{"id":32037,"date":"2022-05-17T10:16:07","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T17:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=32037"},"modified":"2023-06-30T07:02:34","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T14:02:34","slug":"5-reasons-why-pcb-designers-need-3d-modeling-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/5-reasons-why-pcb-designers-need-3d-modeling-software\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why PCB Designers Need 3D Modeling Software"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PCB design revisions used to be costly and time-consuming. Not anymore! Here’s why PCB designers need 3D modeling software.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the early days of PCB design<\/a>, designers focused on placement and routing. Mechanical engineers focused on ensuring the PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) fit within the enclosure. After fabricating the PCBA, the assembled prototype would be sent to the mechanical engineering team for fit verification. That\u2019s how it worked in larger companies, at least. In smaller companies, the PCB designer might also take on the role of a mechanical engineer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, mechanical problems were usually undetected until the PCBA prototype was complete. If holes didn\u2019t line up, capacitors were too tall, or cut-outs were forgotten \u2014 well, all these problems meant a re-spin of the PCB or mechanical design. Revisions to designs were costly and time-consuming, as was the communication between the PCB designer and mechanical engineer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t have to be that way. In this article, we explore five reasons why PCB designers need 3D modeling software.<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Update your PCB in real time<\/h2>\n\n\n
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3D modeling PCBs allows you to see what your design looks like immediately, and you can make changes to it in real time. You can easily see if parts are blocking other parts, and you can even integrate your PCB into a 3D model of your enclosure to check for collisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autodesk Fusion 360<\/a> creates an actual 3D model of your PCB, not a rendering. Having an existing model means the mechanical design is made up of 3D objects, not a \u201cpicture\u201d of what those 3D objects would look like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say one of your suppliers has a replacement part \u2014 simply swap out your existing part with the new one and immediately see if there will be any problems with the fit. <\/p>\n\n\n

2. Move components and traces<\/h2>\n\n
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