openinverter forum

As announced I have finally published the board layout for the openinverter V3 main board
https://github.com/jsphuebner/inverter-hardware (mainboardv1.2.*)

It is an updated revision that reflects the recent software changes

• no longer need to populate a jumper for single channel mode
• no longer need to vary resolver excitation resistors
• Relay flyback diodes in ULN2003 now permanently connected. If not wanted, a trace must be cut
• Added bypass cap for CAN transceiver
• Added open hardware logo

I want to point out that the design is licensed as "Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0". Among other things this means you must NOT touch any of the copyright info on the silk screen. Neither move it somewhere else, nor change size, nor make boards that have no silk screen in the first place. I am very proud of this design and it is a big motivation killer if I see boards without my name.

Apart from that you are free to make as many boards as you like, use them yourself or sell them.

EDIT: if anyone wants to contribute a KiCAD version with 3D-view that would be awesome.

Thank you

Nice! Thank you.

I am very proud of this design and it is a big motivation killer if I see boards without my name.

I've heard a few people here talking about this type of thing before, but they don't go into detail about how some people not only take commercial advantage of someone's hard work, but have the nerve to scrub the attribution off the boards. Either to hide the fact that the people profiting didn't do the work themselves, or to hide the fact that those customers could go elsewhere. They should be ashamed of themselves.

I wonder if the typical douchebag culprits are shops I've heard of, though I get that you might not want to call them out by name.

...

In any case, you should be proud of the design and of the community you've built. At this point I feel like I should have a dinner-plate-sized Open Inverter decal on my car. Except, I might do you more of a favor by not associating this community with my build

Hey Johannes,
No need for KiCAD for 3D, Eagle and Fusion360 can do it. Some of the parts need models, but quite a lot is already there:

There's an Eagle to KiCAD converter: https://github.com/lachlanA/eagle-to-kicad just seeing how well it works...

Doesn't look like it does too bad a job Needs some cleanup and 3D goodness but overall I'm pretty impressed!

A little more cleanup to package it and I'll put it up on my github. edit: render after fixing silkscreen for IC9 and mechanical holes.

johu wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 10:46 amI want to point out that the design is licensed as "Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0". Among other things this means you must NOT touch any of the copyright info on the silk screen. Neither move it somewhere else, nor change size, nor make boards that have no silk screen in the first place. I am very proud of this design and it is a big motivation killer if I see boards without my name.

I always used to put these on copper layers as well as silk screen, so you can't eliminate them by just omitting the silks. A friend used to incorporate then into active tracks.

KiCAD port now available at https://github.com/doobedoobedo/Huebner_Inverter

Wow that was quick Will check out the KiCAD version later.

MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:55 pm I wonder if the typical douchebag culprits are shops I've heard of, though I get that you might not want to call them out by name.

In any case, you should be proud of the design and of the community you've built. At this point I feel like I should have a dinner-plate-sized Open Inverter decal on my car. Except, I might do you more of a favor by not associating this community with my build

Well the conflict is settled with the companies present here. But I know there are other "players" who want to create the illusion that they invented it (without even re-arranging parts, so you'll spot it the moment you see it)
Yes do the decal, I'm sure its better than my ham fisted conversion

Just realized a tiny glitch: the decoupling cap C48 isn't connected to the CAN drivers GND pin directly. Otherwise it looks really great in 3D

SciroccoEV wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:37 pm per layers as well as silk screen, so you can't eliminate them by just omitting the silks. A friend used to incorporate then into active tracks.

Cool idea. Will see if I find an empty copper patch

johu wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:43 pm Just realized a tiny glitch: the decoupling cap C48 isn't connected to the CAN drivers GND pin directly. Otherwise it looks really great in 3D

Good spot. I've tweaked the copper pour settings and it joins up now. The conversion scripts I linked to before helped with the port immensely.

As for the copper layer, how about this, could maybe also add "openinverter.org"

Hey Johannes,

Can you use Damien's latest way JLCpcb to make and populate your Rev 3 board

doobedoobedo wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:46 pm As for the copper layer, how about this, could maybe also add "openinverter.org"
copyright_copper.jpg

Yes, I wasn't aware there was that much space on the bottom. I only always see the busy top side. Can you make it negative, I.e. leave out copper where the letters are?

zippy500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:00 am Can you use Damien's latest way JLCpcb to make and populate your Rev 3 board

Yes that is the plan now. Damien already checked and apparently it would be just 15€ per board. Finally the simplistic design pays off
EDIT: also it seems 4-Layer boards don't add much to the cost. Might be worthwhile making a GND and 5V layer (and 3V3 in processor proximity).

johu wrote: ↑Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:27 am Yes, I wasn't aware there was that much space on the bottom. I only always see the busy top side. Can you make it negative, I.e. leave out copper where the letters are?

It looks like it's possible using a custom footprint, probably generated by https://github.com/mtl/svg2mod. It looks like you can just remove solder mask with that too and make your name all shiny .

After much fiddling in inkscape, two footprints, one mask removed, one etched in the copper.

Might want to include a link, OpenInverter.org, so people know where to find out more rather than googling his name.

MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:51 am Might want to include a link, OpenInverter.org, so people know where to find out more rather than googling his name.

I suggested that in an earlier post.

I've not made any changes to github yet, but now I have the process for creating the footprints I can add pretty much anything in KiCad. Some fonts/characters don't turn out well from the script though . eg. © just comes out as an empty circle.

If Johannes wants either the mask or copper layer footprints added, with or without the URL then happy to do either.

Sorry, forgot to follow up. The solder mask negative looks good. Yes please add openinverter.org to it. Thanks

Will be updated on github in a bit. The footprint is completely reusable.

Footprint creation steps:

In inkscape rename the layer 'Mask' (if you want the copper version name the layer 'Cu') and create your text on it.
Create another layer below and draw a box around the text in it.
Select the text and choose the menu item Path|Object to path.
Select both the text and the box behind it and choose the menu item Path|Difference.
Save as file type Inkscape SVG.
In a terminal run 'python svg2mod.py -i /path/to/your.svg' this will create a file named your.kicad_mod - copy this file into a kicad .pretty library folder and use it from there.

I used the DejaVu Sans font as it seemed to turn out quite well. Some fonts work better than others...

Nice!