Your first device in Flux

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It helps you define and design a complete device, from its product brief through electronics, mechanics, firmware, checks, and manufacturing.

This walkthrough follows one greenhouse soil-moisture monitor. You first define what the device must do and how people use it. Flux then helps you shape the product, sketch a concept, and set the enclosure before you design the board. The enclosure-first path fits this device because its mounting, probe cable, and weather protection shape the electronics.

1. Start a project and describe the device

Ask Flux to help define the greenhouse monitor. Describe who uses it, where it operates, and what it measures.

I want to build a greenhouse soil-moisture monitor. Help me define a useful first version.

Compare local readings with readings on a phone. Ask me about the greenhouse and the users before you choose.

Create a project with Flux menu → New project. Open Chat to explore the idea, then use Agent when you want Flux to change the project. See How Flux works.

2. Write the specification

Ask Flux to capture the agreed product definition in a Project Specification. Include the moisture range, number of probes, reading interval, power source, connection method, and operating environment.

Write a Project Specification for this greenhouse monitor. Include measurable requirements, constraints, and questions that need a decision.

Add requirements for battery life, sensor readings, phone access, installation, and operation around water and sunlight.

Keep the specification with the project. In Files, select New in the Documents panel to create a project document. See Project files and Specification.

3. Align on industrial design and user experience

Ask Flux to turn the specification into an industrial-design brief. Decide the size and form, material and finish, mounting location, installation steps, how users read and charge the monitor, its buttons or indicators, and its exposure to water and sun.

Create an industrial-design brief for this monitor. Describe its size, form, materials, finish, mounting, probe installation, and weather exposure.

Describe how a gardener installs the monitor, reads a moisture value, charges it, and understands its status. Include the display, button, and LED choices.

Keep the brief with the Project Specification. See Industrial design and concept.

4. Sketch the concept

Ask Flux to create concept drawings from the brief. Compare options for the enclosure, probe cable, mount, and user controls before you move to CAD.

Create two concept drawings for the greenhouse monitor from the industrial-design brief. Show the enclosure on a greenhouse post and the probe cable entering the soil.

Revise the concept to make the status light visible and the charging port easy to reach.

You can attach your own sketch or photo in Chat → Attach File and ask Flux to use it as a reference. See Create a 3D model from a photo, sketch, or drawing.

5. Choose whether to start with mechanical design or electronics

For a device with an enclosure, start with mechanical design. The enclosure sets the PCB envelope, connector positions, and mounting holes. For a bare board or an electronics-defined product, start with electronics. This monitor has an enclosure, so continue with mechanical design first.

This monitor has an enclosure. Start with the mechanical design and set the PCB envelope, connector positions, and mounting points before the schematic.

This product is a bare board. Start with the electronics and define the circuit and board before any enclosure work.

See Mechanical design and Electronics.

6. Design the enclosure and mechanical parts

Ask Flux to build a first-pass enclosure from the concept. Include the board envelope, post mount, probe connector, cable opening, gasket, and fasteners. Check that you can install and service the device.

Design the enclosure around the greenhouse monitor concept. Add a post mount, a probe-cable opening, a gasket seat, and screw locations.

Check the enclosure for board, connector, cable, lid, and mounting clearance. Update the model to resolve any fit issues.

Open Preview to inspect the enclosure and board together. See Mechanical design, Fit and clearance, and 3D view.

7. Choose parts and check sourcing

Ask Flux to compare electrical and mechanical parts against the specification. The monitor needs a soil probe, controller, power source, connectors, screws, and a gasket.

Find a soil-moisture probe, controller, battery, and charging connector for this monitor. Compare their requirements, availability, and price.

Select screws and a gasket for the enclosure. Check their size against the mounting and sealing features.

Attach a library file to import parts when needed. See Part Library for supported formats and import steps.

8. Design the schematic

Ask Flux to connect the selected probe, controller, power source, charging connector, and status indicator.

Create the greenhouse monitor schematic from the selected parts. Connect the probe to the controller and add the power, charging, and status circuits.

Name the sensor and power nets. Check the connections against the Project Specification and list the controller pins used.

Open the Schematic tab to review the circuit. See Schematic Design and project table views.

9. Lay out and route the PCB in the enclosure outline

Ask Flux to place and route the board inside the mechanical envelope. Keep the probe connector, charging port, mounting holes, and antenna area aligned with the enclosure.

Create a PCB layout inside the greenhouse monitor enclosure outline. Align the probe connector, charging port, mounting holes, and status LED with their openings.

Route the board and check its fit in the enclosure. Keep the antenna area clear and preserve access to the connectors.

Open the Layout tab, then use Review to inspect design checks. See PCB Design and Fit and clearance.

10. Write firmware

Ask Flux to use the controller pins and peripherals from the schematic. Keep the reading interval, reporting method, and power behavior aligned with the specification.

Write firmware for this monitor. Read the probe at the specified interval and send moisture readings to the selected phone interface.

Add battery status and a clear LED pattern for startup, reading, and connection status.

See Firmware and Firmware with your hardware.

11. Simulate and check the design

Ask Flux to check the circuit, board, and mechanical assembly. Include circuit behavior, the wireless path, board temperature, power use, and fit.

Simulate the monitor power circuit and estimate battery life for the specified reading interval.

Check the PCB rules, wireless antenna area, enclosure fit, and component temperatures. Summarize the findings and apply the required design changes.

Open Review for board checks. See Simulation, Mechanical analysis, and Design Rule Checks.

12. Prepare fabrication files and quotes

Ask Flux to prepare manufacturing files for the board and enclosure. Review board fabrication and assembly options, and compare quotes for both parts.

Prepare the greenhouse monitor PCB manufacturing files and BOM. Check the board outline, holes, connectors, and assembly data.

Prepare a STEP file for the enclosure and get a 3D-print quote. Compare materials, price, and lead time with the PCB quote.

Use Flux menu → Export → Electronics → Manufacturing Files (Gerbers, etc) (.zip) for board files and Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → PCB 3D model for the board model. See Mechanical drawings and exports.

13. Document and present the device

Ask Flux to create project documents for assembly, firmware programming, and field testing. Ask for a product image that shows how the monitor installs in a greenhouse. For more images and videos for a launch, see Product images and videos.

Create a bring-up and installation checklist for this monitor. Include charging, programming, probe placement, and a test in damp and dry soil.

Create a product image of the monitor mounted on a greenhouse post beside a plant. Show the probe cable and the user-facing status indicator.

In Files, select New in the Documents panel to add project documents. See Project files and 3D view.

Continue with the walkthrough pages

Ask Flux to review the Project Specification and recommend the next step.

Review the Project Specification and design plan. Tell me whether the concept, enclosure, electronics, firmware, or checks need work next.

Continue in this order:

Last updated on

Was this page helpful?