SOLIDWORKS PCB
Seamless ECAD/MCAD Collaboration
What is SOLIDWORKS PCB?
SOLIDWORKS PCB, powered by Altium, enables seamless collaboration between ECAD/MCAD teams. Effortlessly create schematics, PCB layouts, and generate outputs in one easy-to-use application. By syncing data between environments, SOLIDWORKS PCB’s bidirectional connector communicates information in real-time, eliminating the guesswork and accelerating your time to market.
Tools
Intelligent tools to meet the demands of your mechatronic designs.
Library Management Tools
Easily create and manage schematic, footprint, and integrated libraries directly within SOLIDWORKS PCB. There are a variety of tools to create schematic symbols and PCB footprints including an IPC compliant footprint wizard.
SOLIDWORKS 3D Collaboration
Seamlessly collaborate ECAD designs between electrical and mechanical teams. There’s no exporting or importing files - all communication and 3D board information is communicated through the built-in SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector. This connector ensures that the PCB is going to fit in an enclosure, and if not, it can be modified and pushed back to the electrical designer. The connector also allows for silkscreen and copper to be represented in 3D.
SOLIDWORKS PDM Integration
SOLIDWORKS PCB can be integrated with SOLIDWORKS PDM to securely manage all the files that are inherently required for an ECAD design, including revision control. Projects can begin inside of PDM and have part numbers generated automatically.
Schematic Layout
Powerful and intuitive schematic layout tools allow designers to create the intelligence behind the printed circuit board with ease. Build circuits by drag and dropping components from the library and connect components with intelligent wiring tools. Automatically annotate components formulaically to ensure unique component identifiers. Designers can also run spice simulations to confirm that the circuit is set up correctly.
Supplier Links
When designing a printed circuit board, it’s essential to have an up to date Bill of Materials. SOLIDWORKS PCB can create and manage supplier links that connect to live supplier databases, showing datasheets, stock availability, and cost of real-life components.
PCB Layout
Create printed circuit boards quickly and easily by importing nets and components from the schematic. Interactively route traces from a single or multiple pads at the same time, generate board stackups that contain up to 32 mechanical and single layers, and create customized design rules to meet requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
SOLIDWORKS PCB can natively open .schlib, .pcblib, and .intlib library file types. Depending on other file formats, it has a variety of importing tools. Additionally, Database links can be created and managed in SOLIDWORKS PCB.
SOLIDWORKS PCB can generate all the output documentation that is needed to send your board to the fabrication house, including Gerber, Pick-and-Place, NC Drill, and more.
Since the SOLIDWORKS PCB 2019 release, copper and silkscreen both come through the connector. The silkscreen comes as a decal laid on the board outline component. The copper can either be a decal for visual purposes or as a fully defined 3D copper body.
Any tier of MCAD SOLIDWORKS can work with the SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector.
SOLIDWORKS PCB is the only printed circuit board design tool that seamlessly integrates with the SOLIDWORKS PDM environment. PCB projects can be created directly in PDM with automatically generated part numbers and templates. They can be checked in and out for revision control directly inside of the PCB application.
SOLIDWORKS PCB Features
Proven PCB Design Tools
Speed up your designs with SOLIDWORKS PCB Powered by Altium. Harnessing SOLIDWORKS' intuitive user interface with Altium's intelligent printed circuit board design engine, these two platforms have come together to develop a powerful PCB design tool. Using the easy-to-use, ribbon-based interface minimizes time spent navigating dropdown toolbars and maximizes the amount of time your designers are actually designing. The schematic and PCB symbols have all the parameters and functionality you are familiar with from Altium but can be used in a streamlined SOLIDWORKS workflow.
Integration in the SOLIDWORKS Ecosystem
SOLIDWORKS PCB is the only design tool that integrates natively in the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem. SOLIDWORKS PCB harnesses the organizational capabilities of SOLIDWORKS PDM to manage all documentation required for PCB design, allowing SOLIDWORKS PCB to take advantage of the built-in subversion control, in addition to managing the different revisions on the product as well. By collaborating in the 3D SOLIDWORKS environment, it’s easy to create boards that are guaranteed to fit in their enclosures. After designing your board, SOLIDWORKS' parametric drawing tools can be used to document the PCB layout. If any changes are needed, any adjustments made will be updated on the drawing automatically.
