initial commit

k2n.py

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+#!/usr/bin/python
+
+# This is a version of szczys's kicad-to-neoden, modified for use by the FemtoStar Project, so as to output the
+# format expected by the Neoden 3V we use. We admit - it's kind of hackish, and remains a work in progress.
+
+# Right now, this is not likely to work with negative X coordinates in the inputs, but will handle negative Y, which
+# KiCAD's .pos files use for objects in the +X/YY quadrant of the board in KiCAD's coordinate system.
+# This matches the quadrant KiCAD displays the page layout in, and so should usually be correct.
+
+from __future__ import print_function
+
+#Translator for converting KiCAD .pos files to .csv files for a NEODEN pick and place machine
+#Paste relevant rows of the .pos files below and chance the trailing_letter
+#to be "T" for top or "B" for bottom
+
+import fileinput
+import os
+import sys
+
+def transrotate(value):
+	if value <= 180:
+		return int(value)
+	else:
+		value -= 180
+		return int(0-(180-value))
+
+def process_pos_lines(pos_lists, min_y):
+        output_string = "Designator,Footprint,Mid X,Mid Y,Layer,Rotation,Comment\n"
+        output_string += ",,,,,,\n"
+        for line in pos_lists:
+                if line[0][0] == '#':
+                        continue
+
+                # fix to output package instead of value, matching order expected by machine
+                outline = line[0] + "," + line[2] + ","
+                outline += line[3].split('.')[0] + "." + line[3].split('.')[1][:2] + "mm,"
+
+		# fix to force all Y coordinates to be above zero
+                line[4] = str(float(line[4]) + abs(min_y) + 1)
+
+                outline += line[4].split('.')[0] + "." + line[4].split('.')[1][:2] + "mm,"
+                if line[-1] == "top":
+                        outline += "T,"
+                else:
+                        outline += "B,"
+
+                # fix to output value instead of package, matching order expected by machine
+                outline += str(transrotate(float(line[5]))) + "," + line[1]
+                output_string += outline + '\n'
+        return output_string
+
+# for above fix
+def find_min_y(pos_lines):
+        min_y = 0
+        for line in pos_lines:
+                if line[0][0] == '#':
+                        continue
+                print(float(line[4]))
+                if float(line[4]) < min_y:
+                        min_y = float(line[4])
+
+        return min_y
+
+def main():
+        if len(sys.argv) != 2:
+                print("Syntax error!")
+                print("Usage: python kicad_to_neoden.py your_position_file_from_kicad.pos")
+                return
+        #Turn input .pos file into a list of lists
+        pos_lines = list()
+        for line in fileinput.input():
+                pos_lines.append(line.strip('\n').split())
+
+        cur_dir = os.getcwd()
+        filename = fileinput.filename()
+        if filename[-4:] != ".pos":
+                print("WARNING: Input file doesn't have expected '.pos' extension")
+        print("Parsing " + filename)
+
+        # get the minimum Y coordinate on the board, to shift components up later
+        min_y = find_min_y(pos_lines)
+        print("Minimum Y coordinate on board: " + str(min_y))
+
+        neoden_format = process_pos_lines(pos_lines, min_y)
+        #Strip trailing newline character
+        if neoden_format[-2:] == '\n':
+                neoden_format = neoden_format[:-2]
+
+        print("Writing CSV file")
+        output_file = os.path.splitext(os.path.join(cur_dir,filename))[0]+"_neoden.csv"
+
+        with open(output_file, 'w') as ofile:
+                ofile.write(neoden_format)
+        print("Successfully wrote:",output_file)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+        main()

readme.md

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+#kicad_to_neoden for Neoden 3V
+Converter for automated PCB assembly from a KiCad POS file on the Neoden 3V pick-and-place machine
+
+This is a version of szczys's kicad-to-neoden, modified for use by the FemtoStar Project, so as to output the format expected by the Neoden 3V we use. We admit - it's kind of hackish, and remains a work in progress.
+
+
+NOTE: This currently expects your board to be in the +X/+Y or +X/-Y quadrant in the POS file. Most boards will be in +X/+Y in Pcbnew and +X/-Y in the POS file
+
+USAGE: k2n.py some-kicad-file-top.pos (will create some-kicad-file-top_neoden.csv)
+
+Notes on coordinates:
+- In KiCad editor, 0,0 is the top left, down is +Y
+- In KiCad POS file, 0,0 is still the top left, but down is -Y and your board is in the +X, -Y quadrant if it was in +X/+Y in KiCAD
+- On Neoden, in machine space, 0,0 is the front left corner of the machine.
+- The Neoden does not allow negative coordinates, even in board space, and will not let you enter them in the UI.
+- In POS files and on the machine, but NOT in the editor, higher-value Y coordinates are further UP the board - no "flipping" from the pos file is needed
+
+Conversion involves:
+- Finding minimum Y value in input POS file
+- Taking the absolute value of this
+- Adding this to all Y coordinates
+
+When setting up the Neoden:
+- The "first chip" coordinate you're supposed to set is NOT a fiducial even though it lets you optically align it, unless a fid is your first component
+- It's literally the first component in order to be placed, and it has to be set to this in machine space
+- Most component footprints cannot be easily aligned to using the Mark Align feature of the machine - do this manually
+- It's okay if you're a little off - placement of your board is still based on your fiducials, this is only used to find the fiducials to begin with
+- The CSV file this generates is NOT the CSV you can import from the Neoden's file manager - that includes feeder information, etc, not just components
+- To import this CSV file, create or copy a file, then click Edit on it, and import the CSV into the last tab - ensure components are added.
+- You will need to set fiducial coordinates manually, and mark fiducials as "Skip - Yes" to avoid "placing" them.
+- Pay attention to component heights, which you set on the machine itself - don't want to slam your parts into the board too hard.