I found this tutorial very instructive. You are very good at teaching! Hope you publish more tutorials on Fusion 360 Electronics Design. Thank you very much, man!
Thanks Al! There are some changes in the future to PCB so I am holding off making any new content for that until the next major update. I don't know what is coming but I do want to make sure it is up to date! Reach out if you need anything.
Thanks Matt, answerewd all my unanswered questions, just getting into it and helped me so much. i would love to see some advanced circutes as well. also some questions? Why do I need a grid of 2.54mm if I use metric and my component is metric as well?
That is great Elliot! Glad you found it helpful! I was hoping to hit all the sticking points I had when i got started. For the grid settings they are just standards for design. If you stray from the default 2.54mm/.1in grid settings a lot of the other tools start to act up. Most of the component schematics are based off that spacing. If you are using all of your own parts I imagine you could, but it was strongly suggested to me :) to stay with 2.54mm. Question for you. What sorts of advanced circuits would you like to see? I would love some suggestions.
You can check out the injection molding series I did ruclips.net/p/PLBDfGh8A8kXX5mMcgJze-OHeChFQS7ru1 Is there a specific topic or area you are interested in?
Thanks J, I have had a more advanced PCB series on my list for awhile, but haven't been able to get to it yet. If there are any specific questions I can do my best to answer them. I am not an electrical engineer or PCB designer by trade, but I may have done enough to be helpful ;)
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Nor am I, and I think that makes your tutorials perfect for the layman- no crazy technical jargon or assumptions of expertise. I’m not sure if you etch/mill your own PCB’s or simply push them to a manufacturer, but going into the use of the gerber(sp?) files for the DIY-er for either exposing etch resists or milling on a CNC router using Fusion 360’s manufacture tab would be neat. Furthermore, I’m not completely understanding the use of the mirror function- if it’s specifically for through-hole components with the traces/soldering pads on the bottom, because it seems the pins get reversed. I’m sure I could tinker with it until I understand it, but just thought it could be a topic worth exploring.
Thanks J! For making the PCBs I have had good luck sending them to Digikeys "red" program. There are limits to what you can do BUT the price is great compared to the others for a small run. Cheap enough for hobby users to get boards made for their projects. It was a few dollars a board for the last project I did. Honestly I haven't even tried to dig into the CAM data for use directly in Fusion 360 but I will add that to my list! I know once you push the board to 3d you can simply cam the board shape and drill holes, but getting deeper into things like solder masking I will try and figure that one out. Mirror is typically used to flip a component from the top side (layer 1) to the bottom side (Layer2). This seems a bit odd when we might be used to mirror across an axis in a sketch for example. A good test is to just make a new schematic with just some jumper pins on it. Push it to 3d so you can see the jumpers on the top of the board. Then go back to the board and click mirror in the place menu or from the attributes of the jumpers, then push to 3d again. Usually when you use mirror it looks like nothing changes or maybe the attributes/labels are flipped. Changing the drawing layer to a single layer view sometimes helps. Also this is an old post but might help in the meantime. help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?caas=caas/discussion/t5/Fusion-360-Electronics/Create-etch-mask-from-PCB/td-p/9691933.html
I messed around with milling my own PCB this afternoon on my CNC router. 4 components… Nothing incredibly complicated. Aside from some evidence of minor backlash/worn spindle bearings, it went pretty well. I think I’ll try the masking next. Either way, I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help. I could see the DIY aspect having different levels of feasibility, so maybe just extend the tutorial to within the software itself. I’d be interested in the functionality of scripts, or even implementing a microcontroller on a board if that’s in your wheelhouse. Honestly, I’m not picky. I just appreciate your teaching method & look forward to the next batch. Thanks again!
@@jnorris8649 Glad you got something working that is great! For one of my own projects I made a board with a socket to plug in a QTPY microcontroller as the brain. So the board had some external connectors and allowed for 12v in from a car/motorcycle with some voltage regulation, then had some 12v inputs used to trigger different functions. I had done more like SD card slot and building a proto area. The board worked(mostly) but maybe a simplified version of that could be fun. Adafruit has board layouts of most of their stuff which is really handy!
Thanks! I have been collecting/planning a video game controller series, but have been a bit too busy. It is still on my list and will hopefully happen sooner than later!
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign sounds good. Speaking of video games yo know what would be super cool? A series on making a whole product from start to finish, like a pc game controller, I.e. a joystick, including hardware the firmware pad of the process. Just an idea…
@@TheWoodWorkingPilot Yup :) so the plan is for me to show the layout on a breadboard, then design the controller housing and PCB in fusion. I plan on doing 2 housings, 1 for 3d print and one for injection molding. I also plan on making the PCB. The problem is that I haven't had time to lay it all out other than ordering the parts. I also do plan on doing some code to get it to work and will show that.
