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Physical Circuit Modeling Software - jrblasde - 12-14-2024

Does anyone do much in the way of physically modeling radio chassis in CAD software? If so, I’m curious what software you use. I’ve long used KiCAD for schematic design; it’s a fantastic piece of software if you then want to roll that into a PCB, but not so much for point-to-point soldering on a metal chassis. I’d like to do a bit of modeling to take notes on wire paths and the locations of terminal blocks. Usually I hand draw these prior to disassembling a radio, but I got to thinking that surely a program exists for this!

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - jrblasde - 12-15-2024

I’ve been digging around, and there’s a program called FreeCAD which looks to be a good contender. It’s reminiscent of the AutoDesk software we use at work. It resembles Inventor more than it does AutoCAD. I might just give it a try! I’d like to mock up the underside of my 46-480 chassis to depict the wire paths. From reading the documentation I see that there are a number of wirepaths which are extremely critical.

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - morzh - 12-15-2024

I was about to suggest going to some mechanical engr forums and asking for a free CAD recommendation, plus using Google to simply look for such a CAD, but it seems like you more or less have done the same.
Free tools ain't necessarily bad; KiCAD, which I used maybe twice and have installed on my work computer (a small cvompany we acquired at some point did jobs using it), upon having myself used it, turned out quite a capable tool. (Even though the guys who used it were amaturish, judging by the circuits they used and the PCB routing. But they were good otherwise.)
So, some of the free mechanical CADs might turn out to be not bad either.

I used AutoCAD/AutoDesk over 30 years ago when starting my career in the US, and having to wear multiple hats, one of which was dealing with mechanical designs. I since have not used anything at all other than EE CADs. Folks around me used everything from the AutroCAD, Pro-E, Inventor, and to SolidWorks. I try to not to get myself involved in any of that, as if one does, he will be immediately pulled into doing things in it, and this involves heavy duty dealing with all things Microsoft, like Axapta/BlueStar, and this is a nightmare.

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - jrblasde - 12-15-2024

I concur—free software can be quite capable! I have nothing bad to say about KiCAD. It’s a very powerful program. Schematic creation can be a bit cumbersome, but I attribute it to the fact that it’s a feature-rich program.

I think I mentioned it once before, but I am an ardent supporter of the Linux and GNU GPL community. They produce some top-notch software, and it’s entirely free. I used many of these programs throughout my time in school.

I will let you all know how the 3D modeling goes in FreeCAD. From what I’ve read, it’s among the more capable 3D modeling programs available for free.

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - radiorich - 12-15-2024

Hello Guys,
AutoDesk software and I use fusion 360 for my 3d cad drawing .
Fusion has a PCb design software I have used it to design circuits and PCB and sent to files to PCB way .

Sincerely Richard

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - jrblasde - 12-15-2024

I know that AutoDesk has largely (if not completely) moved toward a subscription-based software model. AutoCAD and Inventor, for instance, can no longer be owned outright. The user must pay for a month, a year, etc. at a time. That said, I have not used Fusion 360. Is it the same situation?

I will say that FreeCAD is going well. I’ve been fumbling around quite a bit as I figure it out, but I’ve just about got a workable model of the metal chassis. Next I’ll model the RF chassis, and finally the terminal blocks and wires.

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - morzh - 12-15-2024

Up until this new model, the idea was, you buy your software outright, and pay for support, should you need it. If you decided you no longer do, you freeze the license and use what you have, no upgrades.
This is the situation with my PADS right now. I know it well enough to not need any support.
Today there is more of that subscription nonsense. I mean, maybe from the corporate perspective it makes sense, dunno.
In todays EE CADs there are many things that are not needed often or for many people; this is why I am happy with PADS 9.5 and probably would work even better with PADS 5, when at the company where I used it, we had more expensive package, with diff pairs, by a layer rules etc. When I felt we no longer needed upgrades, we froze the license just the same.

This said, KiCAD is good. What's even better, the most popular found everywhere CAD library models are for Altium and KiCAD, so (I like to build my own parts) manhy folks would be happy to not having to deal with library anymore.

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - radiorich - 12-16-2024

Hello jrblasde,
Yes, it is unless you work in school environment or are going to school .
Since I work at the school I get it for free !
Sincerely Richard
P.S. morzh my Corel draw and Photo are the same way now too .

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - jrblasde - 12-16-2024

Now if only it were free while still repaying school loans. Icon_biggrin Finally I am down to about four more payments!

RE: Physical Circuit Modeling Software - morzh - 12-16-2024

Corel Draw, wow....that brings back memories...Corel also owned Ventura Publisher, and that was my go to publishing application. I was in my very early 30s then.