How to auto-route in only .brd file

Question

I have a .brd file with 100 pairs of through-hole vias (see the green vias in attached image). Each pair is supposed to be used as power and ground for micro-devices.

The via's outer diameter is .5 mm and the actual via hole is .15 mm. Since it is quite difficult to solder to such small vias to wires, I was thinking about routing traces from vias to pads for pin headers at the edge of the board.

The problem is since this is a .brd file (no schematic) and there is no other components except vias I cannot use the autoroute function. Is there a way to auto-route the traces from vias to pads for external header connectors?

dukepro · Accepted Answer

On 01/04/2018 05:24 PM, warrenbrayshaw wrote: On 4/01/2018 9:32 p.m., J. Martens wrote: Eagle must know the signal name of connected vias. So give them one and you see the connection as ribbon on layer 19 tha can be routed. -- To view any images and attachments in this post, visit: https://www.element14.com/community/message/233082 When there is only the board, the above does not achieve the airwires/nets/signals. Rememeber there is no schematic and hence there are no known nets or connections. When creating the SIGNAL it cannot be connected to the via but if the signal is created first and then you name the via, it will pick up an airwire. The problem is, the OP talks of a header where one pad of which connects to the via. To get the signal in the first place, the header pad needs to connect to another pad or SMD. It cannot be established to a named via. Once you have a signal between two pads, you can view the name of the signal on the header pad and then name the respective via and an airwire will appear. Then you can delete the unwanted airwire and the other package that was used to get a pad temporarily for the first step. HTH Warren I would suggest that the OP create a simple schematic, then build the board from that. Taking the little bit of time to do this will greatly reduce the probability of a wiring mistake being made. Best regards, - Chuck 
 Attachments: 4276.att1.html.zip

elliiot14 · Answer

Eagle must know the signal name of connected vias. Name them, after there are unrouted "ribbons" between equal named vias (Layer 19).

autodeskguest · Answer

On 4/01/2018 12:57 p.m., Tanvir Ahmad wrote:

I have a .brd file with 100 pairs of through-hole vias (see the green vias in attached image). Each pair is supposed to be used as power and ground for micro-devices.

The via's outer diameter is .5 mm and the actual via hole is .15 mm. Since it is quite difficult to solder to such small vias to wires, I was thinking about routing traces from vias to pads for pin headers at the edge of the board.

The problem is since this is a .brd fle and there is no other components except vias I cannot use the autoroute function. Is there a way to auto-route the traces from vias to pads for external header connectors?

--
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Hi

I suspect your approach may not be the best.

A few questions:

Does there have to be a trace out to the header pin for every via?

That's 200 header pins. Or if they are power and ground can all the

grounds and power vias be connected and a single trace taken to a 2 pin

header?

Do your micro devices have wires that fit through the 0.15mm holes?

Perhaps they are surface mount devices.

Even when working with just the board it is usually preferable to use

packages from a library. That would give you a pad or smd to run a

signal between on the board an then the auto router will work.

Let us know

Warren

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autodeskguest · Answer

On 4/01/2018 9:32 p.m., J. Martens wrote: Eagle must know the signal name of connected vias. So give them one and you see the connection as ribbon on layer 19 tha can be routed. -- To view any images and attachments in this post, visit: https://www.element14.com/community/message/233082 When there is only the board, the above does not achieve the airwires/nets/signals. Rememeber there is no schematic and hence there are no known nets or connections. When creating the SIGNAL it cannot be connected to the via but if the signal is created first and then you name the via, it will pick up an airwire. The problem is, the OP talks of a header where one pad of which connects to the via. To get the signal in the first place, the header pad needs to connect to another pad or SMD. It cannot be established to a named via. Once you have a signal between two pads, you can view the name of the signal on the header pad and then name the respective via and an airwire will appear. Then you can delete the unwanted airwire and the other package that was used to get a pad temporarily for the first step. HTH Warren -- ... use NNTP://news.cadsoft.de and a functional news reader like Thunderbird! --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

How to auto-route in only .brd file

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