Manuals+

FreeCAD for Electronics Applications

Practical Introduction to 3D Modeling from Enclosure to Front Panel

By Dr. Thomas Duden

Published by Elektor International Media B.V.

Cover Description

The cover features a screenshot of the FreeCAD software interface. It displays a 3D model of an electronic enclosure, likely for a lab instrument, with front panel components such as a large rotary switch labeled "ON" and "POWER", several binding posts (labeled "5V", "GND"), and a pilot light. The FreeCAD interface shows the project tree on the left, listing components like "Front Panel Sheet", "Rotary Switch", and "Binding Posts", along with a property editor displaying dimensions and settings. The background suggests a circuit board trace pattern.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1: Introduction (Page 9)
  • Chapter 2: Starting Out With FreeCAD (Page 11)
    • 2.1 Extending the Functionality of FreeCAD (Page 11)
    • 2.1.1 AddOns (Page 12)
    • 2.1.2 Workbenches (Page 12)
    • 2.1.3 Macros (Page 12)
    • 2.1.4 Starting the new Extensions (Page 13)
    • 2.2 Workbenches and Context Menus (Page 13)
    • 2.3 Automatic Workbench Switchover (Page 13)
    • 2.4 The Tree View (Page 14)
    • 2.5 The Output Window (Page 15)
  • Chapter 3: Project Organization (Page 16)
    • 3.1 Std-Part-Container versus Body (Page 16)
    • 3.1.1 Placement versus Attachment (Page 17)
    • 3.1.2 Assembly or Std-Part-Container? (Page 18)
    • 3.2 The Topological Naming Problem (Page 18)
    • 3.3 Sketches and Datum Objects (Page 18)
    • 3.4 Other Strategies to Avoid the Topological Naming Problem (Page 19)
    • 3.5 Avoidance of Repetitive Work by Project Structure (Page 19)
    • 3.6 Always Start with the Std-Part-Container (Page 19)
    • 3.7 Shape Binder and SubShapeBinder (Page 20)
    • 3.7.1 The Shape Binder (blue) (Page 21)
    • 3.7.2 The SubShapeBinder (green) (Page 22)
    • 3.7.3 How to Reference Cut-and-Pasted Std-Part-Containers (Page 22)
    • 3.7.4 Redefining the References after Paste (Page 24)
  • Chapter 4: Creating Parts -- First Steps (Page 28)
    • 4.1 How Much Fidelity is Needed? (Page 28)
    • 4.2 Simple Parts (Page 28)
    • 4.2.1 The Simple Spacer, Step by Step (Page 28)
    • 4.3 Color versus Appearance (Page 35)
  • Chapter 5: Working with Sheet Metal (Page 54)
    • 5.1 Example: 9 V 6LR61 Battery Holder (Page 54)
    • 5.2 Creating the Unfold (Page 69)
    • 5.3 Exporting the Unfold (Page 71)
    • 5.4 Creating a Drawing of the Battery Holder (Page 74)
    • 5.5 Create a Plan for the Bending Machine (Page 83)
    • 5.6 Example Photos of the Battery Holder (Page 86)
  • Chapter 6: Assemblies (Page 88)
    • 6.1 "Assembly” Workbenches or Std-Part Container? (Page 88)
  • Chapter 7: An Assembly Example: The Elektor ESR Meter as a Front Panel Project (Page 89)
    • 7.1 Project Organization (Page 89)
    • 7.2 Preparation – Starting the New Project Tree (Page 89)
    • 7.3 Modeling the Front panel (Page 90)
    • 7.4 Insertion of the Rotary Switch (Page 93)
    • 7.5 Generate an Associative Footprint with the SubShapeBinder (Page 96)
    • 7.6 The Knob and its Place in the Tree View (Page 101)
    • 7.7 Testing the Associativity (Page 102)
    • 7.8 The Binding Posts (Page 105)
    • 7.9 Placement of the Panel Meter (Page 119)
    • 7.10 Placing Components to the Rear Surface: The Anchor Plates (Page 123)
    • 7.11 Inserting the Battery Holder (Page 129)
    • 7.12 Inserting the Circuit Board (Page 134)
  • Chapter 8: Finalizing the Front Panel with Graphic Elements (Page 148)
    • 8.1 Drawing Guide Lines (Page 148)
    • 8.1.1 Sketch versus Path (Page 148)
    • 8.1.2 Guide Lines for the Rotary Switch (Page 148)
  • 8.2 A Guide Line for the Potentiometer (Page 159)
  • 8.3 The Engravings (Page 165)
  • 8.4 The 'TechDraw' Workbench and the DXF Export (Page 170)
  • Chapter 9: A More Complex Design: The Lab Transformer (Page 174)
    • 9.1 The Front Panel (Page 174)
    • 9.1.1 Setting up File and Std-Part-Container (Page 174)
    • 9.1.2 Creating the Panel Sheet (Page 175)
    • 9.1.3 Placement of the Components (Page 183)
    • 9.1.4 Punching the Holes (Page 193)
    • 9.1.5 Adding the Engraving (Page 199)
    • 9.2 The Rear Panel (Page 203)
    • 9.2.1 Prepare File and Std-Part-Containers (Page 203)
    • 9.2.2 Placing the Components (Page 204)
    • 9.2.3 Punching the Holes (Page 207)
    • 9.2.4 Adding the Engraving (Page 210)
    • 9.3 The Chassis (Page 211)
    • 9.3.1 Preparation of File and Std-Part-Container (Page 211)
    • 9.3.2 Bolts for the Chassis Sheet (Page 224)
    • 9.4 Assembling the Chassis, Front and Rear Panel (Page 231)
    • 9.5 Placing the Transformer (Page 239)
    • 9.6 Placing the Anchor Plates (Page 243)
    • 9.7 Associative Generation of the Sheet Metal Cover (Page 252)
    • 9.7.1 Where to Pick the References (Page 252)
    • 9.7.2 Creating the Cover (Page 253)
    • 9.8 Where do the Fasteners Belong? (Page 278)
    • 9.8.1 Fasteners for the Cover (Page 278)
    • 9.8.2 Fasteners for the Chassis (Page 282)
    • 9.8.3 Fasteners for Front and Rear Panel (Page 285)
    • 9.9 Creating the Unfold of the Cover (Page 294)
    • 9.10 Example Photos – Meeting the Reality (Page 294)
    • 9.11 What to do Next (Page 294)
    • 9.12 Component Libraries – Design Recycling (Page 295)
  • 9.13 Importing STEP Model Files (Page 295)
  • Chapter 10: FreeCAD and KiCad (Page 296)
    • 10.1 Importing Data from KiCad to FreeCAD (Page 296)
    • 10.2 Creating 3D Models for KiCad (Page 296)
  • Chapter 11: Community Resources (Page 302)
    • Sources (Page 303)
  • Appendix A: The Rotary Switch (Page 304)
  • Appendix B: The Potentiometer (Page 327)
  • Appendix C: The Banana Jack (Page 340)
  • Appendix D: The Pilot Lamp (Page 362)
  • Appendix E: The Toggle Switch (Page 400)
  • Appendix F: The IEC Power Inlet (Page 433)
  • Appendix G: The 9 V Block (6F22) Battery (Page 458)
  • Index (Page 474)

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