KiCadFabrication

Get a board ready to order assembled from JLCPCB

Vector fills in LCSC part numbers, checks the bottom-side parts and the board edge, and exports Gerbers, drill files, a BOM, and a placement file in the format JLCPCB expects.

Download for Windows See it work

USB_Matrix — PCB Editor

FileEditViewPlaceRouteInspectToolsPreferencesHelp

Track: use netclass widthVia: use netclass sizesGrid: 0.1000 mm (3.94 mils)Zoom AutoF.Cu

Appearance

LayersObjectsNets

▶F.CuFront copper

In1.CuGND

In2.CuVLED, GND

B.CuBack copper

F.Paste

B.Paste

F.SilkscreenFront silkscreen

B.SilkscreenBack silkscreen

F.Mask

B.Mask

User.Drawings

Edge.CutsBoard outline

Margin

F.Courtyard

B.Courtyard

F.Fab

B.Fab

Presets (Ctrl+Tab):All Layers

Selection Filter

All itemsLocked itemsFootprintsTextTracksViasPadsGraphicsZonesRule AreasDimensionsOther items

Pads575Vias69Track Segments662Nodes575Nets154Unrouted0

Z 1.18X 113.5500 Y 116.9500dx 0.0000 dy 0.0000 dist 0.0000grid X 0.1000 Y 0.1000mmSelect item(s)

Works inside

Route a board and get it through DRC

In KiCad, Vector routes from the ratsnest, refills the planes, and runs DRC with schematic parity against your fab’s rules until it comes back clean.

See the example

USB_Matrix — PCB Editor

FileEditViewPlaceRouteInspectToolsPreferencesHelp

Track: use netclass widthVia: use netclass sizesGrid: 0.1000 mm (3.94 mils)Zoom AutoF.Cu

Design Rules Checker

Refill all zones before performing DRCReport all errors for each trackTest for parity between PCB and schematic

Violations (0)Unconnected items (0)Schematic parity (0)Ignored tests (5)

No violations. The board matches the schematic.

Run DRCClose

Appearance

LayersObjectsNets

▶F.CuFront copper

In1.CuGND

In2.CuVLED, GND

B.CuBack copper

F.Paste

B.Paste

F.SilkscreenFront silkscreen

B.SilkscreenBack silkscreen

F.Mask

B.Mask

User.Drawings

Edge.CutsBoard outline

Margin

F.Courtyard

B.Courtyard

F.Fab

B.Fab

Presets (Ctrl+Tab):All Layers

Selection Filter

All itemsLocked itemsFootprintsTextTracksViasPadsGraphicsZonesRule AreasDimensionsOther items

Pads575Vias69Track Segments662Nodes575Nets154Unrouted0

Z 1.18X 113.5500 Y 116.9500dx 0.0000 dy 0.0000 dist 0.0000grid X 0.1000 Y 0.1000mmSelect item(s)

USB_Matrix

Route the matrix board for JLCPCB’s 4-layer process: GND on In1, VLED and GND on In2, 0.15 mm clearance, 0.3 mm copper to edge. Then run DRC with schematic parity and fix what it finds.

The board is routed and DRC is clean against the JLCPCB 4-layer rules, with schematic parity on. I routed the LED field first, since it repeats: the D1 to D100 data chain and the VLED and GND rows on the top layer. That left 126 connections around the ESP32, USB-C connector, regulator, and switch on the bottom side, which Freerouting finished, for 662 track segments and 69 vias. In1 is solid ground, In2 carries VLED under the LEDs with ground around it, and the bottom layer is poured with ground. The first DRC run found 3 shorts, 6 courtyard overlaps, 6 starved thermal reliefs, and 3 solder mask bridges. They’re fixed, and the report now shows no violations, no unconnected items, and no differences from the schematic.

now

Vector

Simulate a circuit before you order it

Vector builds the SPICE model from your schematic, runs it in ngspice, and changes the circuit in the open editor when a part won’t hold up.

See the example

USB_Matrix — Schematic Editor

FileEditViewPlaceInspectSimulateToolsPreferencesHelp

Properties

USB_Matrix — Simulator

FileEditViewSimulationHelp

TRAN 0 6m

Signals

I(VBUS)

V(/VLED)

V(/+5V)

Measurements

MAX I(VBUS)270 mAMIN V(/+5V)4.89 VRISE V(/VLED)1.35 ms

Note: Simulation complete. 2 runs: as built (dashed), with C15 gate to drain and R8 10k.

