How to create a library component with no footprint?

[anthonyEX9NB]

I need to create a library component that has no footprint, but it still has a 3D package. I want this component to be in the Bill of Materials list and I would like to be able to manipulate the 3D package on the 3D model of the PCB.

Here's an example .... I am using one of those blade style automotive fuses in my design. I have created the fuse block in my library. But the actual fuse that plugs into the fuse block is the component I need to create. The fuse isn't mounted directly to the PCB so it doesn't have a footprint, but I want to place it in my schematic beside the fuse block so that it doesn't get forgotten when it comes to ordering parts. And It would be nice to be able to show the fuse plugged into the fuse block in the 3D model of the PCB.

The same question applies to things like mounting screws and stand-offs and other hardware.

What's the best way to do this?

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @anthonyEX9NB,

I hope you're doing well. This is tricky to do, it's currently not possible to have a component that has no footprint but has a 3D model. You could workaround it by making a footprint that has no copper and just features on some none gerber layer.

If the fuse always has to go with the fuse block then here is what I would do. In the Fuse Block component I would put the attributes for the fuse block AND the fuse. That way when you make the BOM the attributes for the flock are picked up but so are the ones for the fuse. You can have the 3D model be the combined model of the block and fuse.

That's how I would personally manage it.

Let me know what you think.

Best Regards,

[anthonyEX9NB · Accepted solution]

Hello Jorge;

Thanks for these options. I think I will use your first suggestion where I create a footprint with no copper but with >NAME and >VALUE on a non-gerber layer. This way the fuses will show up as individual records on the Bill of Materials file. This is the way I did it when I was using Eagle 7.7.0 (I switched to Fusion 360 from Eagle 7.7.0 and was hoping that this would process would have been figured out). I don't absolutely need a 3D model of the fuse, but I will try it and see how it works.

I also want to be able to place screws and other hardware in the schematic, again so they will show up as individual records in the BoM file. I'm hoping I can attach 3D models of the hardware parts this way, but we'll see how it goes.