Express PCB is a powerful tool for designing schematic diagrams and printed circuit boards (PCBs). This course, "Mastering Express PCB," equips learners with the knowledge to navigate the software, design complex circuits, and bring their PCB ideas to life. The course covers interface navigation, schematic creation, custom component design, and practical projects like digital temperature indicators and alcohol breath analyzers.

Section-Wise Writeup

Section 1: Introduction

This section introduces the course and highlights the capabilities of Express PCB, setting the stage for learners to explore its interface and tools.

Section 2: Express PCB Interface

Learners are guided through the user interface, including side toolbars and project organization. The section also covers component arrangement, symbol usage, and creating a basic schematic.

Section 3: Connecting Other Components

This section focuses on the step-by-step process of connecting circuit components, troubleshooting netlist errors, and ensuring circuit functionality through proper pin and ground terminal connections.

Section 4: Projects: Digital Temperature Indicator Schematic

Learners create a digital temperature indicator schematic, diving into custom component design, pin configurations, library usage, and schematic validation through netlist checks.

Section 5: Toolbar

The toolbar functionalities of Express PCB are explored in detail, with practical demonstrations to solidify understanding.

Section 6: Digital Temperature Indicator - PCB Design

Building on the schematic, this section transitions to PCB design. Learners will design the layout, configure components, and implement connections for the digital temperature indicator.

Section 7: Digital Temperature Indicator Custom Component Creation

Students learn advanced techniques like creating custom components, setting power traces, and finalizing PCB designs.

Section 8: Alcohol Breath Analyzer Schematic

This section introduces a second project: designing an alcohol breath analyzer. Topics include custom component creation, sensor integration, seven-segment display connections, and schematic finalization.

Section 9: Parked Vehicle Highway Flasher

Learners will work on a parked vehicle highway flasher, covering rerouting, netlist checks, and silk layer configurations for enhanced design clarity.

Section 10: Alcohol Breath Analyzer PCB Design

The course culminates with the PCB design for the alcohol breath analyzer, covering multi-layer PCB techniques, copper layers, pad properties, and connection troubleshooting.

Section 11: Conclusion

The course concludes with a summary of the skills acquired and an emphasis on applying these techniques to real-world PCB design projects.