Thanks, we did release a PCB design series project on our website you can find here. www.learneverythingaboutdesign.com/p/design-a-usb-game-controller-with-fusion-360-and-arduino In that course series we go through picking parts, programming, designing and building the PCB as well as design of the housing for 3d printing.
Hi, How can I create a BOM file for my PCB board to send one of companies to manufacture for me ? And, how or where can I find the most common connector type in Fusion, because there is no either JST style 1.25mm connector or DB15 nor chip or buttons switches. the library doesn't have either
Hi Peter, different manufacturers might require different file types. In general when you are on the PCB document go to the "Manufacturing" tab, there are two options that have a small play button on them. One is for Gerber and the other is for OBD++. Gerber is the one i use if I make a board with Digikey through their DKRed program. You just have to check with whatever MFG. For the connectors it really comes down to finding the ones you want to use first then searching the library. I think this month the PCB library is getting an overhaul based on the Fusion 360 road map so hopefully that will get easier soon. For my project i had to do a lot of searching to find the right connector then make it in the library.
thank you for the prompt answer, I hope there will be a good change in the library because there is very hard to find the proper items and most of the time there is no 3d footprint too, but most of the time it is helps a lot when the PCB is part of the hard surface design to figure out how big the closure would be. If you have a time you can also show how can we do that the electronic items parts of the PCB design, but not mount on it and the 3d footprint should be show on the 3d assembly separately. or simple I don't want to design a pcb or schematic but would like to put some electronic element in my 3d mechanical design for instance a controller button, the button mount on the case far from the PCB and it will be connected with wire and you want to know in advance where you should put the button. I don't like to modelling or redesign every different buttons or switches what I would like to use for the solid modelling. there are also a library for these electronic components like the bearings or screws?
Hi Peter, The package 3d generator has a lot in it now, so if what you are doing is pretty common that is the quickest way to go. For simple 3d components in an assembly downloading the MFG parts like we did in part 3 of this PCB series is the way to go. ruclips.net/video/B61RF18wBWE/видео.html That won't have the layout/footprint but most manufacturers will give you a 3d cad file at the very least. I will look around for some snap fit type buttons and try and work on an example. for the hardware i use McMaster Carr usually. You need to have an account now but its free. From Fusion 360 go to the Insert Menu and "Insert from McMaster Car". search for whatever you need and make sure near the description it says 3D cad. Then make sure when you are viewing it that you set the file type to STEP. It will insert directly into the design. I can certainly show this in a video.
Hi ML, i had someone else ask about something similar. I am looking into the workflow now. Are you using Fusion for the CAM portion? It could be done since the copper traces are put onto the 3d pcb as solids. I will think about this a little bit more and see if I cant make a video to talk about it.
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign yes I‘m doing everything in Fusion. Schematic, pcb layout.. I have this small Chinese mill with GRBL controller, where I can put the as card in with the nc code. But to select each single copper line for a outline engraving is much too much effort. It should work with a 3d contour, but it will only see the holes, but not the copper layer. At the end the copper layer with is veery thin and the engraver bit with 15 degree angle is removing too much material from the copper. At the end it is engraving both sides of the copper and in the middle remains nothing. Not that easy… regards Michael
Have you ever looked at FLATCAM? its open source and convert the PCB exports from fusion to outlines for a mill. I will try and work up an example for this. It might involve modding the 3d pcb solid layers to make selections easier but I will see what i can do. Let me do some testing!
Hi, sorry I don't have one, but in order to get a logo onto a PCB it needs to be a monochrome bitmap or possibly a dxf file. you have to run the ULP option "Import-bmp.ulp". You will find that on the Automate menu under "Run ULP" . When you click on import-bmp it will give you a bunch of info and you can walk through several steps. It takes a bit of playing around but that is the only way I know of to currently do that.
![Creating an Electronic Component Library in Fusion 360 [Part 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NITJZfhjppI/mqdefault.jpg)
I found this tutorial very instructive. You are very good at teaching! Hope you publish more tutorials on Fusion 360 Electronics Design. Thank you very much, man!
Thanks Joao! If there is something specific you need please let me know!
Thanks
Great Tutorial! Thank you!
Great tutorial as always Matt. Will look forward to your advanced PCB creation tutorial 😉👍
Thanks Al! There are some changes in the future to PCB so I am holding off making any new content for that until the next major update. I don't know what is coming but I do want to make sure it is up to date! Reach out if you need anything.
Thanks Matt! This was super helpful for me and my project!
