CERN Open-Sources Entire KiCad Library Set for 9.x, With 10.x Support Pending
Updated
Updated · Hackaday · May 12
CERN Open-Sources Entire KiCad Library Set for 9.x, With 10.x Support Pending
3 articles · Updated · Hackaday · May 12
CERN has released its full in-house KiCad electronics library set as open source, making the PCB parts and footprints used for particle-accelerator work publicly available.
The libraries are hosted in a GitLab repository and currently support KiCad 9.x only, reflecting the version CERN says the release targets.
A test install on KiCad 10.0 failed with a missing JSON-file error, though official 10.x compatibility is said to be on the way.
The repository spans a wide range of components, potentially giving hobbyists and engineers a substantial ready-made library drawn from CERN's electronics workflow.
Will CERN's battle-tested components become the new gold standard for all open-source hardware?
Could a single, open-source library from CERN actually stifle innovation in electronics design?