topic Best way to work with two stacked PCBs? in Fusion Electronics Forum

Best way to work with two stacked PCBs?

joelHJ7S5 — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:12:03 GMT

Hi folks,

I'm still quite new to Fusion, and I have seen that working with stacked PCBs isn't supported easily, but unfortunately my project will require me to stack two doulbe layer boards that will be connected with pin headers and sockets.

My project will have over 10 pin headers scattered around the PCB. How can I design the second PCB in a way that I am certain that my sockets are exactly placed where they will need to be to line up with the headers? Are there any tutorial videos or anything that can walk me through a simple project that does this? Thank you!

Re: Best way to work with two stacked PCBs?

jorge_garcia — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:36:09 GMT

Hello @joelHJ7S5 ,

I hope you're doing well. I'm not aware of any good videos showing this type of workflow however it is possible. Here's how I would approach it currently (improvements are actively in the works). Insert both 3D PCBs into a single assembly. You can then use the Edit in Place workflow to align the components on both PCBs. Another options within this workflow is to draw sketches on the 3D PCB, these can then be transferred over to the 2D PCB where you can use them for reference when placing components.

When you insert a 3D PCB into the mechanical assembly file you can enter the EIP workflow by finding the 3D PCB in the browser on the left side and right clicking on the 3D PCB you'll see the option to enter the Edit In Place mode.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

Re: Best way to work with two stacked PCBs?

wwfeldman — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:05:02 GMT

i know nothing about EIP

i have used the mounting holes as reference points for similar issues.

even if the broads are different sizes, the mounting holes are fixed locations.

so a header on one board at (x,y) from a mounting hole will have a mate at

(x+difference in mounting hole x positions, y + difference in y mounting hole locations)

any decent spreadsheet should be able to keep all of the locations straight.

you will need to pay close attention to +/- for right and left, or up and down.