Can you fold a PCB in electronics yet?

[eric_engineer]

I feel like the one strength Fusion has is it's CAD integration. It could work really well for flex and flex rigid boards that have to be bent to fit a housing or product. But I didn't see a way to do it.

Thank you,

-Eric

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @eric_engineer,

Not yet but we are working on it, definitely something we want to have support for. I've added your comments to the existing ticket for this feature request.

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

Best Regards,

[nickenglish8]

I'm not sure if I understand what is meant by "fold", but I have a possibly similar question.  I want to create a pcb that makes a 90 degree turn.  So one "side" has screw terminals and then the actual board makes a 90 degree turn and components are placed that have traces to the adjacent side.  Is this possible? Or is this similar to the OP?  Thanks!

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @nickenglish8,

I hope you're doing well. I don't think this is related to the original post, the original post deals with flexible circuits specifically.  From your description I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to do. Would you be able to post a picture?

That would help me figure out exactly what you are trying to do.

Best Regards,

[nickenglish8]

Here is a picture I found of one that I am trying to explain.  Thanks!

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @nickenglish8,

Thank you for the photo. That is very helpful indeed.

This is possible within Fusion 360, the key is that you'll have to do it as two PCBs. One PCB is the vertical PCB, the other is the one the tubes(valves) mount to.

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

Best Regards,

[nickenglish8]

I am very new to pcbs.  Is this how all pcbs that make that 90 degree turn are made (two boards soldered together via tubes or valves)?  Are there pcbs that the traces actually make that turn inside and it is one piece from the pcb producer?

Another question regarding this.  If I plan to have a "daughter board" similar to what you are describing.  Should I create the daughter board and then import it in to the main board schematic some how?  Or, do you create a an electronic package some how?

Thanks!

Thanks for your help!

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @nickenglish8,

PCBs are generally flat so the only way to get an arrangement like the one you showed is by putting multiple PCBs together. I would recommend that you make the two PCBs as completely separate electronics designs. Once you want to check the fit then you can go ahead and bring the 2 PCBs into a mechanical design file.

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

Best Regards,

[eric_engineer]

@nickenglish8,

        It looks like that board you posted is two different boards and then it is soldered together at the fingers in the corner. This was likely to save money over using connectors. Like Jorge said, making two boards and connecting them either with connectors, or card-edge connector, or like this is more common. There are other methods like flex-rigid where you have two rigid PCBs with a flexible pcb in between. And there is even semi-flex where they thin out a section of the PCB and bend it in manufacturing (and I guess there are also bendable aluminum PCBs). But these are more expensive and more uncommon boards to make. If you just need something simple and cheap, then the two board approach is the way to go. You can even make both those boards on the same panel to save money and then break them out at manufacturing (or in your house 🙂