n=x, orig=y)

# Actually place the individual boards
# Use existing grid positioner
# Place two boards above each other
panelOrigin = VECTOR2I(0,0)
placer = BasicGridPosition(board_spacing, board_spacing) #HorSpace, VerSpace
area1 = panel.appendBoard(board1_path, panelOrigin + placer.position(0,0, None) , origin=Origin.Center, sourceArea=sourceArea1, netRenamer=netRenamer, refRenamer=refRenamer)
area2 = panel.appendBoard(board2_path, panelOrigin + placer.position(1,0, area1), origin=Origin.Center, sourceArea=sourceArea2, netRenamer=netRenamer, refRenamer=refRenamer,  inheritDrc=False)


substrates = panel.substrates[substrateCount:] # Collect set of newly added boards

# Prepare frame and partition
framingSubstrates = ki.dummyFramingSubstrate(substrates, preset)
panel.buildPartitionLineFromBB(framingSubstrates)
backboneCuts = ki.buildBackBone(preset["layout"], panel, substrates, preset)


######## --------------------- Continue doPanelization

tabCuts = ki.buildTabs(preset, panel, substrates, framingSubstrates)

frameCuts = ki.buildFraming(preset, panel)


ki.buildTooling(preset, panel)
ki.buildFiducials(preset, panel)
for textSection in ["text", "text2", "text3", "text4"]:
	ki.buildText(preset[textSection], panel)
ki.buildPostprocessing(preset["post"], panel)

ki.makeTabCuts(preset, panel, tabCuts)
ki.makeOtherCuts(preset, panel, chain(backboneCuts, frameCuts))


ki.buildCopperfill(preset["copperfill"], panel)

ki.setStackup(preset["source"], panel)
ki.setPageSize(preset["page"], panel, board1)
ki.positionPanel(preset["page"], panel)

ki.runUserScript(preset["post"], panel)

ki.buildDebugAnnotation(preset["debug"], panel)

panel.save(reconstructArcs=preset["post"]["reconstructarcs"],
		   refillAllZones=preset["post"]["refillzones"])