Electronics Tools

The MCP server includes seven tools for electronic design: schematic capture, PCB layout, validation, fabrication export, and impedance calculation. These operate on electronics data embedded in the vcad document alongside mechanical geometry, enabling integrated MCAD/ECAD workflows.

create_schematic

Creates a schematic sheet with components, wires, and net labels. This is the starting point for any electronics design -- define your components and their connections, and the tool generates a netlist that drives PCB layout.

Component Definition

Pin Definition

Return Value

Returns the document with schematic data attached, plus a summary of components, wires, and labels created.

place_components

Takes a document with schematic data and creates a PCB with placed footprints, board outline, layer stackup, and design rules.

The tool generates a 2-layer stackup (F.Cu/B.Cu with 35um copper on 1.53mm FR4 core, Er=4.5) and default design rules (0.25mm trace, 0.2mm clearance, 0.8mm via, 0.4mm drill, 0.5mm edge clearance). Components are placed on the front copper layer with pads created from schematic pin data.

The board also appears as a 3D node in the document, rendered with FR4-green material in the viewport.

route_nets

Routes copper traces between pads on a PCB based on the netlist.

The router uses direct point-to-point connections on the front copper layer. For each net with two or more pads, it creates traces connecting pads sequentially. Returns a summary of nets routed and traces added.

run_drc

Runs Design Rule Check on a PCB layout, validating physical manufacturing constraints.

Checks Performed

Return Value

{
  "success": true,
  "violations": 2,
  "errors": 1,
  "warnings": 1,
  "details": [
    {
      "rule": "MinTraceWidth",
      "severity": "Error",
      "message": "Trace width 0.15mm < minimum 0.25mm",
      "position": { "x": 12.5, "y": 8.3 }
    }
  ]
}

Each violation includes the rule name, severity (Error or Warning), a descriptive message, and the board position where the violation occurs.

run_erc

Runs Electrical Rule Check on a schematic, validating logical correctness.

Checks Performed

Return Value

Same format as run_drc: a summary with violation count and detailed error/warning list.

export_gerber

Exports Gerber RS-274X fabrication files, drill files, BOM, and pick-and-place data for PCB manufacturing.

Output Files

The tool generates one Gerber file per copper and mask layer found in the design, plus drill and assembly files. Only layers that contain features are exported.

calc_impedance

Calculates trace impedance for controlled-impedance routing. Supports microstrip, stripline, and differential pair configurations.

Return Value

{
  "z0": 50.23,
  "er_eff": 3.456,
  "delay_ps_per_mm": 6.198,
  "trace_type": "microstrip",
  "inputs": {
    "trace_width": 0.2,
    "copper_thickness": 0.035,
    "dielectric_height": 0.2,
    "dielectric_er": 4.5
  }
}

The impedance calculations use closed-form approximations (Hammerstad-Jensen for microstrip, Wheeler for stripline) with copper thickness correction. These are accurate to within 2-3% for typical PCB geometries and are suitable for design-phase estimation.

For workflow guides, see the Schematic, PCB Layout, DRC, Impedance, and Fabrication guides.