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Rigid-Flex using OrCad "Standard" seems impossible... (17.4)

tschesnok

Does anyone know how to do a rigid-flex board in OrCad Standard?

The product table clearly has wording that indicates some sort of Rigid-Flex support exists. (overlays, etc) and the "Professional" version adds "automatic" to rigid flex. But I seem blocked at every turn.

Trying to create a 6 layer rigid with 4 of the layers extending out to flex. I understand I can't do zones / multi-stack up.. without pro.

1. I can create Gerber files with Rigid/Flex outline. I can add stiffeners, etc.. this is all good.

2. I can't place a component on a lower Layer than top and bottom.. even manually it seems.

3. I can't seem to get the "embedded" feature working to place components on a lower level.. even though I can set it up in the stackup..

4. I have no idea how to create a solder or silk overlay for all of it..

One answer may be that its simply not possible at all.. which would then sound like deceptive advertising for "Standard". Also there seem to be a lot of items that are active such as embedded stackups and layers called rigid-flex.

So how does one hack this? How did one do it before v17.2? I don't mind some manual work.. but want to avoid splicing gerber files..

Parents

  • So by default PCB Editor has classes/subclasses etc that are available in all license levels. For the flexi rigid the biggest issue you have is footprints on the correct layer. Dynamic placement in Professional takes care of this for you. You can do this manually. Design a padstack on the layer name you are using for the flexi layer, then place this in a PCB Footprint for the part you want. The layer names you MUST match with the layer names in the board. You may need to call the footprint names something specific or use these as ALT_SYMBOLS so that you can have say 0603, 0603_layer2, 0603_layer4 etc. That way you can decide what layer they get placed on. You will manually have to add keepout areas to stop objects on other layers. You will also have to define subclasses for silk, soldermask, pastemask for the layer specific footprints. Do this in the footprints then these are added to the board when you pace the parts. Lots of manual effort which is all taken care of by the Professional license so may be well worth the extra investment. Maybe take a look at this:- https://www.parallel-systems.co.uk/matrix/ which shows the differences between standard and pro which may also help. 

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  • So by default PCB Editor has classes/subclasses etc that are available in all license levels. For the flexi rigid the biggest issue you have is footprints on the correct layer. Dynamic placement in Professional takes care of this for you. You can do this manually. Design a padstack on the layer name you are using for the flexi layer, then place this in a PCB Footprint for the part you want. The layer names you MUST match with the layer names in the board. You may need to call the footprint names something specific or use these as ALT_SYMBOLS so that you can have say 0603, 0603_layer2, 0603_layer4 etc. That way you can decide what layer they get placed on. You will manually have to add keepout areas to stop objects on other layers. You will also have to define subclasses for silk, soldermask, pastemask for the layer specific footprints. Do this in the footprints then these are added to the board when you pace the parts. Lots of manual effort which is all taken care of by the Professional license so may be well worth the extra investment. Maybe take a look at this:- https://www.parallel-systems.co.uk/matrix/ which shows the differences between standard and pro which may also help. 

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