Fix PCB Custom Feature

owen_sparks

Hi folks.

This PCB tool looks great (not used it yet but will soon), but just had to post this:-



We need more of this, bravo folks

Owen S.

Jake_Rosenfeld

   

mischl

saw it late now but really cool!
it definitely helps in cases like this one: https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/3835/handling-large-stp-files

the Arduino example was a STEP file but it works for every crowd of bodies?
on the PS Technical Example it is visible that the Simplify PCB option removes the embossed letters as well as two thin cylinders representing a via or track (I guess). What is the limit height below entities are cutted away?

thanks in advance

Jake_Rosenfeld

@mischl

If you see the documentation here:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/9a9b81d17d4b69e58ad9b0b0/v/c253688ad8add5efd222a709/e/3152191074466a8b45231663

The "Simplify PCB" option will slice off all protrusions (no matter what the height) off of the top and bottom of the selected "PCB top face" and "PCB bottom face".  The selected "Components" (parts which are unattached to the original board) are not affected by this option and will not be sliced away at all.  These components can be simplified into boxes using the "Simplify components" option.



The origin of the parts is not important to the feature.  Internally, all geometry is represented the same in Onshape after import.  The feature will only work on solids, though.  Surfaces are not allowed.

mischl

thank you for the explanation.

I red the documentation but have not considered the difference between protrusions and components, which have an additional face against the board...

mark_leger

Is it possible to use this with assemblies? @Jake_Rosenfeld
I have existing imported pcb assemblies where the accompanying part studio is all the parts stacked together at the origin.  Doing it there would not help much.

Thanks,
Mark

MBartlett21

Try using import into a single part studio when you import the file

owen_sparks

Or an in context edit of the assembly, followed by a transform copy in place of all the parts, then run the FS on that.

TimRice

mbartlett21 said:

Try using import into a single part studio when you import the file

For a collection of parts as large as a PCB normally is we would not recommend this option. Incontext is likely the best option.