Hi All,
I’ve been itching to try out JLC PCB automated assembly for ages and it would appear that the foc mini is a good place to start. I would need several and possibly repeat orders over time.
Unfortunately I have zero experience in designing and ordering PCBs or the tools required to do it.
Could someone please point me to a good tutorial on how to take the data from the git and order an assembled board via JLC? There are several YouTube videos out there but they all seem to assume a level of basic knowledge on the tools and files etc.
Any constructive thoughts would be much appreciated!
Great choice starting with the FOC Mini—that’s actually a solid project for getting into PCB assembly
Since you’re completely new, I’d suggest breaking the process into a few simple steps rather than trying to learn everything at once:
1. Understand the files from GitHub
Most PCB projects (including FOC Mini) will include:
Gerber files → for PCB fabrication
BOM (Bill of Materials) → list of components
Pick & Place (CPL) file → tells the assembler where components go
If these aren’t ready, you’ll need to open the design in a tool like KiCad or EasyEDA to generate them.
2. Use JLCPCB Assembly service
On JLCPCB:
Upload Gerber → for PCB
Then select “PCBA / Assembly”
Upload BOM + CPL
Match components from their parts library (this part takes the most time as a beginner)
3. Watch beginner-focused tutorials
Search for “JLCPCB assembly step by step EasyEDA” — those tend to be more beginner-friendly compared to advanced KiCad workflows.
One honest tip:
The hardest part for beginners isn’t ordering—it’s preparing the files correctly and handling component selection/substitutions.
If you ever feel stuck, there are also services (like ours at LAVA3DP) that help with DFM checks, file preparation, and manufacturing support, especially if you plan to order multiple boards or scale later.
