modified kikit script
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@@ -1,24 +1,306 @@
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## Panelize the board
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# Install kikit
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Install `kikit`:
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```bash
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pipx install --system-site-packages kikit
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```
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Panelize a finished PCB:
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```bash
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mkdir -p panel
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# KiKit Fixture Post-Processor
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Post-processing script for KiKit panelized PCBs that places any generated panel
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inside a fixed CNC fixture coordinate system.
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The script:
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- Centres the finished panel inside a predefined fixture opening
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- Adds mechanical alignment pin holes
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- Draws fixture reference geometry
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- Moves the complete design so the fixture origin is always at `(0, 0)`
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The resulting output is intended for repeatable CNC manufacturing workflows
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where drilling, routing, and UV exposure all share the same physical fixture
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and machine datum.
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---
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# Fixture Geometry
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## Outer Fixture Frame
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| Parameter | Value |
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|---|---|
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| Width | 200.0 mm |
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| Height | 130.0 mm |
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## Inner Fixture Opening
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| Parameter | Value |
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|---|---|
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| Width | 153.4 mm |
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| Height | 87.0 mm |
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The inner opening defines the usable panel area.
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The region between the outer frame and inner opening forms the fixture rails.
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---
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# Alignment Pins
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The script inserts four non-plated alignment holes:
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- Diameter: `Ø 3.172 mm NPTH`
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- Naming: `PIN1`–`PIN4`
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- Positioning: fully user-defined absolute coordinates
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This allows:
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- deterministic CNC coordinates
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- compatibility with existing jigs
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- custom asymmetric fixtures
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- reuse across multiple panel layouts
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---
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# Coordinate System
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After processing:
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- The fixture outer top-left corner is positioned at `(0, 0)`
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- All PCB data is translated accordingly
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- Every generated panel shares the same global coordinate system
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This creates deterministic CAM output suitable for automated tooling and
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repeatable fixture-based manufacturing.
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---
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# Usage
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Place `fixture_postprocess.py` next to the source `.kicad_pcb` file and run KiKit:
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```bash
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kikit panelize \
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--layout 'type: grid; rows: 1; cols: 2; space: 0mm' \
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--tabs 'type: fixed; width: 48mm; vcount: 1' \
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--cuts 'type: mousebites; drill: 1mm; spacing: 1.5mm' \
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--post 'origin: tl; script: move_to_origin.py' \
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--framing 'type: none' \
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../Flow_Controller.kicad_pcb panel/Flow_Controller_Panel.kicad_pcb
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-p myPreset.json \
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../Flow_Controller.kicad_pcb \
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panel/Flow_Controller_Panel.kicad_pcb
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```
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---
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# Panel Layout Parameters
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## Grid Layout
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Adjust the panel dimensions using:
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```text
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rows: <n>
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cols: <n>
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```
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Examples:
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- `1×1`
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- `1×2`
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- `2×2`
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The script automatically recalculates centering offsets for the resulting panel size.
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---
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## Tool Diameter Compensation
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The following values should match the routing tool diameter:
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```text
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space
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slotwidth
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```
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Example:
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```text
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space: 2.1mm
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slotwidth: 2.1mm
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```
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This is typically equal to the outline routing bit diameter.
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---
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# Processing Pipeline
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The post-processing script performs the following operations:
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1. Reads the fully panelized KiKit output
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2. Calculates the panel bounding box
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3. Calculates the offset required to centre the panel inside the fixture opening
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4. Translates the complete board dataset:
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- footprints
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- tracks
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- vias
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- zones
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- drawings
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- board outlines
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- substrate geometry
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- locked items
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5. Places four NPTH alignment pin footprints
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6. Draws fixture reference rectangles on the `User.1` layer
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7. Repositions the design so the fixture outer top-left corner equals `(0, 0)`
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---
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# Fixture Visualization
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The script draws two rectangles on the `User.1` layer:
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- Outer fixture boundary
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- Inner fixture opening
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These graphics:
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- are visible in KiCad
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- help verify positioning visually
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- are NOT placed on `Edge.Cuts`
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- are NOT exported into manufacturing Gerbers or NC drill files
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They exist purely as fixture reference geometry.
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---
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# CNC Workflow
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| Operation | File | Purpose |
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|---|---|---|
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| Drilling | Excellon `.drl` | PCB holes + fixture alignment pins |
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| Routing | `Edge.Cuts` Gerber | Board outlines and mousebite tabs |
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| UV exposure | Copper Gerbers | Soldermask/alignment registration |
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Because all outputs share:
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- identical `(0,0)` origin
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- identical alignment pin locations
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- identical fixture geometry
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the PCB can remain mounted in the same physical fixture for the complete process.
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No re-alignment or re-fixturing is required between operations.
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---
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# Alignment Pins
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The script inserts four non-plated alignment holes:
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- Diameter: `Ø 3.172 mm NPTH`
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- Naming: `PIN1`–`PIN4`
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Users may override any coordinate manually.
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---
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# Default Pin Placement Calculation
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For the default fixture dimensions:
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```python
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OUTER_W_MM = 200.0
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OUTER_H_MM = 130.0
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INNER_W_MM = 153.4
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INNER_H_MM = 87.0
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```
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the resulting suggested coordinates are:
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| Pin | X (mm) | Y (mm) |
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| PIN1 (top) | 100.0 | 10.75 |
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| PIN2 (right) | 188.35 | 65.0 |
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| PIN3 (bottom) | 100.0 | 119.25 |
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| PIN4 (left) | 11.65 | 65.0 |
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---
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# Fixture Configuration
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Edit the constants at the top of `fixture_postprocess.py`:
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```python
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# ============================================================
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# Fixture geometry
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# ============================================================
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OUTER_W_MM = 200.0
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OUTER_H_MM = 130.0
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INNER_W_MM = 153.4
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INNER_H_MM = 87.0
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# ============================================================
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# Alignment pins
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# Absolute fixture-space coordinates in millimetres
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# ============================================================
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PIN_DIAMETER_MM = 3.172
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# Suggested defaults:
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# top = centered in top rail
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# right = centered in right rail
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# bottom = centered in bottom rail
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# left = centered in left rail
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PIN1_X_MM = 100.0
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PIN1_Y_MM = 10.75
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PIN2_X_MM = 188.35
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PIN2_Y_MM = 65.0
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PIN3_X_MM = 100.0
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PIN3_Y_MM = 119.25
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PIN4_X_MM = 11.65
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PIN4_Y_MM = 65.0
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```
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These values may be adjusted freely without changing the placement logic.
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---
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# Design Constraints
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The generated panel must fit completely inside the inner fixture opening.
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If the panel exceeds the available space, the script emits:
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```text
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WARNING: panel … is larger than the inner opening
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```
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Possible solutions:
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- reduce `rows`
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- reduce `cols`
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- reduce KiKit frame width
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- reduce spacing
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- use a smaller PCB design
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---
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# Intended Use Case
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This workflow is intended for:
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- CNC isolation milling
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- UV mask alignment systems
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- repeatable prototyping fixtures
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- hybrid PCB manufacturing workflows
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- automated or semi-automated PCB handling
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The primary design goal is deterministic panel placement independent of PCB size.
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## Exporting gcode files from KiCad
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Reference in New Issue
Block a user