Instant PCB Pricing with KiCad Plugin Now Available
In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing and configuring Sierra Circuits' KiCad quote plugin. This plugin, designed to streamline the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) quoting process, can be downloaded either from the Sierra Circuits website or the KiCad PCM (Plugin and Content Manager) repository.
**Step 1: Preparing KiCad** Before installing the plugin, ensure you have KiCad installed on your system. KiCad is a powerful open-source PCB design suite, and it is crucial that you are familiar with its basic operation.
**Step 2: Downloading the Plugin from Sierra Circuits** 1. **Visit the Sierra Circuits Website**: Go to the Sierra Circuits website and navigate to the section related to the KiCad quote plugin. 2. **Download the Plugin**: Look for a download link specifically for the KiCad quote plugin. This will likely be a `.zip` file. 3. **Extract the Plugin**: Once downloaded, extract the plugin to a directory of your choice.
**Step 3: Installing the Plugin through KiCad** 1. **Open KiCad**: Launch KiCad on your computer. 2. **Access the Plugin Manager**: - Go to **Preferences** > **Manage Plugins**. - Alternatively, if the plugin is not available directly through the built-in PCM, you will need to manually add it.
3. **Manual Installation**: - Go to **Preferences** > **Manage Plugins**. - Click on **Add Plugin** and select the extracted plugin directory. - Ensure the plugin is enabled once added.
**Step 4: Configuring the Plugin** 1. **Configure Plugin Settings**: - Once installed, you may need to configure the plugin settings. This can involve setting up API keys or other specific options provided by Sierra Circuits. - The exact configuration steps will depend on the instructions provided by Sierra Circuits for their plugin.
**Step 5: Using the Plugin** 1. **Access the Plugin in KiCad**: - After installation and configuration, you should be able to use the plugin directly within KiCad to generate quotes. - Typically, this involves selecting the plugin from a menu or using a specific command within KiCad.
**Step 6: Testing the Plugin** 1. **Test the Plugin Functionality**: - Ensure the plugin is working as expected by generating a quote for a test project. - Verify that all necessary information is being passed correctly to Sierra Circuits.
If the plugin is available through the KiCad PCM repository, you can install it more directly by following these steps: 1. **Open KiCad** and go to **Preferences** > **Manage Plugins**. 2. **Launch PCM** (if it does not start automatically). 3. **Search for the Plugin**: - Within the PCM, search for the Sierra Circuits quote plugin. 4. **Install the Plugin**: - Click the **Install** button next to the plugin description. 5. **Restart KiCad**: - After installation, restart KiCad to ensure the plugin is fully loaded.
However, as of my last knowledge update, the specific steps for finding and installing the Sierra Circuits quote plugin via the KiCad PCM repository were not detailed. It is likely that the plugin is distributed directly from Sierra Circuits' website for easier management and updates. Always refer to Sierra Circuits' documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.
During the quoting process, you can search for components using the Value, MPN/VPN, or Description search, and the system sends a payment link to the purchasing person via email after the order is placed.
Board parameters include dimensions, quantities, number of layers, ITAR compliance, overall thickness, trace width and spacing, drill hole count, density, minimum size, minimum annular ring, slots and cutouts' count and plating status, silkscreen layer(s), soldermask layer(s), surface finish type and thickness, and electrical netlist testing.
If a customized material list is uploaded, the plugin automatically maps the line items. Discrepancies can be rectified manually using the respective drop-downs.
After modifying the quote, clicking "Re-calculate" is necessary to reflect the changes. To continue with the order, login is required after clicking "Login to Continue". A plugin icon will appear on the top of the toolbar after configuration.
To install the plugin from the KiCad PCM repository, open the KiCad tool and select Plugin and Content Manager (PCM) on the home page. To fix component line item errors, click on "Fix". The search assist window appears to help find alternatives.
To get the quote, click Get Quote after validating the information. The total price depends on the quantity of the board and the turnaround time. In the order details section, fill in shipping, billing, designer address, promo code (if any), payment info, tax and resale info, and choose a preferred shipping partner.
After validating the board parameters, click Validate to authenticate the provided information. If there are errors, they will be displayed as warnings. To install the plugin, download the zip file named create_quote_v4.2 from the website.
On the order confirmation page, notification preferences can be set as per the user's needs. After BOM validation, click on "Generate Quote" to proceed with the order. To create a quote using the plugin, launch the plugin, log into your account, and validate the board parameters.
- To utilize advanced features while working with the Sierra Circuits quote plugin, consider exploring additional gadgets and technology integrations available within the KiCad platform.
- As you proceed with designing your PCB, remember that the successful operation of the Sierra Circuits quote plugin relies heavily on the underlying technology of both the KiCad software and the Sierra Circuits platform.