Electrical and Mechanical Collaboration
SOLIDWORKS PCB facilitates Electrical and Mechanical design teams to integrate seamlessly. One of the most challenging parts of creating an electromechanical design is making sure all teams are on the same page. With the built-in SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector, it’s easy to communicate design intent between teams. The connector is a panel that allows the user to “push” the design from ECAD to MCAD. The initial push creates a SOLIDWORKS board assembly, encompassing the board outline and the electrical components that were placed in the PCB layout. The mechanical use can change the board shape and move components around as necessary. Once the mechanical changes have been made, the mechanical user can just “push” the changes back to the ECAD application. This push-pull workflow eliminates having to export boards as distinct files which is tedious and can lead to teams referencing the wrong versions.
Full Design Integration
SOLIDWORKS PCB allows the entire Electro-Mechanical project to be represented in 3D. This full design integration allows for a complete mechanical and PDM BOM. By having all components represented in 3D, SOLIDWORKS Simulation can be used to optimize the PCB environment. If there are any red flags in the design, they can be addressed well before production even begins. SOLIDWORKS PCB can also help create compelling marketing images by pairing with SOLIDWORKS Visualize. Having a board complete with all components, copper and silkscreen can be used in SOLIDWORKS Visualize to create renders of the full design.
SOLIDWORKS Services:
Utilize GoEngineer’s Award Winning Support & Training for SOLIDWORKS
Award Winning Technical Support
GoEngineer's extensive SOLIDWORKS technical knowledge and world class support can help you succeed with SOLIDWORKS. Our award-winning team is ready to help you with any task you may have. Using state-of-art remote assistant technology software allows our team to solve most issues within one session. Reach out and see why GoEngineer is the #1 reseller of SOLIDWORKS and Stratasys systems in the world!
- 125+Certified Technical Specialists
- Email, Phone and Chat Support Available
- 98% Exceptional Customer Service Rating
PROFESSIONAL SOLIDWORKS TRAINING
GoEngineer offers online and classroom professional SOLIDWORKS training for organizations and individuals. All our instructors are SOLIDWORKS certified and teach thousands of students each year world wide. The curriculum is very diverse with numerous certified SOLIDWORKS courses to choose from. Each student will receive a Course Completion Certificate and preparation materials for SOLIDWORKS certification.
- Increase Your Earning Potential
- Led by Certified SOLIDWORKS Instructors
- Smaller Classes with Focused Attention
Additional Resources
Take Advantage of GoEngineer’s Extensive Knowledge Base and Resources
Find a Solution
Our robust Knowledge Base contains over 12,000 resources to help answer your product design questions. From basic CAD questions to in-depth guides and tutorials, find your solution here. Find a Solution
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Improve your skills with professional training and certifications in SOLIDWORKS, CAM, 3D Printing, and 3D Scanning offered four ways: self-paced, online, on-site, or in-classroom. Certified Training Courses
BLOG
#1 Technical Resource Worldwide - Right at your fingertips. Search or browse through hundreds of SOLIDWORKS tips & tricks, additive manufacturing product developments, announcements, how-to guides, and tutorials. Blog
YouTube Channel
Our YouTube channel hosts hundreds of educational tutorials, product demonstrations, recorded webinars, and best practices for all of our products and services. GoEngineer's YouTube Channel
ONLINE STORE
Order 3D printing materials and consumables, enroll in SOLIDWORKS training classes, and buy official GoEngineer gear directly from our online store. Online Store
FREE SOLIDWORKS Tools
Enjoy this collection of small ‘macros’ that were tailored to help our customers. These free SOLIDWORKS tools are for you to use, review, and modify. SOLIDWORKS Automation Tools
WEBINARS
Our engineering webinars are hosted by some of the top experts in the industry. They are always recorded, always free, and always offer a live Q&A. WEBINARS
