CERN releases its KiCad component libraries to the public, providing open schematic symbols and printed circuit board footprints for use with the open source PCB design software KiCad. The libraries are made available under the CERN Open Hardware License. According to reporting, the collection contains more than 17,000 components, supporting hardware designers who create circuits and PCB layouts with KiCad.
The releases build on CERN’s longer-term work with KiCad. Over time, CERN developed its own symbol and footprint libraries to support internal electronics design. The new step makes those libraries available beyond CERN, allowing designers worldwide to incorporate the components directly into their KiCad projects. Separately, coverage notes that KiCad users can submit KiCad design files to certain electronics fabricators directly, reducing or eliminating the traditional conversion step to Gerber files. Overall, the release expands access to CERN’s maintained component definitions and helps standardize PCB design elements within the KiCad ecosystem.
