Hi, all!

Is there an easy way to change the size/shape of the holes of a DIP IC on EasyEDA so they can accommodate a ZIF socket instead? The pins of a ZIP socket are rectangular (the longer side being about 1mm), and won't go through the holes of a DIP IC with the same number of pins. It occurred to me that I could make a hole that fits the pins of a ZIF socket, and put an instance of it on each one of the holes of the DIP's footprint (making the original hole concentric to the new hole), but I'm sure there must be an easier way. I investigated a little, and all I could do was change the shape and width of the track around the holes, but not the holes themselves. Thanks!

 

The pins of that ZIF socket will fit thru some diameter of round hole and be a slight press fit. Use that diameter of round holes. It is quite difficult to drill holes that are not round.

 

To change the holes for a ZIF socket in EasyEDA, I would go into the footprint editor and adjust the pad size. I’d set the hole diameter to around 1.2mm or 1.3mm to fit the ZIF pins since they’re rectangular. EasyEDA might not support rectangular holes, but using slightly larger round holes should work fine for the socket.

 

It's actually easy to make a footprint with slots in EasyEDA (standard version). Click file/new/footprint to get started.

Set the units to mils and the snap size to 50 mils.

Select the pad tool from the menu, and select "slot" as hole shape. Set the slot dimensions just bigger than the pin, and the pad dimensions slightly larger to provide an angular ring. The pin pitch will be 100mils, and the spacing between rows is 300mils....150mils either side of zero. Number each pin appropriately.

 

Change the extension to json and file/open EasyEDA to import the footprint. File at bottom.

 

After creating all of those holes, the ask just how will they be produced in an actual fabrication process. Then think carefully about that!!
They would need to be either milled or punched, and milling that many holes will take time. Punching them will require a not-standard tool.
Just because something can be drawn does not mean it can be easily produced!

 

Since it is a standard feature in EasyEDA, a layout package designed and provided by JLCPCB, who offer the software as an enticement to buy boards from them, I must assume they know how to make slotted pads.

Have you never seen slotted pads in footprints for DC barrel jacks?

 

Since it is a standard feature in EasyEDA, a layout package designed and provided by JLCPCB, who offer the software as an enticement to buy boards from them, I must assume they know how to make slotted pads.

Have you never seen slotted pads in footprints for DC barrel jacks?

DC barrel jacks seem to all use the same set of holes, and so it seems that a standard punch would be used.
Also, is the TS looking for a one-off production or a run of a few hundreds or thousands?

 

I guess you're not familiar with Chinese fabs. JLC will make 10 double-sided pcbs of 100mm × 100mm or smaller ( that's a bit less than 4" × 4" if you don't know the metric system), with soldermask and silk screen on both sides, for $2. That's not $2 per board, it's $2 for 10 boards ( or only 5 if you like).

 

I was able to figure out a solution. Once I'm designing the PCB, I can go to the different holes and the track around the hole, and change the shape and the diameter(s). I'm attaching pictures of what I changed and the result.

I'm doing this on EasyEDA and ordering from JLCPCB, so they'll be the ones producing the board and going through the pain of drilling the non-round holes (only it won't be any pain for them because, since they offer the option, they should have the appropriate machinery).

 

You might want to make the pads a bit narrower to reduce the chance of solder shorts between pads.

Also, move the tracks further away from the pads. You have room – use it to prevent shorts.

 

You might want to make the pads a bit narrower to reduce the chance of solder shorts between pads.

Also, move the tracks further away from the pads. You have room – use it to prevent shorts.

Thanks. I used autoroute, but I'll move the tracks away from the pads.

 

Rounded corners on the pads also reduce the tendency toward solder bridges a bit.