Wishlist: support for plated-through cutouts

[Jakub Kozdon]

Plated slots aren't rendered.

I am using OSH Park where plated slots are defined in docs here - https://docs.oshpark.com/troubleshooting/cutouts-and-slots/

---

Application: kicad
Version: (5.0.0-rc2-dev-603-g5a05135), release build
Libraries:
    wxWidgets 3.0.2
    libcurl/7.38.0 OpenSSL/1.0.1t zlib/1.2.8 libidn/1.29 libssh2/1.4.3 librtmp/2.3
Platform: Linux 3.16.0-5-amd64 x86_64, 64 bit, Little endian, wxGTK
Build Info:
    wxWidgets: 3.0.2 (wchar_t,wx containers,compatible with 2.8) GTK+ 2.24
    Boost: 1.55.0
    Curl: 7.38.0
    Compiler: GCC 4.9.2 with C++ ABI 1002

Build settings:
    USE_WX_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=OFF
    USE_WX_OVERLAY=OFF
    KICAD_SCRIPTING=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_MODULES=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON=ON
    KICAD_SCRIPTING_ACTION_MENU=OFF
    BUILD_GITHUB_PLUGIN=ON
    KICAD_USE_OCE=OFF
    KICAD_SPICE=ON

[Jeff Young (jeyjey)]

@Jakub, I'm not sure what I'm looking at here. What is it that is supposed to be a slot? And how was it defined in Kicad? (As a drawing on the Edge Cuts layer, or as an oval PTH?)

[Jakub Kozdon (fldrivers)]

It's defined as drawing on Edge Cuts layer where copper of filled zone on both sides of PCB is touching Edge Cuts drawing (from both sides - from the expected plated slot and PCB side). Via inside slot is only information for manufacturer as defined in OSH park docs.

At least this should be rendered as non plated slot (non plated slots drawn in Edge Cuts layer are rendered correctly).

[Nick Østergaard (nickoe)]

Please attach a board file such that it is easy to understand your exact layout. But I admit I am not sure exactly how plated slots are defined before I read #3.

[Jeff Young (jeyjey)]

@Jakub, Kicad defines this as a "cutout". A "slot" (in Kicad) is an elongated hole (i.e. something that could be cut with a single translation of a milling cutter with a given diameter).

We don't at present support plated-through cutouts. Castellation has been on the wishlist for some time, so perhaps we could do this together with it.

[Jeff Young (jeyjey)]

See also https://bugs.launchpad.net/kicad/+bug/1536319.

[Benjamin (bvernoux)]

It will be very nice to have an update for that very important feature as of today Oval hole (in footprint) is a nice idea to support "plated-through cutouts / slots" but the generated Drill file with "G85 Drill Drag callouts." is not supported by any manufacturer as they all or > 90% support only Slots and cut-outs by doing:
SMD pads on both top and bottom layers and then drawing the Slots/Cutouts on Edge.Cuts(Board Outline) layer
See the link of multiple PCB Manufacturer:
- OSHPark http://docs.oshpark.com/troubleshooting/cutouts-and-slots/
- MacroFab https://macrofab.com/blog/plated-slots-stop-fitting-square-pegs-round-holes/
- SeeedStudio http://support.seeedstudio.com/knowledgebase/articles/1084123-how-do-plated-through-holes-slots-shows-on-the-ger
- Eurocircuits https://www.eurocircuits.com/blog/slots-and-cut-outs/

I do not know any PCB manufacturer supporting KiCad Drill file with "G85 Drill Drag callouts."

So please change your mind and add a check box to generate the Slots/Cutouts on Edge.Cuts from Oval Hole instead of this Drill file with "G85 Drill Drag callouts."

[KiCad Janitor (kicad-janitor)]

KiCad bug tracker has moved to Gitlab. This report is now available here: https://gitlab.com/kicad/code/kicad/-/issues/2133