PCBWay Plug-In for KiCad

Send Your PCB Layout to PCBWay with One Click – Now Easier Than Ever!

Ever imagined that after finishing your KiCad design, you could place an order on PCBWay in just one click? Well, it's now a reality—and it's not an April Fool's joke.

With the latest version of the PCBWay plugin for KiCad (released on July 11, 2024), you can now instantly send your design to us for production. Just click the PCBWay plugin button, and we’ll automatically generate all the necessary files for manufacturing:

• Correctly formatted Gerber files for production
• IPC-Netlist file
• BOM file containing full component details
• Pick and Place file for assembly

Once the files are uploaded, simply click "Save to Cart" to place your order in seconds. Our team will review the files before starting the production process to ensure everything is accurate and ready for manufacturing.

Note: The plugin has been updated for KiCad 8, allowing you to place direct assembly orders. However, to do so, we need the “Manufacturer Part Number” of each component. Make sure you run “Update Board from Schematic” and install the latest plugin version for full functionality.

How to Install the PCBWay Plugin for KiCad

To get started, open the "Plugin and Content Manager" from the main menu in KiCad and select the "PCBWay Plug-in for KiCad" from the list. It’s straightforward and requires no advanced technical skills.

Manual Installation Instructions

If you prefer to install manually, you can download the latest ZIP file from our GitHub repository at https://github.com/pcbway/PCBWay-Plug-in-for-Kicad. Then, use the "Install from File" option in the Plugin and Content Manager within KiCad.

Understanding BOM Files

The BOM file contains critical information about the components used in your design. To help us provide accurate quotes, make sure your schematic includes the following details:

• Designator (required)
• Quantity (required)
• MPN/Part Number (required)
• Package/Footprint (required)
• Manufacturer (optional)
• Description/Value (optional)

Simply add these properties to your schematic as shown in the image below:

As a proud sponsor of KiCad, we remain committed to supporting its development and helping the community create better electronics. We believe in open-source innovation and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience.

Note: We appreciate the contributions of the open-source community. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to reach out to us directly. While we're still learning to contribute on GitHub, we’re always eager to hear from users like you.