ECAD and MCAD Co-Design
Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It designs the electronics and mechanical parts of a device together in one project.
Design the board and product assembly together
Ask Flux to place the board and mechanical parts in one assembly.
Flux keeps the board and mechanical models in the same project and 3D assembly. It can design an enclosure, bracket, or complete product around the board and its components.
Design an enclosure from the board
Ask Flux to use the board geometry and components to design the enclosure.
Include the board outline, mounting holes, connector locations, and required openings in the project. Ask Flux to place supports at the mounting holes and leave space for cables, connectors, displays, and other components.
Open Chat and describe the enclosure, how the board sits in it, and which features need access.
Check fit, clearance, and tool access
Ask Flux to check clearances and update the parts that interfere.
Flux checks board and enclosure fit, part interference, and access for tools. It can analyze the tolerance stack-up between the board, standoffs, and enclosure, then propose design or tolerance changes.
See Fit and Clearance for board fit, movement checks, and tolerance-stack-up analysis.
Import CAD and component models
Ask Flux to add the mechanical models and board references to the project.
Flux can import native CAD parts and assemblies, create component package models from datasheets, and attach vendor STEP models to footprints. It can also create board outlines from DXF or SVG files.
To import a native CAD part or assembly, select Flux menu → Import → 3D Part or Assembly…. To add a file as a project asset, open Assets in the Inspector and select Manage Assets. See Import and Edit CAD Files.
Check a folded flex board in the assembly
Ask Flux to fold the board and check it inside the product assembly.
The 3D view shows the board folded and twisted at each Flex Joint. Each area uses its own stackup, and the 3D downloads show the folded board. Add the board to the enclosure assembly to check its fit.
See Flex and Rigid-Flex Boards for fold settings and checks.
Update the enclosure when the board changes
Ask Flux to update the enclosure to match the latest board.
Flux can update the enclosure when the board outline, mounting holes, components, or connector positions change. Name the board change and the enclosure features that must follow it.
Update the board when the enclosure changes
Ask Flux to adjust the board and its components to fit a changed enclosure.
Flux can update the board when the enclosure dimensions, openings, or supports change. Ask it to check both models together after the update.
Export the board or full assembly
Ask Flux to export the model for the next mechanical design step.
Select Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → PCB 3D model to export the board and its component models. Select Flux menu → Export → Mechanical → Full 3D assembly to export the board and all mechanical parts in one file. Choose STEP under Solid models.
Open the STEP file in your CAD tool to continue the design. See Mechanical Drawings and Exports for model and assembly formats.
Use mechanical dimensions in firmware
Ask Flux to make mechanical dimensions available as firmware constants.
Flux can carry mechanical values such as wheelbase, arm length, and mounting spacing into firmware constants. Ask it to update the constants when the mechanical dimensions change.
See Firmware to design and update the firmware in the project.