Creating Voids, Slots or Cutouts In a PCB
Contributed by Martin Keenan
Overview
It is often necessary to create voids/slots/cutouts or holes in your PCB design. This can easily be achieved in DesignSpark PCB...
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Details
We have had a number of requests from our members asking "how do I create a void/cutout/slot in my PCB design"? for example this one where a shape was imported via DXF from AutoCAD. Of course using slots in your PCB is likely to up the cost of manufacture, but it is often necessary.
In DesignSpark PCB the simplest way to create a slot is by using another board outline within your PCB design.
In DesignSpark PCB any shape will have a type - either a board outline or a generic shape. This is useful when adding cutouts. Due to the ability to import DXF files, an intricate board outline or shape can be created in a mechanical CAD package and then imported to DesignSpark. These items can be imported as either shapes or board outlines and used as required. The editor within the software can be used to create complex shapes but it can still be desirable to use a mechanical CAD package or use a shape that has already been created before you commence work on the pcb design.
There are any number of circumstances where a hole is required for mounting or clearance and with DesignSpark PCB it is very easy to accomplish this by simply using a board outline within the PCB. The added advantage of this method is that the autorouter will recognise this as a cutout boundary and will not attempt to route across the empty space.
Board outlines are not layer biased in DesignSpark PCB so they appear on all layers of the design. Ensure you include the board outline on your plots (the software will always warn you if you do not) - and by using the method above for slots the cutouts will appear on all layers where you include a board outline in the plot.
Below are a couple of simple examples where a cutout has been specified by using a board outline to define the slot.
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fever2tel
Hi, what if you want a slot in your component (a library item)? some connector have flat pads that require plated slots not holes.
How would you manage that?
MasterFX
It seems there is no way to do this. The "Board-Outline-Tool" is disabled in the library designer.
Please add this feature in the next version! It is terrible to create a milling outline everytime i.e. for DC Power Jacks.
MasterFX
Sorry I was wrong. You can create a mechanical Layer for Components too!!!
When you create a PCB-Symbol go to "Settings => Design Technology". Then go to Layer Types. Create a new Type called "Mechanical" or so. Deselect all Checkboxes and set "Usage" to Non-Electrical.
Then go to Layers, add a Layer called "mechanical" or so. Select as Type your "new" Layer Type "Mechanical" and then add a new rectange in the mechanical layer for your component. Then save it.
In your PCB Design do the same (add layer type, add layer). For your manufacturing Plots add a new plot for the machanical layer. Thats it.
Lumenico
Hi ... if I want to create a U shaped cut-out from the edge of the board, how would you do that?
Appreciate the help.
Martin Keenan
Hi Lumenico,
Not sure precisely what you mean - but, you can modify the edge of the board as required, into any shape you can make by using the editor and ARC to add curves. This editor works like the "edit segment" operation which is well explained in the help file - you can use arcs, angles, co-ordinates and so on.
If it is a cutout from within the confines of your board then the solution posted above here applies
Hope this helps, if not let us know
Martin
Lumenico
Hi ... if I want to create a U shaped cut-out from the edge of the board, how would you do that?
Appreciate the help.