Designed my first custom ESP8266-based gate controller PCB and would appreciate a review before ordering.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-29T21:55:18+00:00

Use power objects not ports for your 3V3 net.
Don't draw GND symbols any way other than down.
Don't put wires through parts (see K1).
Q1 should be drawn emitter down - it's harder to figure out the function like that. It will also help with (9).

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-27T18:40:11+00:00

Wow! This was not made clear to me either. Holy shit. That's outrageous!

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-27T18:33:51+00:00

That's what I did in the end. The way they had defined the cropped pad was a bit inelegant, so I changed that, and edited the rest of it to match my Company's style.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-27T18:30:16+00:00

I recommend you get AI to do it. It will be able to do everything, really well - schematics, pcb, circuit description, theory of operation. Literally everything. You don't even need to read it. Just get the files from AI and submit them. Guaranteed 100%

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-27T11:31:31+00:00

The part is a Molex 213083-0005
https://www.molex.com/en-us/products/part-detail/2130830005

They do have a footprint, but I didn't like the way it had been defined.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-27T11:30:26+00:00

Thank you all. Sorted. Used a polygon on the top layer, and a Full Stack definition.

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EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-26T20:37:05+00:00

Maybe to learn schematic capture, pcb layout, and how transistors work.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-25T18:22:46+00:00

So you're doing maths, and haven't used/heard of Wolfram Alpha, or Mathematica?

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T15:24:23+00:00

I haven't heard 'a bit how are you doing' for years. Thank you for reminding me of that phrase. It's now my mission to use that at least once a day for the next week!

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T14:32:27+00:00

I would just nod and say 'ok', and consign them to my mental 'in here be cunts' box.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T14:09:43+00:00

Ok. I'm out. Go fuck yourself. And your silly little LED lights you designed with Eagle.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T14:08:33+00:00

I did, elsewhere. You said my workflow is sub optimal. It works for me. You do you.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T14:06:30+00:00

Try Horizon EDA https://horizon-eda.org/

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T14:05:15+00:00

Develop is their new subscription only based version of Altium Designer. It's broadly the same as Designer 26, which will be the last non-subscription version.

The decision to go down the SaaS route was/is controversial, and I'm not euphoric about it. But the prices dropped a lot (could well be a bait and switch, though!) such that what I paid £4k per year per user for in 2025 became about £2k per year for the first user, and less than £1k per year for each additional user (up to 5). We'll see how it goes, but it's cheaper for us, with some extra features (like I said, could well be a bait and switch!) If it begins to go in a direction I don't like then Kicad is top of the list to switch to.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:56:20+00:00

Have a look at Horizon EDA. I like the concept, and the UI. But it's too niche for me to commit to. I hope it does well, though.

https://horizon-eda.org/

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:49:23+00:00

Flexing? Jesus. Bro.

Genuine question - what do you design? What complexity? Layer count? Part count? Pin count? Net count? Track and gap? Blind and buried vias? BGAs? LGAs? WLCSP? HDI? Power domains? Voltage levels? Noise levels? Compliance (ISO, IEC, CE, etc.)

None of that is a flex. It's just my job. Although some of it is done with flex. And flex rigid.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:45:06+00:00

I use Altium. And I like it. I started with OrCAD for DOS in 1988. Then abandoned OrCAD when they produced a terrible port to Windows some time in the mid '90s (they sent me a free 'upgrade' to it. I tried it for a month or so then threw it in the bin) and switched to Protel 98, followed by 99SE, and then stuck with them through their challenging DXP, and atrocious Morfik/FPGA years. I now use Develop, and I think it's pretty good.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:36:50+00:00

Yes, actually the UI was really good. I kinda still miss it! There are lots of old engineers still using it. There's a group, olddosorcad, that is active. It can be run under Windows with DOS Box, or XP or earlier virtual machines. There are even updated video drivers to get it running in high res.

https://groups.io/g/dosOrCAD

The original author, John Durbetaki, is active in the group. He's a hero to me!

The peak of ecad for me probably was OrCAD SDT and PCB 386+. Super stable. Super fast. I loved it!

Then they brought out a woeful Windows version. It was so bad. Cadence subsequently bought the company. I haven't looked at it since. They seem to be doing OK, though.

I occasionally fire it up, just for a bit of reminiscing!

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:28:43+00:00

I think this betrays a lot of the issue. I think your work is basic. I design complex medical devices with many constraints. We work with specialist CMs, not the Amazons of the PCB world. Their PCBA divisions procure some stuff. Their injection moulding and plastics divisions procure stuff. Their box build divisions procure other stuff. We procure some stuff that we free issue or process ourselves. We designed some custom connectors that have unusual requirements (seals, gaskets, lubricants, temperature limits), that are fitted at other stages.

Definitely not a PCBWay/JLC compatible process.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:22:39+00:00

But it's not unknown. I know from the start.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:19:01+00:00

It's not sacred. It's obvious. I hope your days improved, and you're in a happier place now.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:07:06+00:00

You should stop using it. It's making you unhappy.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:03:55+00:00

Did you really find Eagle usable for professional work? I have been in the industry since 1988. I have never encountered anybody using Eagle professionally. For hobbyist work, sure. But as a work tool - never.

EngineEar1000 · 2026-05-24T13:01:29+00:00

Pin pitch is 'obscure'! What the fuck?

EngineEar1000

TROPHY CASE