ShieldingCan is a KiCad 9 Action Plugin for creating PCB mounting areas for shielding cans.
The plugin generates rows of stitching vias and solder-mask openings around a selected rectangular area, making it easier to prepare a PCB for soldered metal shielding cans.
- Generates via fences around a rectangular area
- Multiple via rows
- Adjustable via diameter, drill size, pitch, offsets, and spacing
- Optional staggered via pattern
- Solder-mask openings on F.Mask, B.Mask, or both
- Build inside or outside the selected rectangle
- Automatic avoidance of tracks, pads, existing vias, and courtyard areas
- Automatic via-pitch adjustment
- Assigns generated vias to a selected net
- mm and mil units
- English, German, and Ukrainian interface
- Settings are saved between sessions
- KiCad 9.x
Copy the plugin files into your KiCad Action Plugins directory:
shieldingcan.pyshieldingcan.png
Restart KiCad and open PCB Editor. ShieldingCan should appear in the Action Plugins menu/toolbar.
- Draw a rectangle on the User.Drawings layer.
- Select the rectangle.
- Run ShieldingCan.
- Configure the via fence and solder-mask parameters.
- Select the required net and click OK.
The generated objects are placed in the SHIELDING_CAN group.
Zones and polygons are ignored when calculating obstacles.
GPL-3.0