Generating BOM and CPL for JLCPCB SMT assembly in KiCAD

Here is a detailed video of how to place an order for SMT assembly with KiCAD.

Below you will find a summary of this video:

Adding LCSC to Symbol Properties

First start by opening your KiCAD project to the schematic viewer. Click on a component that you would like to include in your BOM and you will see the follow:

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Next, we need to add the LCSC number to the symbol properties. To find this, go to JLCPCB parts library and search for your component. Here we are looking for a 10k resistor with the footprint propertie 0603:

_images/BOM2.PNG

Ensure that the component is in stock and select the one that fits what you are looking for. When you click on the component, you will see some information regarding the component. You will need the LCSC Part #.

_images/BOM3.png

Now add a row titled “LCSC” and add the part #.

_images/BOM4.png

Repeat these steps for all the parts that you would like to have assembled.

Exporting Bill of Materials in JLCPCB Format

Once you have the LCSC # added to every component go to this this link to download it and then unpack it.

_images/BOM5.PNG

Next click on “Generate bill of materials” and add the BOM script to KiCAD. Click on “Add Plugin” and select the folder from the zip file that you just unpacked. Then, in the command line change the “%O” to “%O.csv” and click generate. This will generate the BOM in the correct format for JLCPCB.

_images/BOM6.png
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Generating CPL File

In the PCB editor, click on file -> Fabrication output -> Footprint position (.pos).

_images/BOM8.PNG

Export the file with the following settings.

_images/BOM9.PNG

Now, you must make the following changes to the file to be compliant with JLCPCB.

You must change the following cells:

  • Ref to Designator

  • PosX to Mid X

  • PosY to Mid Y

  • Rot to Rotation

  • Side to Layer

This is what the file will look like when exported from KiCAD:

_images/BOM10.PNG

After modifying the cells:

_images/BOM11.PNG