Test Stands and Fixtures in Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It designs 3D-printable test stands and fixtures that hold your board or device on the bench. A stand holds the board in a repeatable position for probing, programming, and bring-up. Reprint it for each board revision.

Design a test stand for a board

Ask Flux to design a printed stand around your board and test access needs.

1. Open the project that contains the board.

2. Open Chat and ask Flux to create the stand.

3. Include the board dimensions or use the board in the project.

4. Open the stand in the 3D view.

Give Flux the PCB thickness, mounting holes, connectors, the side with test points, bottom-side component heights, printer nozzle, and material. Flux makes one printed plate-and-boss stand that holds the PCB, keeps connectors and underside test points reachable, and places it in the project as a 3D model. Flux asks for missing facts, such as board thickness or bottom-side layout, before it builds the stand.

Choose how the stand holds the board

Ask Flux to choose a board-holding method for the stand.

1. Open Chat in the project.

2. Name the board-holding method and the stand material.

3. Ask Flux to update the stand model.

Flux uses self-tapping or thread-forming screws in printed bosses by default. Ask for heat-set inserts when you want them. For a board without usable mounting holes, Flux can use ledges, end stops, and hand-release snap clips. Locating pins position the board. Use PLA, PETG, or nylon for a screw-only stand. Use PETG or nylon when the stand has snap clips.

Keep test points and connectors open

Ask Flux to leave the board's test points, connectors, and cable paths open.

1. Open Chat and name the test points and connectors that need access.

2. Describe the probe direction and the connector cable path.

3. Ask Flux to update the supports and access openings.

Flux can place access windows under test points and around supports. It leaves clearance for connectors and cables. For bottom-side probing, mount the stand over a bench opening or use side-entry probes.

Mount the stand on the bench

Ask Flux to add bench-mount slots or holes to the stand.

1. Open Chat and describe the bench mounting pattern.

2. Include the fastener size and grid pitch.

3. Ask Flux to add the slots or holes to the stand.

Flux can place bench-mount slots or holes on a 25 mm grid, a common breadboard and optical-bench pitch. For example, request M6 slots.

Design a breadboard fixture

Ask Flux to design a fixture for a 25 mm-pitch breadboard plate.

1. Open the project with the board.

2. Open Chat and ask Flux for a breadboard fixture.

3. State the 25 mm pitch and the board features that need access.

Flux designs a fixture that holds the board on a 25 mm-pitch breadboard plate.

Check the fit before you print

Ask Flux to check the stand's fit and access against the board model.

1. Add the board model and stand to the project.

2. Open Chat and ask Flux to check fit and access.

3. Open Files to read the validation report.

Flux checks the stand against the board model for fit and access. Flux saves a validation report in the project files. See Fit and clearance for more ways to check how parts fit together.

Print and reuse the stand

Ask Flux to export the stand for printing or update it for a new board revision.

1. Select the stand model in the project.

2. Download its STL or STEP output.

3. Ask Flux to update the stand when the board revision changes.

4. Download the updated model for the next print.

You can download STL or STEP from the model. Ask Flux to update the stand for a new board revision, then reprint it. See Make mechanical parts and Mechanical drawings and exports for manufacturing and export details.

Example prompts

Ask Flux to design a test stand for the board or device in your project.

Related pages

• Board bring-up

• Design new parts

• Fit and clearance

• Make mechanical parts

• Mechanical Design