PADS to Flux

Bring your PADS project to Flux and continue it here. Flux is an AI hardware engineer. Import your schematic, PCB, and library files into a project. Ask Flux to work on the electronics, mechanical parts, firmware, and manufacturing.

Export your PADS files

In PADS Logic, select File → Export and save the schematic as ASCII (.txt). In PADS Layout, select File → Export and save the board as ASCII (.asc).

In PADS Layout, select File → Export to export an ODB++ archive (.tgz or .tar), an ODB++ job folder, or an IPC-2581 file (.xml or .cvg).

Import your PADS project into Flux

Select Flux menu → Import → Project… to open the Import Project dialog.
Click Choose files or Choose folder. You can also drop the project files, a project folder, or a ZIP file on the dialog.
Select the projects to import, then click Import. Project files can include .asc, .txt, .net, .pcb, and .sch files. You can also upload ODB++ or IPC-2581 board files.
Click Open to open the new project.

Each import creates a new project.

Import your PADS libraries into Flux

Select Flux menu → Import → Part… to open the Import Parts dialog.
Click Choose files or Choose folder. You can also drop the library files, a folder, or a ZIP file on the dialog.
Select the parts to import, then click the import button. Upload .asc, .d, .p, or .pcb library files.

Each imported part becomes a new part in your Flux library.

What you can do with your design in Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. After the import, your PADS design is part of a Flux project. Ask Flux to work on the schematic and board. Flux also works on the mechanical parts, firmware, and manufacturing in the same project.

Turn the imported board into a complete device

Use the imported PADS schematic and PCB as the starting point. Ask Flux to design an enclosure around the board, then write firmware for the microcontroller and peripherals in the schematic.

Use the board outline, mounting holes, connectors, and clearance needs from the imported design to shape the enclosure.
Use the imported schematic's pin assignments and connected parts to guide firmware for the microcontroller.

Using the imported PADS board, design an enclosure that fits its outline and aligns with its mounting holes and connectors.

Write firmware for the microcontroller in the imported PADS schematic. Use its pin assignments to initialize and test the connected peripherals.

Review the imported design

Ask Flux to review the schematic and board. Flux reads part datasheets and reports design issues with suggested fixes. Flux can also make a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) report.

Review the imported schematic and board. Check the power rails and connector pin assignments.

Make an FMEA report for the battery input and charging circuit.

Place and route the board

Ask Flux to place components and route the board. Flux sets the stackup and layout rules, places the parts, routes the traces, and runs a design rule check.

Place the components and route the board on four layers. Keep the analog input away from the switching regulator.

Route the Ethernet pairs with a 100 ohm differential impedance.

Simulate circuits and signals

Ask Flux to simulate circuit behavior. Ask Flux to analyze high-speed traces and RF feed lines. Flux reports electromagnetic results with plots.

Simulate the battery charger and report the charge current at 5 V input.

Analyze the impedance of the differential pairs from the processor to the connector.

Check the board temperature

Ask Flux to run a thermal simulation of the PCB. Flux calculates board and component temperatures from the power each part dissipates.

Run a thermal simulation with the processor and radio at full load. Report the hottest components.

Design the enclosure and mechanical parts

Ask Flux to design enclosures, brackets, mounts, and mechanisms around the board. Flux uses the board outline, mounting holes, connectors, and part models. See Mechanical Design.

Design an enclosure for this board with openings for Ethernet and power.

Design a DIN rail clip that holds the board with its connector side facing down.

Check fit, strength, and air flow

Ask Flux to check clearances between the board and the enclosure. Ask Flux to analyze stress and deflection in a mechanical part. Flux also simulates air flow and cooling through an enclosure.

Check the clearance between the board and the enclosure cover.

Analyze the stress in the DIN rail clip when the enclosure weighs 500 g.

Simulate air flow through the enclosure vents with the processor at full load.

Write the firmware

Ask Flux to write firmware for the microcontroller on the board. Flux uses the design's pin assignments and tests the code.

Write firmware for the controller to read the Ethernet link status and report it over USB.

Design the cables between boards

Ask Flux for a cable between two connectors in the design. Flux reads the net connections and selects matching housings and wires.

Get a quote for 25 cables between the controller and the display, 300 mm long.

Ask Flux for PCB quotes and orders. Ask for 3D-printing quotes and orders for the mechanical parts. You can also export Gerber, drill, BOM, and pick-and-place files. See Gerber Exports.

Get quotes for 100 assembled boards from JLCPCB and PCBWay.

Get a 3D-printing quote for the DIN rail enclosure.

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