I have designed a PCB where a device is glued and there will be wires bonded from the device to transmission lines on the PCB.
I would like to have the bond pads on the PCB and device on an elevated surface with respect to the rest of the PCB (image attached). I wasn’t able to find a way to render something similar to what I drew in the image. Is this something I can do in KiCad? (as it stands, the PCB is perfectly flat (right bottom image) but I would like to introduce an elevated surface, similar to what I have drawn on the right top.)
I think you ask the wrong question here. The question is not “can KiCad do it” but “can a PCB manufacturer make it” to which i fear the answer might be “not in a standard process”. (Something similar is seen with rigid flex but i am unaware of this being available in pure rigid processes)
Thank you for the response. Well, I want to have a rendering that shows the elevation in KiCad so I can present it to PCB manufacturers. Can this be done in KiCad?
You might be able to fake it by having the elevated portion with component on it as part of the footprint’s 3D model.
This might also point to how you eventually may have to do this with your chip glued to a smaller piece of FR4 (or other material) that is later glued to the board, then wire bonded. (As Ivan Miranda says: “Spacers!”)
It sounds like the castellated pads will have the signal from the spacer PCB exposed to the outside before it goes into the transmission layer of the bottom PCB. For DC experiment, it should be fine but I am worried it will degrade signals in the microwave regime.
Thought I understood but, after reading the posts, I guess I’m not clear on what you’re wanting to do.
I’ve done some Mother-Daughter boards and it’s worked out pretty well for my needs.
How I do it:
Create your MotherBoard in the usual way.
Create a CAD file for the DaughterBoard and export it (step or wrl).
Make a part/FootPrint from the DaugherBoard and set its elevation/position as needed (Draw a Silk shape so it’s selectable on the PCB).
You can add pads/etc to footprint pcb…
[EDIT] Elaborating…
Since it’s really just a graphic nicety to see, I suggest:
Make both Mother and Daughter boards stuffed with your parts.
Load the Daughter/stuff into FreeCad using StepUp.
Export it as STEP/WRL…
Now, use it for a Part/Footprint using the above approach.
Sure, you can make wires…
Example of quickly done to illustrate and shown in the 3DView…
So, I installed FreeCad, installed KiCad stepup tool, and attempted to load my kicad board (image attached, button circled in black).
However, I got an error message (2nd image attached). It could still import the PCB but no SMD component footprints were present.
I also tried exporting my PCB from KiCad into a step file and opened the step file into FreeCad but on both occasions, the imported board showed no surface mount component footprints.
In fact, though perhaps updated models are good, thus far, I’ve found it much quicker to make my own 3D models so I have control.
I’ve made about 30 models for my Kicad projects and, after the past 10 minutes of making a demo of what I suggested/did/do, I tried using an existing model of an Edge Card connector. But, again, “old-type” hindered me.
I may get around to it but, below is a result of doing exactly as I posted but, this time I added stuff to the PCB before loading into StepUp. Then, I made a Ribbon/Flex cable ‘Dumb’ model.
Probably should have included Stand-Off’s and screws but, you get it…
[EDIT] I suggest doing a simple test: Make some Models or use one that works, such as an LED.
Put one or two on the PCB and make sure it displays in the 3DView.
Then, load the PCB into StepUp. Repeat until you get a good result.
Then, in FreeCad, you can raise the attach position to some value and build (in a new Part/Body) your wires, cable, standoffs…
Lastly, there will be some learning/tricks to get under your belt, including making your FreeCad stuff into a Compound so they retain color…etc.
