Making a box for a PCB: Extrude/stamp a block following the target surface

[robin_vandeneynde]

Hi all,

I essentially would like to know if its is possible to 'stamp' a very variable surface (different extrusion spacing, heights, widths, ...) into the face of a block. I thought it would be possible to extrude the block to next face/body, but it seems to not be that easy.

I am looking to make a box (3D printer) to fit in a PCB. As you can see from the image the PCB has lots of pins and I would like to make a somewhat tight fit around these pins. I believe this entails making a floorboard (in Inventor) that has holes in these exact positions. Is this possible?

Since the pins are soldered on myself, they can be a bit tilted and on a different height as I have in the CAD file. Can I also have this floorboard with holes that go all the way through and that are slightly bigger than the pins themselves?

Thank you alot!!

Best,
Robin

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

Do all pins have to have individual caves, or can they just be larger areas with empty space?

[robin_vandeneynde]

This does not have to be the case, no. Some of the pins 'grouped' in a square shaped hole, for example, is perfectly fine.

[kacper.suchomski · Accepted solution]

So just sketch a few areas and extrude them to the appropriate heights.

[robin_vandeneynde]

Thank you! 

Indeed this is an option, but I am not sure if my methodology is correct. I tried to do this in the following way:
1. I have the PCB and the custom block overlaid (without holes) in an assembly.
2. I draw squares where I want them to be (negatively) extruded.
3. I remove the PCB and keep this block with holes. This I can now export as a step file.

Does it matter that it is an .iam and not an .ipt (part)?

[NigelHay]

You could just improve your soldering skills😀

If you have a CAD file of the PCB, you could create a block then subtract the shape of the PCB & use extrusions to open up the areas around the pins.

[robin_vandeneynde]

Hi Nigel,

Working on the soldering 😉

How do you do this 'subtraction'?

[NigelHay]

Have a look at the video here.

[robin_vandeneynde]

Great, thanks!

A final question then. You talk about extrusions to open up the area around the pins; do you mean manually sketching and then extruding? Or is there a 'smart' way.

[NigelHay]

No, I'm not that smart.

I would just sketch & extrude, then you can group pins as you see fit.

[SBix26]

Another method is to derive the PCB as a composite surface into a new part file, then design the box around it in that file.  You can reference various edges and faces of the PCB within that file so as to create the cavities you want.

If you can post your PCB file, or something similar, I or someone else can show you how that works.

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025 | Windows 11 Home 23H2

[robin_vandeneynde]

Hey Sam,

It would be great if you could show it with a short movie!
I attached a PCB (not mine) so you can use it as an example.

Thanks a lot!

[SBix26]

The part file you attached is Inventor 2017 version-- is that the version of Inventor that you're using?

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025 | Windows 11 Home 23H2

[robin_vandeneynde]

Hi Sam,

Sorry for the delayed response. The PC where I send you the file from has a 2017 version. However, I also use the 2024 version.

[SBix26]

Here are two files for you, both Inventor 2024 format.  One is just the PCB with the two components repaired which were surfaces, not solid bodies.  The other is the beginnings of the design of a box for it, in which I first derived the PCB as surfaces, then constructed two separate solid bodies around it.  It is by no means complete, but you can go through it and figure out what I did so far.

Derived Part dialog:

Partially completed box design with the Derived Part feature highlighted:

At any point in the process, you can use Make Components to derive these solid bodies into separate parts and place them into an assembly, in which you also place the PCB, along with fasteners and other components.  The parts are defined in the master model, and that's where you make changes as you refine your design, then update the assembly to see the results.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025.0.1 | Windows 11 Home 23H2