Glad it helped! I have another PCB series on the horizon but just haven't been able to get around to it. Hopefully soon!
Thanks Matt, answerewd all my unanswered questions, just getting into it and helped me so much. i would love to see some advanced circutes as well.
also some questions?
Why do I need a grid of 2.54mm if I use metric and my component is metric as well?
That is great Elliot! Glad you found it helpful! I was hoping to hit all the sticking points I had when i got started.
For the grid settings they are just standards for design. If you stray from the default 2.54mm/.1in grid settings a lot of the other tools start to act up. Most of the component schematics are based off that spacing. If you are using all of your own parts I imagine you could, but it was strongly suggested to me :) to stay with 2.54mm.
Question for you. What sorts of advanced circuits would you like to see? I would love some suggestions.
Thanks for the video! More lessons on electronics and design of enclosures for boards.
You can check out the injection molding series I did ruclips.net/p/PLBDfGh8A8kXX5mMcgJze-OHeChFQS7ru1
Is there a specific topic or area you are interested in?
I really enjoyed this and learned a lot! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! I have more PCB planned when i can get to it :)
Great intro tutorial! I hope there’s more to follow. Thanks!
Thanks J, I have had a more advanced PCB series on my list for awhile, but haven't been able to get to it yet. If there are any specific questions I can do my best to answer them. I am not an electrical engineer or PCB designer by trade, but I may have done enough to be helpful ;)
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Nor am I, and I think that makes your tutorials perfect for the layman- no crazy technical jargon or assumptions of expertise.
I’m not sure if you etch/mill your own PCB’s or simply push them to a manufacturer, but going into the use of the gerber(sp?) files for the DIY-er for either exposing etch resists or milling on a CNC router using Fusion 360’s manufacture tab would be neat.
Furthermore, I’m not completely understanding the use of the mirror function- if it’s specifically for through-hole components with the traces/soldering pads on the bottom, because it seems the pins get reversed. I’m sure I could tinker with it until I understand it, but just thought it could be a topic worth exploring.
Thanks J!
For making the PCBs I have had good luck sending them to Digikeys "red" program. There are limits to what you can do BUT the price is great compared to the others for a small run. Cheap enough for hobby users to get boards made for their projects. It was a few dollars a board for the last project I did.
Honestly I haven't even tried to dig into the CAM data for use directly in Fusion 360 but I will add that to my list! I know once you push the board to 3d you can simply cam the board shape and drill holes, but getting deeper into things like solder masking I will try and figure that one out.
Mirror is typically used to flip a component from the top side (layer 1) to the bottom side (Layer2). This seems a bit odd when we might be used to mirror across an axis in a sketch for example. A good test is to just make a new schematic with just some jumper pins on it. Push it to 3d so you can see the jumpers on the top of the board. Then go back to the board and click mirror in the place menu or from the attributes of the jumpers, then push to 3d again. Usually when you use mirror it looks like nothing changes or maybe the attributes/labels are flipped. Changing the drawing layer to a single layer view sometimes helps.
Also this is an old post but might help in the meantime. help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?caas=caas/discussion/t5/Fusion-360-Electronics/Create-etch-mask-from-PCB/td-p/9691933.html
I messed around with milling my own PCB this afternoon on my CNC router. 4 components… Nothing incredibly complicated. Aside from some evidence of minor backlash/worn spindle bearings, it went pretty well. I think I’ll try the masking next. Either way, I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help.
I could see the DIY aspect having different levels of feasibility, so maybe just extend the tutorial to within the software itself. I’d be interested in the functionality of scripts, or even implementing a microcontroller on a board if that’s in your wheelhouse. Honestly, I’m not picky. I just appreciate your teaching method & look forward to the next batch. Thanks again!
@@jnorris8649 Glad you got something working that is great!
For one of my own projects I made a board with a socket to plug in a QTPY microcontroller as the brain. So the board had some external connectors and allowed for 12v in from a car/motorcycle with some voltage regulation, then had some 12v inputs used to trigger different functions. I had done more like SD card slot and building a proto area. The board worked(mostly) but maybe a simplified version of that could be fun. Adafruit has board layouts of most of their stuff which is really handy!
This series is awesome!! thank you so much sir!!
I would love to see more episodes of it.
Thanks! I have been collecting/planning a video game controller series, but have been a bit too busy. It is still on my list and will hopefully happen sooner than later!
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign sounds good. Speaking of video games yo know what would be super cool? A series on making a whole product from start to finish, like a pc game controller, I.e. a joystick, including hardware the firmware pad of the process. Just an idea…
@@TheWoodWorkingPilot Yup :) so the plan is for me to show the layout on a breadboard, then design the controller housing and PCB in fusion. I plan on doing 2 housings, 1 for 3d print and one for injection molding. I also plan on making the PCB. The problem is that I haven't had time to lay it all out other than ordering the parts. I also do plan on doing some code to get it to work and will show that.
