Mechanical Design with Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It designs mechanical parts, assemblies, and complete products in 3D CAD, together with the electronics inside them. Describe what you need, and Flux creates exact solid models that you can review, change, export, and manufacture.

What you can design

• Create custom parts such as brackets, mounts, and housings that fit real board and component models. For example, design a joint bracket for a servo in the project.

• Design 3D-printable test stands and bench fixtures for a board.

• Build multi-part assemblies and mechanisms, and place parts by face, edge, or axis constraints, including concentric and face-to-face mates. For example, align a pan-tilt mechanism at its pivot axes.

• Design complete products, from handheld devices to robot arms, with the board and its parts in the assembly.

• Design enclosures and cases for a board.

• Create 3D models from photos, renders, sketches, or dimensioned drawings.

• Create datasheet-based 3D package models for components, or attach vendor STEP models to footprints.

• Create board outlines from DXF or SVG files, and add SVG or DXF artwork to the board.

• Edit imported CAD models by resizing them, moving holes or cutouts, and changing features.

Mechanical Design pages

• Import and edit CAD files

• Design new parts

• Assemblies and mechanisms

• Editable CAD code

• Fit and clearance

• Mechanical analysis

• 3D view

• Mechanical drawings and exports

• Make mechanical parts

• Test stands and fixtures

• Mechanical standards

• Mechanical parts

From idea to model

1. Describe the product to Flux. Include what it must do, its key dimensions, and its requirements.

2. Ask for a concept sketch first if you want to compare ideas.

3. Ask Flux to create the CAD models and place them in the project.

4. Review the models in the 3D view, then refine them with prompts.

5. Ask Flux to check the fit and clearance between parts.

6. Export the models or ask for a 3D-print quote.

Example prompts:

Create a 3D model from a photo, sketch, or drawing

Tell Flux to create a mechanical model from a reference image.

To attach the reference, open Chat, select Attach File, and choose the photo, render, sketch, or drawing. Flux uses a photo, render, or concept sketch to guide the model's proportions and appearance. For dimensions, attach a dimensioned drawing or a photo with a known dimension, such as a ruler. Include key dimensions in your prompt when they control fit. You can also ask Flux to create a concept sketch first, then create the CAD model from it.

Edit an imported 3D model

Attach the model in chat and ask Flux to change it. Name the feature and give the new dimensions.

You can also do it in the UI.

1. In the Inspector, open Assets, click Manage Assets, then click Add Item.

2. Upload a .step, .stp, .stpz, .iges, .igs, or .brep file.

3. Ask Flux to edit the imported model. Describe the size or feature change.

Flux measures the imported model and converts its parts into editable CAD code. It applies your requested changes to new model assets and keeps the original file unchanged in the project. For an assembly, Flux keeps each part in its original position, with its color and repeated instances.

Example prompts:

Check and analyze your design

Ask Flux to measure fit and clearance between placed parts, and to check for interference. For a part under load, ask Flux to analyze stress or deflection. For a part that gets hot, ask Flux to run a thermal analysis of heat conduction through the part.

Work with the 3D view

Open the View panel in the PCB editor and use the 3D view to inspect the board and its mechanical parts. In Display, choose X-Ray, Solid, Realistic, or Blueprint from Materials to change how the model appears.

Press M to start Measure Distance, then select points on the model to measure the distance and height difference between them.

Expand Analysis to access the 3D analysis controls. Turn on Cross Section to view inside the model. Choose an Axis, use Flip kept side to change which side remains visible, and adjust Depth to move the cut. Use Curvature Combs to inspect surface curvature and show or hide groups of curves.

Render and present your design

Ask Flux to create a still render, a turntable video, or an exploded-view animation of your CAD models. You can also ask for a product video of your device. Describe the scene and camera motion, or ask Flux to show the board and enclosure assembling into the finished product.

Import 3D models and parts

Attach the files in chat and ask Flux to import them.

You can also do it in the UI.

To add an imported CAD model or assembly as a project asset, open Assets in the Inspector, click Manage Assets, then click Add Item. Upload a .step, .stp, .stpz, .iges, .igs, or .brep file.

To import a library part, select Flux menu → Import → Part…. Upload a symbol and footprint library from any supported tool, with its .step or .stp model files. To import native CAD parts and assemblies from SOLIDWORKS, NX and other Parasolid-based tools, or Autodesk Fusion, select Flux menu → Import → 3D part or assembly…. See Import designs and files.

Export mechanical files

Ask Flux to export the mechanical files.

You can also do it in the UI.

Select Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → PCB 3D model, then choose a format:

• STL (.stl)

• STEP (.step)

• STEP compressed (.stpZ)

• GLB (.glb)

• COLLADA

• BREP

• VRML

• XAO

Manufacture your parts

Ask Flux to get a quote and place the order for your parts.

1. Ask Flux to get a 3D-print quote for a model in your project.

2. Review the Craftcloud offers, including the process, material, price, shipping, and lead time.

3. Choose an offer and ask Flux to place the order.

4. Pay the vendor directly to complete the order.

Related pages

• Ask about a selection

• Firmware

• Export designs

• Export and manufacturing