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Very cool! Right now I need to create a PCB schematic given an original circular PCB (and get all of the spacing correct for the holes). I was thinking of using
by jrowley 12y ago
Very cool! Right now I need to create a PCB schematic given an original circular PCB (and get all of the spacing correct for the holes). I was thinking of using a scanner and am glad to see someone else is doing this successfully.
- analog31 12y agoA useful tip: Most PCB entry programs let you enter coordinate locations of parts and pads by hand, allowing for exact duplication of an existing layout.
- shabble 12y agoReverse to schematic, or reverse to board-layout ("gerber") level? The schematic typically doesn't care about things like hole spacing, although it might be attached as footprint metadata to a component. Once you have some nice clean scans which align properly, there exist programs[0] which will turn it into a netlist for you. Then when you're at the stage of producing the new board-layout, printouts (especially on transparencies) at 1:1 to compare against the original board are invaluable. [0] http://www.scancad.com/products/fab.php http://www.scancad.com/products/fab.php is one, I'm sure I've seen free/OSS ones though. https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:np318ty6250/Johnson_Reverse_Engineering_PCBs.pdf https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:np318ty6250/Johnson_R... is more what I'm thinking of, but doesn't appear to provide sources for their work.