Rigid-Flex design how to place parts on internal layers

[christopher2KLSVU]

I know f360 does not support rigid-flex yet, also there are just few threads on forum where people connecting two normal PCBs with flex inter-connector.

The 'whole' work around is to just use internal middle layers as flex layers and just inform the pcb manufacter to treat it as flex. Routing of tracks and vias are done as usually.

But how do I place components lets say LED (smd0805) on a internal layers?

Usually when we place parts they jump on TOP and when we want to move them to the Bottom layer we make part mirror.

Let say I defined  4layers stack:

L1 Top (FR4),
L2 Flex top
L3 flex Bot
L4 Bottom (FR4)

How to place parts on internal layers L2 or L3?

Theoretically in worst case I could make it as two separate designs with same board outlines and proper manual parts placing. One design would be a 2 layers for fr4 and second separate design for flex layers, then producing gerbers combining them together and send them to pcb manufacture.  But thats to much manual work. I hope there is much clever solution.

@jorge_garcia

@yqliu 

@RichardHammerl 

[christopher2KLSVU]

I know f360 does not support rigid-flex yet, also there are just few threads on forum where people connecting two normal PCBs with flex inter-connector.

The 'whole' work around is to just use internal middle layers as flex layers and just inform the pcb manufacter to treat it as flex. Routing of tracks and vias are done as usually.

But how do I place components lets say LED (smd0805) on a internal layers?

Usually when we place parts they jump on TOP and when we want to move them to the Bottom layer we make part mirror.

Let say I defined  4layers stack:

L1 Top (FR4),
L2 Flex top
L3 flex Bot
L4 Bottom (FR4)

How to place parts on internal layers L2 or L3?

Theoretically in worst case I could make it as two separate designs with same board outlines and proper manual parts placing. One design would be a 2 layers for fr4 and second separate design for flex layers, then producing gerbers combining them together and send them to pcb manufacture.  But thats to much manual work. I hope there is much clever solution.

@jorge_garcia

@yqliu 

@RichardHammerl 

[yqliu]

Hi @christopher2KLSVU , neither rigid-flex nor internal layers is supported and I'm afraid there is no good solution now. We will let our product manager @melisa.kaner know this requirement and prioritize it. 

[yqliu]

Hi @christopher2KLSVU , neither rigid-flex nor internal layers is supported and I'm afraid there is no good solution now. We will let our product manager @melisa.kaner know this requirement and prioritize it. 

[christopher2KLSVU]

Please just make small hack to unlock possibility to place the parts on inner layers. Or temporarily allow user to modify the layers stack so that the inner layers become top or bottom then user could place parts, route tracks and when job is done back to normal layer stack.

[christopher2KLSVU]

Please just make small hack to unlock possibility to place the parts on inner layers. Or temporarily allow user to modify the layers stack so that the inner layers become top or bottom then user could place parts, route tracks and when job is done back to normal layer stack.

[yqliu]

If you just want to create a 3D representation and won't push back to 2D,  a workaround you might try is to insert the 3D PCB into a normal design and break link, then you can make changes to the board using the modeling tools.

[yqliu]

If you just want to create a 3D representation and won't push back to 2D,  a workaround you might try is to insert the 3D PCB into a normal design and break link, then you can make changes to the board using the modeling tools.

[melisa.kaner]

Hi @christopher2KLSVU , 

As @yqliu mentioned unfortunately we don't natively support rigid-flex yet. However this topic is top of mind for us. I'd love to jump on a quick call to discuss your requirements for this. If this sounds good to you, please send me a DM and we can find some time to chat. 

Best regards,

Melisa

[melisa.kaner]

Hi @christopher2KLSVU , 

As @yqliu mentioned unfortunately we don't natively support rigid-flex yet. However this topic is top of mind for us. I'd love to jump on a quick call to discuss your requirements for this. If this sounds good to you, please send me a DM and we can find some time to chat. 

Best regards,

Melisa