Unable to get copper filled on top layer

Sashvat · Mar 9, 2020

Hi guys, I am using KiCAD for this project of mine. So I have a STM32F030R8T6 microcontroller and I made this board to make it breadboard friendly (a break out board) for prototyping, when I try to fill the top layer with copper, its not filling completely and only some places get filled. If you see, the bottom layer is full but the top layer is not completely filled with copper like the bottom layer. Let me know where I am going wrong.

Thank you

Pommie · Mar 9, 2020

Not familiar with kicad but it's fairly obvious that the fill can't get into the clear areas. If you reduce the through hole size it may be able to get between the pads.

Mike.

Sashvat · Mar 9, 2020

Pommie said:
Not familiar with kicad but it's fairly obvious that the fill can't get into the clear areas. If you reduce the through hole size it may be able to get between the pads.

Mike.

I was thinking of reducing the trace width, would it help?

Pommie · Mar 9, 2020

See if there is a minimum width in the fill parameters.

Mike.

Inquisitive · Mar 9, 2020

The keep out area or the size of the gap between pins is too big, so the fill cannot get between the pins as they are touching. Modify that and it will fill the area in.

Inq

Sashvat · Mar 9, 2020

Pommie said:
See if there is a minimum width in the fill parameters.

Mike.

would it be a good idea to give this one for production?

Sashvat · Mar 9, 2020

Inquisitive said:
The keep out area or the size of the gap between pins is too big, so the fill cannot get between the pins as they are touching. Modify that and it will fill the area in.

Inq

do you mean the pins for the male header or the microcontrollers pins?

Inquisitive · Mar 9, 2020

See this video. At around 13:00 minutes. John does a great job showing how to get up to speed with Kicad

eTech · Mar 9, 2020

Yup...copper fill clearance is set to large.

ronsimpson · Mar 9, 2020

eTech said:
Yup...copper fill clearance is set to large.

Go to your board house and find out the minimum line width and minimum clearance. You need good numbers.

eTech · Mar 9, 2020

I think this was meant for the
Anyway, I use 6-8 mills.

eT

Sashvat · Mar 10, 2020

thanks all, I took it down to 0.001mm of clearance, it worked, I hope its fine?

Pommie · Mar 10, 2020

Sashvat said:
thanks all, I took it down to 0.001mm of clearance, it worked, I hope its fine?

I'd check with whoever is making the boards if they can handle such a small clearance.

Mike.

Sashvat · Mar 10, 2020

Pommie said:
I'd check with whoever is making the boards if they can handle such a small clearance.

Mike.

PCB way or JLC PCB is my go to for getting the boards done, I'll keep doing some trial and error with the clearance.

gophert · Mar 12, 2020

Sashvat said:
JLC PCB

they can handle 0.003" traces and gaps but you are asking for 0.001mm (0.0000039"). You do realize that 0.001mm is one-micrometer, right?

Unable to get copper filled on top layer

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