11/22/2025 - Created the specifications

I outlined all the goals I have for this project as well as getting a start on the components I need to make that happen.

I still need to figure out the resistors and support components needed for everything, as well as how I will get power to the board.

11/23/2025 10 AM - Finished part selection and Control components

Had to scour the datasheets to figure this one out. I have a majority of the components in the schematic now and my LCSC list is nearly complete. I just need to grab some links for support components like resistors and capacitors.

Here's what the schematic looks like now:

11/23/2025 4 PM - Finished PCB schematic and cleaned up 3D models

I fixed up all the references and found all of the support components like the resistors and the capacitors. I also finished up the motor driving section of the board and added the extra connectors.

Heres what the completed schematic looks like!

Some of the 3D models didnt actually exist so I made a quick edit in onshape:

At this point everything is now ready for me to move on to the layout!

11/23/2025 7 PM - PCB Layout Done

This took a bit longer than I anticipated lol. Anyways everything is now in the correct positions to route. The main concerns while placing the components were the spacing and orientation. I need good spacing to make it easier to solder and I need a good orientation to make it easier to route!

Heres what the board looks like:

11/23/2025 9 PM - PCB Routing Done

With some questionable routing decisions the PCB routing is now complete! I figured out how to do that differential pair shenanigans so the PCB programming should work now.

Here's what the routing looks like:

11/24/2025 11 AM - Squished the PCB

Heres what it looks like now:

After printing the PCB physically out on a piece of paper I decided the dimensions were kinda cooked. It was a bit too big for my liking.

You know what this means!
Reroute half the PCB time!!

Everything is now closer together and the dimensions make more sense to fit inside a DIY RC car.

More screenshots:

I also added some of my favorite hack club drawings on the back:

11/24/2025 12 PM - Created Panelized Gerbers

At this point I am now ready to order the PCBS!! I put them together in a panel so I can get more of my boards for the same price lol

Getting the outline to work again was kinda weird but I got it to work in the end.

Heres what that looked like:

11/24/2025 4 PM - BOM, Renders and Redoing Again...

I created the BOM and some awesome looking renders! These already took a good bit of time to finish and make sure I am representing everything correctly.

Oh shoot I forgot an on off switch...

Guess I gotta add that...
I fixed the schematic, PCB design, and redid the Panel gerbers.

11/24/2025 9 PM - Write the Firmware and Documentation

Cover image:

Ok this firmware took way longer than expected. AI was super helpful here :p
I was able to figure out the correct board to set it as. (A LOLIN C3 Mini, despite it not actually being a LOLIN but everything should compile correctly for my board as well as they are pretty close.)

The documentation was by far the longest part but now its really detailed so a total win.

Here's some of the firmware documentation:

12/31/2025 - CNC Router VCUT Jig

Alright JLCPCB didnt do the VCUTs like I asked in the file, probably because I didnt set the option to treat the file as a panel (which would have cost extra). I will definitely be using mouse bites in my next order...

Now this means I need to make an accurate scoring cut across 10 panels.

To do this properly in a reasonable time I started working on a Jig to hold the panels in place as they get cut.

I left the depth dimensions off of the drawing since I figured that would be something I figured out when I got to the CNC.

After printing this one out I realized I didnt have enough space for the PCB panel to fit, so I need to change some parts of the design.

After going back and adding more tolerance to all the sides I got this:

I added extra tolerances as well as fillets to help the parts slide in.

Heres what that looks like printed:

The tolerances were a little bit too much, so it wiggles slightly and isn't as snug as I would like.

I didn't really want to print another one so I tested out putting small strips of packing tape up along the edge to hold the PCB panel in place.

It actually held it pretty well, but was slightly off center, so to make sure the Jig was following the drawing I had created for it, I put an equal number of tape on the other side. Now the PCB panel is nice and tight, but still removeable.