SOLIDWORKS PCB

Lesson 1 – SOLIDWORKS PCB Basics - The first lesson of this course introduces the user to the basics of SOLIDWORKS PCB, including the user interface and the PCB Services Connector. The user will also be introduced to collaboration principles with MCAD.

Lesson 2 – Working with PCB Design Projects - In lesson 2 the user will be taught how to create a project, add documents to the project including libraries, how to export a design and project management. They will also see the connection to PCB Services.

Lesson 3 – Creating Schematic Templates - Lesson 3 introduces the user on how to create schematic templates to be applied at the start of a schematic document. They will also be shown how to customise a title block and define multi-level parameters.

Lesson 4 – Configuring the Schematic Preferences - Lesson 4 considers preferences for schematic creation, including drawings of wires (connections, nets), buses and also looks at the Auto Panning options of the display window.

Lesson 5 – Creating Symbols - This lesson shows how to create new schematic symbols and introduces the symbol wizard.

Lesson 6 – Populating Schematics - In lesson 6 the user will learn how to add components to the schematic design from libraries, how to place parts with supplier details and how to insert ‘common’ power ports. They will also learn how to associate libraries to the project.

Lesson 7 – Creating Schematic Connections - Upon completion of lesson 7, the user will be able to use various placement modes and modifying commands, whilst placing (routing) wires (connections) and buses. They will also be able to identify wires by labelling them with a named net label.

Lesson 8 – Using Schematic Annotations - Lesson 8 teaches the user how to configure schematic annotations for component references, to review changes prior to implementation, then validate, and execute engineering change orders

Lesson 9 – Compiling and Verification - Lesson 9 introduces the principle of design violation checks for the schematic design, including definition, error/warning reporting and reviews resolution of errors.

Lesson 10 – Collaborating with SOLIDWORKS - Lesson 10 looks at the collaboration of ECAD with MCAD in the SOLIDWORKS design space. The lesson covers both the creation of a board within MCAD and its push to ECAD as well as creating the board in ECAD and pushing it to MCAD.

Lesson 11 – Configuring Layers & PCB Stacks - Lesson 11 introduces the concepts around layer definition for the board design. The configuration includes layer types and layer stacks, including drill pairs and board thickness.

Lesson 12 – Designing Rigid-Flex PCBs - This lesson introduces the functionality for the creation of Rigid-Flex designs, including multiple stack ups, bend lines and angles and how these work within collaboration.

Lesson 13 – Configuring the Outline, Cutouts and Keepouts - In Lesson 13 the user will look at local modification and definition of the board outline shape. It also shows how to define cutouts within the board and instructs on the application of keepouts. This lesson includes instruction on component placement constraints.

Lesson 14 – Configuring Origins and Grids - Lesson 14 shows how to set an origin and setup Cartesian and polar grids.

Lesson 15 – Transferring Design Data - Lesson 15 teaches how to add a footprint to a PCB via the associated schematic symbol. How to update the PCB with changes from the circuit design in the schematic, as well as making changes in the PCB environment and synchronising them back to the schematic.

Lesson 16 – Creating Footprints - Lesson 16 shows how to create new PCB footprints and introduces the IPC Footprint Wizard.

Lesson 17 – Placing Footprints - Lesson 17 looks at how to position components footprints within the PCB layout and introduces the concept of re-positioning them within the MCAD environment through collaboration.

Lesson 18 – Using Design Rule Checks - After completion of Lesson 18, the user will be able to define and manage design rules for clearance and routing, as well as prioritising those rules to ensure the correct rule is applied within any given situation.

Lesson 19 – Routing - Lesson 19 investigates functionality for routing the nets in the PCB. The lesson will cover routing preferences, interactive routing, via placement and the use of multi-trace routing. Also covered will be auto-routing, modification of existing routes and an introduction to decals/modelled copper in SOLIDWORKS MCAD.

Lesson 20 – Defining Polygon Pour - Lesson 20 introduces the concept of poured copper. It will show how to define the parameters of the pour and how to create the shape for the polygon pour.

Lesson 21 – Inspection – Global Edition - Lesson 21 looks at interrogation of the design, finding ‘like’ objects and modifying them simultaneously. It will also look at the Object Inspector to view properties.

Lesson 22 – Outputting Data - On completion of Lesson 22, the user will be able to configure and generate a variety of manufacturing outputs from the project.