Z 4.41X 254.00 Y 140.97dx 0.0000 dy 0.0000 dist 0.0000grid 1.27mmSelect item(s)

USB_Matrix

Before we order, simulate the LED rail turning on. There’s a lot of capacitance on VLED and I don’t want the USB supply to dip when Q1 switches on.

As built, switching on the LED rail draws a 2.47 A spike for about a tenth of a millisecond, because Q1 turns on fast and VLED has 44.7 µF on it. USB 5 V drops to 4.02 V during the spike, which is enough to trip some USB ports’ current limit. I moved C15 so it runs from Q1’s gate to its drain instead of its source, and raised R8, between the gate and Q2, from 4.7 kΩ to 10 kΩ. Q1 can now only turn on as fast as R8 charges C15, so VLED ramps up over 1.35 ms. The rerun peaks at 270 mA, and 5 V stays above 4.89 V. C15 keeps its value and footprint and R8 stays an 0402, so on the board the change is C15’s connection and R8’s value.

now

Vector

Case studies

All case studies

Rebuilt triple clamp shown as a native solid in Autodesk Fusion

Rebuilding a cast triple clamp from a 3D scan

An Artec 3D scan of a motorcycle triple clamp, rebuilt as a parametric model in 37 sketches. Change a bore, the spacing, or the web, and the casting rebuilds around it.

Read the case study

Four-speed gearbox assembly with the housing cover hidden

Designing a four-speed dog-clutch gearbox from a brief

A four-speed gearbox designed from a written brief: 93 solids, with all four ratios measured from the assembly in motion.

Read the case study

Heat-stake press assembly with extrusion column, pulley, arm, and base

Modeling NASA HUNCH’s heat-stake press from its drawing set

NASA HUNCH’s heat-stake press, modeled from its published drawing set: eleven custom parts, catalog hardware, and a working mechanism, checked against the sheets.

Read the case study

For engineering teams

Native, editable models

Vector builds with sketches, features, mates, and parameters, so anyone on your team can open the model and keep working on it by hand.

Uses the CAD you already have

It connects to the installation on your workstation. There’s nothing to migrate, and your files stay in the formats you use today.

Every change is listed

Each step shows up in the conversation with what it changed, so you can follow the work and check it afterward.

Checks its own work

Ask for a check and Vector measures the model: clearances, gear ratios, drawing callouts, and exported files.

Run a pilot on your own parts

We agree on the acceptance checks with your team before any work starts.

Talk to us Enterprise

Download Vector

Vector runs on Windows and works with Autodesk Fusion, SOLIDWORKS, Bambu Studio, and KiCad.

Download for Windows

Vector for Fusion, SOLIDWORKS, Bambu Studio, and KiCadDownload for Windows

Vector

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KiCadFabrication

Get a board ready to order assembled from JLCPCB

Vector fills in LCSC part numbers, checks the bottom-side parts and the board edge, and exports Gerbers, drill files, a BOM, and a placement file in the format JLCPCB expects.

Download for Windows See it work

USB_Matrix — PCB Editor

FileEditViewPlaceRouteInspectToolsPreferencesHelp

Track: use netclass widthVia: use netclass sizesGrid: 0.1000 mm (3.94 mils)Zoom AutoF.Cu

Appearance

LayersObjectsNets

▶F.CuFront copper

In1.CuGND

In2.CuVLED, GND

B.CuBack copper

F.Paste

B.Paste

F.SilkscreenFront silkscreen

B.SilkscreenBack silkscreen

F.Mask

B.Mask

User.Drawings

Edge.CutsBoard outline

Margin

F.Courtyard

B.Courtyard

F.Fab

B.Fab

Presets (Ctrl+Tab):All Layers

Selection Filter

All itemsLocked itemsFootprintsTextTracksViasPadsGraphicsZonesRule AreasDimensionsOther items

Pads575Vias69Track Segments662Nodes575Nets154Unrouted0

Z 1.18X 113.5500 Y 116.9500dx 0.0000 dy 0.0000 dist 0.0000grid X 0.1000 Y 0.1000mmSelect item(s)

Works inside