pcb stacking connectors

[markus.dnd]

Hey .

I am a new person here and have been lurking so far.

Late (3 days ago, to be exact) I ran in to problem with making stacked pcbs. My first version had some offset but after mechanic took a look at step files he found that when I migrate from one pcb to another (different sizes all, because of size constraints) i have a lot of small mistakes.

Are there any suggestions on how to create stacking connectors and connector holes in altium ?

By the question I mean that there seems to be no way to align board to other boards holes or external mechanical constraints. Also when going to smd connectors (for now there are 3 boards stacked but in the later stage there will be 6 of which 3 are the same pcb-s) It seems that the only way to really do this work the right way, I need to learn solidworks or something similar and have to start mechanical cad work.

For my first 2 stacked pcb I did it "by the eye and measures from edges". that did not play out too well.

Hmm, I hope the question is understandable and if not, ask away. It is past time I start working on my written English and get more practice than just reading datasheets.

[dboyer]

I find that Altium's 3d capabilities are perfect for this.  Companies like Samtec make 3d models of their parts available, and if you are consistent about adding models to your libraries its pretty easy to do fit checks. 

We design the board, export the step file and load it into Geomagic design (other programs would be fine).  Geomagic makes it easy to 'fix' the mounting holes so the boards move on one axis, and then you just slide them together and see if the models fit.  I've had no problem with things fitting if the model works. 

If your mechanical guy has cad software like solidworks, it should be possible to check the boards before manufacturing.

[markus.dnd]

Aa yes, that is exactly how we are doing at the moment.

I was hoping to do it in altium somehow. Because when doing multiple board stacking, then it might happen that some connectors are without guiding holes (using one such series from samtec.

For now we have used double checking. I do the design as nicely as I can and then the mechanical guy takes step files and aligns he connectors and gives me fix coordinates. (move component A +x mm and componend B - x mm)

Connectors with holes are easy yes.
The lack of support for stacking connectors in altium is little surprising. I was hoping to have cross reference on multiple boards (referenced to a hole for example) because then I could align everything myself. The reliance on other programs makes me a little bit un-easy.

[thm_w]

Your SMD connectors should have center reference marks on some layer.

You could:
- place dimensions from some defined point to centers, and compare between drawings.
- draw a grid, with defined locations for connector centers/edge, then snap the connectors. Then copy this grid to the second PCB, and again snap your centers of your connectors to that.
- copy PCB1 connectors and paste into PCB2 into some reference layer (think this is possible, cant recall the specifics).

[markus.dnd]

pretty useful ideas here. The reference layer is the most interesting one. Will be reading about this.