Electronic – KiCad : How to create a footprint with thermal vias

footprintkicadsurface-mount

I have a SMD chip that gets pretty warm when operating and I want to try and design a footprint that allows more ventilation and extra copper to keep it in range.

Does anyone know of a tutorial that covers how to make footprints (MOD files) with vias through it?

Have Googled it, but could not find a lot about this topic.

I know that it's possible to manually change the MOD file with a text editor, maybe that's an option.

Best Answer

I have done it two ways.

  1. Don't change the footprint file but draw a zone on the top solder mask the size you want the metal to be. Then draw a zone on the copper layer that is connected to the same net as the SMD pad. It is especially convenient if that pad connects to ground. Change the zone properties to Pad connection: Solid so that it will fill completely. Now you can add vias to this area, if you are connecting between the top and ground that will give you more metal to dissipate heat. You might want to remove the preference Delete unconnected tracks, and any others that deal with deleting redundant tracks.

    Thermal Pad

  2. Do it from the footprint. Just add more pins (through hole) with the same pin number as the smd pad number. These will act as your thermal vias so size them appropriately.

    Thermal Pad 2

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