fluidics

This repository contains code to help with design of fluidic circuits. It leverages the existing Free Software tools KiCAD and OpenSCAD to provide a complete, integrated workspace.

Components

Installing

First, one should install KiCAD and OpenSCAD. The following command should do the job in Debian or Ubuntu:

  sudo apt install kicad openscad

You can see what version of KiCAD you have installed with something like this (also Debian/Ubuntu):

  KICAD_VERSION=$(cut -d '.' -f 1,2 <<< "$(apt version kicad)")
  echo "$KICAD_VERSION"

Now, from the top-level directory in this package, install the provided KiCAD symbols and footprints:

  cp -r ./kicad/* ~/.local/share/kicad/"$KICAD_VERSION"/

Usage

Suppose there is a KiCAD project directory at my_project/. OpenSCAD files can be generated by running:

  path/to/fluidics/kiconvert.py my_project/

Then, a few files will be created within the project folder:

Features

• Basic graphics shapes.
• F.Cu, B.Cu, F.Mask and B.Mask.
• Edge.Cuts for arbitrary board shape.
• Custom scripts for components.
• Quick export script (e.g. invoke Cura).
• Silkscreen layers.
• KiCAD rules for coexisting non-fluidic wires.
• Inner copper layers.
• SPICE models for hydraulics.