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.

• Build multi-part assemblies and mechanisms, and place parts by face, edge, or axis constraints. 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 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.

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:

Edit an imported 3D model

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

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…. Import a .lib or .kicad_sym symbol library with its .kicad_mod footprint and matching .step or .stp model files. You can also import .json part files with matching .step or .stp models.

Export mechanical files

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

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

• AI for hardware design

• Data portability

• Export and manufacturing