updated READMEs

README.md

@@ -1,26 +1,26 @@
 # B4L Open Hardware Project Template
 
 Welcome to the **Build4Life (B4L)** Open Hardware Project Template!  
-This repository provides a standardized structure for developing and sharing high-quality open hardware designs.
+This repository defines a standard structure for building open-source hardware projects with high transparency, maintainability, and manufacturability.
 
-Use this template to kickstart your own B4L-compatible project.
+Use this as a base for your own project or as a collaborative standard for contributions.
 
 ---
 
 ## 📁 Folder Structure
 
 ```
-hardware/          # Schematics, PCB layout, BOM, manufacturing files
+hardware/            # Schematics, PCB, component models, libraries
-mechanical/        # Mechanical designs and 3D printable enclosures
+mechanical/          # Enclosures and mechanical CAD
-firmware/          # Microcontroller firmware
+firmware/            # Embedded firmware
-software/          # PC-side tools or GUIs
+software/            # PC-side software and tools
-docs/              # User guides, images, datasheets
+docs/                # Documentation and datasheets
-tests/             # Test plans and reports
+tests/               # Test plans, logs, reports
-ci/                # Continuous Integration config
+ci/                  # Continuous Integration configuration
-tools/             # Development and debug tools
+tools/               # Debug and development utilities
-certs/             # Certification and compliance documentation
+certs/               # Certification/compliance files
-manufacturing/     # Production-level data for fab and assembly
+manufacturing/       # Production and assembly resources
-meta/              # Project metadata and changelog
+meta/                # Project changelog and metadata
 ```
 
 ---
@@ -28,80 +28,76 @@ meta/              # Project metadata and changelog
 ## 📂 Folder Descriptions
 
 ### `/hardware/`
-Contains all electrical design files:
+- `schematics/`: Electrical schematics in any EDA tool
-- `schematics/`: KiCad or EDA schematic files
 - `pcb/`: PCB layout files
-- `bom/`: Bill of Materials
+- `bom/`: Bill of Materials (CSV, XLSX)
-- `manufacturing/`: Gerbers, pick-and-place, drill files
+- `manufacturing/`: Gerbers, pick-and-place, drill data
-- `simulations/`: Simulation circuits (e.g. SPICE)
+- `simulations/`: SPICE or other circuit simulations
+- `component-models/`: 3D models for electronic components
+- `libraries/`: Custom symbols, footprints, models
 
 ### `/mechanical/`
-Mechanical or enclosure design:
+- `enclosure/`: 3D-printable housing or case designs
-- `enclosure/`: STL/STEP files for 3D-printable parts
+- `cad/`: Editable CAD models
-- `cad/`: Editable CAD models (FreeCAD, Fusion360)
+- `stl/`: Printable STL files
-- `drawings/`: 2D drawings for fabrication or documentation
+- `drawings/`: 2D mechanical drawings for CNC or documentation
-- `stl/`: Final 3D-printable export files
 
 ### `/firmware/`
-Firmware source code:
+- `src/`, `include/`, `lib/`: Source code and libraries for microcontrollers
-- `src/`, `include/`, `lib/`: Microcontroller code and dependencies
+- Compatible with PlatformIO, Arduino, STM32Cube, Zephyr, etc.
-- Example: PlatformIO, STM32Cube, Arduino, Zephyr
 
 ### `/software/`
-Optional software tools, GUI, or helper scripts:
+- `gui/`: GUI apps for control or configuration
-- `gui/`: Any frontend or desktop apps
+- `scripts/`: Helper tools or automation
-- `scripts/`: CLI or backend support tools
 
 ### `/docs/`
-Project documentation:
+- `overview.md`, `quickstart.md`: Introductory and usage docs
-- `overview.md`, `quickstart.md`, photos, diagrams
+- `images/`: Diagrams, photos, illustrations
-- `datasheets/`: PDFs of important components
+- `datasheets/`: Reference datasheets for key components
 
 ### `/tests/`
-Hardware and firmware testing:
+- `hardware/`: Hardware test procedures
-- `hardware/`: Test jigs, test instructions
+- `firmware/`: Firmware unit or integration tests
-- `firmware/`: Unit and integration test code
+- `reports/`: Test logs and validation outputs
-- `reports/`: Test results, logs, and photos
 
 ### `/ci/`
-Automation and CI pipelines:
+- GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or other automation scripts
-- GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, etc.
 
 ### `/tools/`
-Developer tools, flashing utilities, debug helpers
+- Developer tools, debug scripts, flashing utilities
 
 ### `/certs/`
-Regulatory and certification documents (e.g., CE, FCC)
+- Regulatory or environmental compliance documents (e.g., CE, FCC, RoHS)
 
 ### `/manufacturing/`
-Everything needed for production:
+- `assembly/`: Instructions and jigs for assembly
-- `assembly/`: Instructions for assembly/test stations
+- `fab/`: Production-ready files for fabrication
-- `fab/`: Files needed by PCB fab houses
 
 ### `/meta/`
-Project metadata:
+- `changelog.md`: Development history
-- `b4l_manifest.json`: Name, version, tags, license
+- `authors.md`: Contributors list
-- `authors.md`, `changelog.md`
+- `b4l_manifest.json`: Optional machine-readable metadata
 
 ---
 
 ## 📝 License
 
-This template is open source. Choose a license appropriate for your project.  
+This template is open source. Use a license that fits your project.
-Recommended: [CERN-OHL-S-2.0](https://gitlab.com/ohwr/project/cernohl/) for open hardware.
+Recommended for hardware: [CERN-OHL-S-2.0](https://gitlab.com/ohwr/project/cernohl/)
 
 ---
 
 ## 🤝 Contributing
 
-If you’re creating a new B4L-compatible project, click “Use this template” or clone this repository.
+To start a new project:
-
+1. Click “Use this template” (on GitHub) or clone this repo
-You’re encouraged to submit improvements to this template!
+2. Rename and fill out your project files
+3. Share and collaborate with ease
 
 ---
 
 ## 📡 About Build4Life
 
-**Build4Life** is a community-driven initiative designing durable, open, and maintainable electronics.
+**Build4Life** creates long-lasting, open hardware systems — starting with sustainable LED lighting and modular solar power.
 
 Website: [https://buildfor.life](https://buildfor.life)

hardware/component-models/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# /hardware/component-models
+
+3D models of components (STEP, WRL, etc.) for mechanical integration.

hardware/libraries/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# /hardware/libraries
+
+Custom libraries for component symbols, footprints, and models.