Question / request for help with Container full SMT assembly (parts + CPL)

[rootexpression]

Hi swanmatch and team,

I realize this isn’t a traditional bug report, so feel free to close this if it’s not the right place for this kind of question. I’m mainly looking for advice (or any help anyone is willing to offer).

I’ve been looking at the Container version of MxLEDBitPCB and really like the design. I’m planning to order a panel with full SMT assembly from JLCPCB and have locked in these parts for now:

• Diode: C81598 (1N4148W SOD-123)
  https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/ST_Semtech-1N4148W/C81598

• LED: C5242955 (SK6803MINI-E)
  https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/5951765-SK6803MINI_E001/C5242955

• Hotswap socket: C49352235 (white Kailh CPG1511)
  https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/HanElectricity-CPG151101S112/C49352235

I’m at the point where I need to generate a proper CPL / pick-and-place file and make sure the KiCad files are up to date and compatible with these exact parts. I’m not very experienced with KiCad or the assembly process, and I don’t have the budget for trial-and-error PCB runs.

Would any of you be open to helping with any of the following (even just advice is appreciated):

• Checking whether these three parts work cleanly with the existing Container footprints/Gerbers
• Letting me know if any of them are a poor choice, or if you have better part recommendations
• Updating or verifying the KiCad files if needed
• Generating a CPL/BOM for JLCPCB using the final parts list

I completely understand if there is neither time nor interest — no pressure at all. Just thought I’d ask since you all know the design best.

Thanks either way for releasing these boards. They’re exactly what I was looking for.

[swanmatch]

@rootexpression

Since I always do hand soldering myself, I’m not very familiar with outsourcing assembly to a factory.
As for the LEDs, I believe they are the parts listed below.
https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/OPSCOOptoelectronics-SK6812MINIE/C5149201

However, since the board has many holes and slits, the PCBA request might be turned down.
In particular, the SK6812-MINI-E isn’t a standard surface-mount component, so even with regular boards, requests are sometimes turned down.

I’ll ask my friends if any of them have experience with PCBA.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[rootexpression]

@swanmatch

Thank you for the reply — I really appreciate you taking the time.

Your note about the holes/slits and the Mini-E package potentially causing PCBA rejection is very useful.
I’m aiming for full SMT assembly if it’s realistically possible. Buying a hotplate and paste ends up costing more than having the boards fully assembled (especially with JLCPCB’s current promotions), and partial assembly doesn’t make sense either — it just adds cost, work, and risk. I don’t have plans to produce a lot of boards over time, so the tooling wouldn’t really be an investment for me.
Given that, I’m now looking more seriously at the Altana variant instead of Container, since it uses the standard SK6812MINI rather than the reverse-mount YS/Mini-E version. That seems much more likely to be accepted for automated assembly while still giving me hotswap sockets.

If you (or any of your friends) know of successful full PCBA runs of Altana (or similar boards with the standard Mini LED), or if there are already usable BOM/CPL files for it, I’d be very interested. I’m also open to swapping in a lower-power addressable LED with a similar footprint if that improves manufacturability and reduces board power draw further. I was looking at the SK6803 because of its lower power draw — not as bright, but should be plenty bright enough and give me more usable brightness steps.

Just wanted to thank you again for the boards and the advice.