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign sounds great. Can’t wait!..
Easy to follow even though I’m using Fusion 2.0.18460
Would be great to see a more in depth project with a suitable enclosure
Thanks, we did release a PCB design series project on our website you can find here.
www.learneverythingaboutdesign.com/p/design-a-usb-game-controller-with-fusion-360-and-arduino
In that course series we go through picking parts, programming, designing and building the PCB as well as design of the housing for 3d printing.
Brilliant, checking it now@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign
Hi,
How can I create a BOM file for my PCB board to send one of companies to manufacture for me ? And, how or where can I find the most common connector type in Fusion, because there is no either JST style 1.25mm connector or DB15 nor chip or buttons switches. the library doesn't have either
Hi Peter, different manufacturers might require different file types. In general when you are on the PCB document go to the "Manufacturing" tab, there are two options that have a small play button on them. One is for Gerber and the other is for OBD++. Gerber is the one i use if I make a board with Digikey through their DKRed program. You just have to check with whatever MFG.
For the connectors it really comes down to finding the ones you want to use first then searching the library. I think this month the PCB library is getting an overhaul based on the Fusion 360 road map so hopefully that will get easier soon. For my project i had to do a lot of searching to find the right connector then make it in the library.
thank you for the prompt answer, I hope there will be a good change in the library because there is very hard to find the proper items and most of the time there is no 3d footprint too, but most of the time it is helps a lot when the PCB is part of the hard surface design to figure out how big the closure would be. If you have a time you can also show how can we do that the electronic items parts of the PCB design, but not mount on it and the 3d footprint should be show on the 3d assembly separately. or simple I don't want to design a pcb or schematic but would like to put some electronic element in my 3d mechanical design for instance a controller button, the button mount on the case far from the PCB and it will be connected with wire and you want to know in advance where you should put the button. I don't like to modelling or redesign every different buttons or switches what I would like to use for the solid modelling. there are also a library for these electronic components like the bearings or screws?
Hi Peter, The package 3d generator has a lot in it now, so if what you are doing is pretty common that is the quickest way to go. For simple 3d components in an assembly downloading the MFG parts like we did in part 3 of this PCB series is the way to go. ruclips.net/video/B61RF18wBWE/видео.html That won't have the layout/footprint but most manufacturers will give you a 3d cad file at the very least.
I will look around for some snap fit type buttons and try and work on an example.
for the hardware i use McMaster Carr usually. You need to have an account now but its free. From Fusion 360 go to the Insert Menu and "Insert from McMaster Car". search for whatever you need and make sure near the description it says 3D cad. Then make sure when you are viewing it that you set the file type to STEP. It will insert directly into the design. I can certainly show this in a video.
Can you show the whole process to engrave a pcb with a Chinese cheese mill like the sainsmart 3018?
Hi ML, i had someone else ask about something similar. I am looking into the workflow now. Are you using Fusion for the CAM portion? It could be done since the copper traces are put onto the 3d pcb as solids. I will think about this a little bit more and see if I cant make a video to talk about it.
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign yes I‘m doing everything in Fusion. Schematic, pcb layout.. I have this small Chinese mill with GRBL controller, where I can put the as card in with the nc code.
But to select each single copper line for a outline engraving is much too much effort. It should work with a 3d contour, but it will only see the holes, but not the copper layer. At the end the copper layer with is veery thin and the engraver bit with 15 degree angle is removing too much material from the copper. At the end it is engraving both sides of the copper and in the middle remains nothing. Not that easy… regards Michael
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign BTW I found this video, but I can not reproduce that for my pcb … ruclips.net/video/kTAC7aWL024/видео.html
Have you ever looked at FLATCAM? its open source and convert the PCB exports from fusion to outlines for a mill.
I will try and work up an example for this. It might involve modding the 3d pcb solid layers to make selections easier but I will see what i can do. Let me do some testing!
I haven't forgotten about this topic ML I will get to it soon!
Do you have a video on how to add a logo to a pcb?
Hi, sorry I don't have one, but in order to get a logo onto a PCB it needs to be a monochrome bitmap or possibly a dxf file. you have to run the ULP option "Import-bmp.ulp". You will find that on the Automate menu under "Run ULP" . When you click on import-bmp it will give you a bunch of info and you can walk through several steps. It takes a bit of playing around but that is the only way I know of to currently do that.
@@LearnEverythingAboutDesign Thank you.