Introduction: PCB Transmitter Tutorial

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This project was an independent study, where I, Kaitlyn Mangano, as a senior Electrical Engineering student, created a IR transmitter in Fusion 360 PCB.

Supplies

  • Fusion 360 software
  • NE555 chip
  • IR Emitter
  • 220 ohm resistor
  • 0.01uF
  • 0.0047uF
  • 50K POT
  • 10K resistor
  • 12 volt power supply
  • Breadboard
  • Jumper wires
  • Soldering supplies/equipment

Step 1: The Circuit

I built the transmitter in the circuit provided at this link on a breadboard and tested it.

Step 2: Open Fusion 360

Once it was working properly, I opened Fusion 360 and clicked File -> New Electronics Design.

Step 3: New Schematic

On the top left side of the screen, I clicked New Schematic.

Step 4: All Libraries

On the left side of the screen, a window opened once I clicked new schematic. I looked for the Place Components section on the left hand side of the screen and clicked on it. Then, I made sure All Libraries was selected. 

Step 5: Components

I search for the following components and insert them by clicking on the components name and dragging it to the blank screen. I then released and clicked again.

Step 6: Rotate Components

To rotate components, I selected the object and then clicked the rotate icon in the modify tab and then held Ctrl and right clicked. 

Step 7: Connecting Components

To connect the components, I clicked the Net icon in the Connect tab. I clicked one end of a component and then I clicked the end of another component to connect them. 

Step 8: Labeling Components

To label the components, I clicked on the Modify section and then clicked Value. I then clicked on a component and doubled left clicked on one and this window opened up.

Step 9: Design

Once all the components are connected, rotated, and labeled, this is what my design looked like.

Step 10: PCB Document

To transfer this to a PCB document, I clicked Switch -> Switch to PCB document.

Step 11: Next Window

The next window looked like this.

Step 12: PCB Size

To change the size of the PCB, I left clicked on the edge of the gray square and dragged it inward. I did this until it was about the same size as all the components combine.

Step 13: Rearrange

I left clicked and dragged each component onto the board. I then tried to detangle some of the components by moving them around and rotating them. I made sure they were as close together as possible without having them overlap at all. 

Step 14: Route PCB

To route my PCB automatically, I clicked Quick Route -> Autorouter.

Step 15: Layers

This window popped up indicating the number of layers the board is. In this case, it is set as a two-layer board. On the right-hand side, I changed the effort to High. This indicates the amount of work the software will do to find the best option for me.

Step 16: Solutions

By clicking continue, this window popped up. This indicates how many solutions the algorithm is going to find. 

Step 17: Routing

By clicking start, the software finds several routing alternatives to choose from. I choose the 1st one because it has the least amount of Vias. Then, I clicked end job to finish my routing. I had resized the board, so it fit perfectly around all the components.

Step 18: PCB Board

My board now looked like this.

Step 19: Adding Text

To write my name onto the board, I clicked on the document tab -> Draw -> Text. I then played around with the size and position in this window that popped up.

Step 20: Gerber File

To create a Gerber file I clicked the manufacturing tab, clicked the manufacturing section, and clicked Export Gerber, NC Drill…

Step 21: Saving

This window opens up which consists of all the files that are going to be saved. By clicking OK, it had me save the zip file somewhere on my computer. 

Step 22: PCBWay

I went to PCBWay to purchase the boards and clicked + Gerber File.

Step 23: Specifications

Once the zip file was uploaded, the specifications below filled in themselves. The only thing I changed was to make the surface finish HASL lead free. The image below shows the specifications chosen. 

You're now ready to order!

I purchased the order without the components and soldered them on myself when it came in.

Tips:

  • When searching for components, you may need to turn on more libraries in order to find them. To do this, go to Place Components and click on the book with a gear on it next to All Libraries.
  • Fusion 360 PCB automatically makes a two-layer board.
  • Fusion 360 uses their own key to search up parts, for example, NE555 is *555*, therefore, it can be tricky to find components. Try searching them online first.