CNC-Friendly XIAO Recorder Design
Create a CNC-friendly raw-laminate prototype variant of the XIAO Lapel Audio Recorder. Use a 70x50 mm single-sided or CNC-mill-friendly PCB style with wide traces, generous clearances, large through-hole pads, and holes for replaceable components. Keep the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense socketed on female headers, two external INMP441 I2S microphones, button, status LED, LiPo battery connector, and SD-card recording support. Prioritize hand soldering, easy replacement, and CNC trace isolation over compactness.
Thought for 25 sec
I’ll convert the current layout into a CNC-friendly prototype variant: first I’ll inspect the schematic/layout, then set the board to 70×50 mm with a simple stackup and generous rules, then re-place components for hand soldering and CNC isolation, and finally run checks.
Worked for 6 mins 24 sec
Created the CNC-friendly prototype variant.
- Renamed it to XIAO Lapel Audio Recorder CNC Prototype and updated the description.
- Resized the PCB to 70 × 50 mm, 2-layer/raw-laminate-friendly.
- Applied wide-trace CNC rules: 0.8 mm default traces, 0.5 mm minimum, 0.8–1.0 mm keepouts, expanded pad openings, and hand-solder thermal relief.
- Removed the old compact routing so it can be re-routed cleanly for CNC isolation.
- Re-placed parts for hand soldering: XIAO socket/header area at the top, microphones spread left/right, LiPo connector on the bottom edge, button and LED on the front/bottom edge.
Review result: placement is usable with no overlap/out-of-board placement issues, but the board is intentionally unrouted now, so airwire errors remain. Manufacturer part number warnings also remain for generic passives and headers, which is expected for a prototype unless you want a finalized BOM.
Next step is routing with the new CNC-friendly wide traces. Want me to route it now?
Route top copper
Check CNC clearances
Add test pads
Show placement
