IMS boards in Altium

[DutchGert]

Hey guys,


I can't seem to figure out a way to define a IMS (Insulated Metal Substrate) PCB instead of the regular FR-4 boards in Altium. Does anyone now if this is even supported?

For now I use the following layer stack (see image) but of course  this is not a proper definition of a real IMS board in therms of thermal properties, design rules (only one layer, no via's) and 3D view.
For now I am stuck with Eurocircuits IMS solution (http://www.eurocircuits.com/index.php/component/content/article/4-services/169-ims-pool-default-values) so I would like to model my layer stack to there constrains and properties.

[T3sl4co1l]

What is different about IMS from a regular board?  Do you not simply send them files and specify that it's IMS?

Tim

[DutchGert]

That is not the problem but for instance it is a 1 layer board. Altium only knows 2 layer boards as a minimum (so it looks like) so your design rules (no via's etc) are screwed up.
Then, an IMS instead of FR-4 back has effects on the impedance of the tracks, now it looks like there is no way to have automatically impedance matched tracks.
Then, the 3D visualisation, it would be nice to see that u actually us a metal backplate or even export it properties in the STEP file for the mechanical boys.

Of course I can draw the board 1 layer and send it to the production house but it would be a lot nice if Altium would have support for IM boards or if someone knows a good work around for the above problems.

[mkissin]

You should try asking in the Altium forums. I'm sure it's something that has come up before.

http://forum.live.altium.com/

The people there are generally very helpful.