KarlAug 30, 2023

KiCAD experts:

I have a PCB that has some test points at the edge of the board, intended for alligator clips to bite on to.

But the pads extend past the edge of the board, which PCB manufacturers don't like.

Is there a way to set back the copper area from the board edge like you can with flood fills?

Show threadKrux
@supersat I'd probably create a custom pad, and set it to be just short of the edge of the board. barring that you could create flood fills for the pads, like the flood fill for ground, then add in an area to keep the solder mask out.
Aug 30, 2023 at 2:00amWeb
Show threadKarlAug 30, 2023

@krux the board edge is a complex shape, unfortunately

I could probably write some python to do this but I'd rather not

Show threadKruxAug 30, 2023
@supersat so sounds like your best option is a polygon fill for the pad, named whatever the net is that should be attached for the pad and shape in the solder mask stop layer to keep the mask off of it. then the magic of your board outline cuts off the copper according to the design rules.
Show threadKruxAug 30, 2023
@supersat i could do it in Eagle easily, but I've not actually used Kicad. I'm assuming it's essentially the same steps to do it