OK a little bit of a stretch as a link for “electronics”, but I regularly use this to create enclosure for my electronics. I am excited for the 1.0 milestone and hope to point back to this as a step change in community adoption. There are still lots of issues with FreeCAD, but it’s my go to modeling tool for fully custom designs.
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It is my go to for designing enclosures and mechanical parts too.
It is a bit of a steep learning curve and the user interface can be unintuitive but i have persevered and got some useful parts out of it.
I’ve been using the RC2 release of V1.0. It’s pretty solid and has fixed a number of annoying problem, especially the “face ordering” one (not sure that’s the correct term). RC2 supported all the plugins that that were supported in 0.21. Worth learning over Fusion. It is truly free while Fusion is only sort-of-free and could change tomorrow - they regularly change the user agreement.
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FreeCAD is what we use for enclosures and hinges etc. The recent effort to get to 1.0.0 gives me a good feeling about the team behind it and I’m inclined to make an annual donation from our company, like we do for KiCad.
I think I remember @ShawnHymel is planning on releasing training content on using FreeCAD 1.x and I really hope he catches a wave of engagement with the software.
For electronics, I must recommend the KiCad “stepup” tools plugin (needs separate installation), which allows import/export of.kicad_pcb and .dxf files. The main applications are so that you have a 3D representation of your board and components, to model an enclosure around, and editing more complex board geometry for reimport into KiCad.
Don’t forget that FreeCAD has a built-in spreadsheet and technical (2D) drawing tool (techdraw workbench). The former allows you to create named variables (cell “aliases”) which can be referenced in sketch dimensions in lieu of digits, so you can make parametric enclosures etc. The latter is what I use to generate fabrication drawings for my fab. The “detail” feature is helpful to show zoomed-in areas of a board where the edge profile or slot dimensions are particularly important.
The final element I’ll mention for now is the Fasteners Workbench. Can’t remember if it needs separate installation. Although fasteners are helpful if you are making an assembly, my main use is to take the threaded tap tool (you can just as easily use the threaded rod but the clearance will be tighter) and do a Boolean subtraction from my enclosure. Using 3/8 16 UNC (or whatever the standard is) gives you a printable threaded recess for camera tripod mounts (and the metal 3/8 → 1/4" adapters). As well as tripods many cheap clamp systems use these threads, so you can take advantage of low cost mounting hardware for your enclosure.
I’m looking forward to finding out how much smoother 1.0.x is.
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I’ve never understood the need for stepup. I just export a step file from KiCad and import that into a 3D cad program and I’m good for all my enclosure design needs. What value does stepup add?
I haven’t tried your way, so I don’t know!
EDIT
Just tried export .step on KiCad 8 and import into FreeCAD 0.22. It loses any 3D models which are VRML format, such as buttons, header sockets and passives in this case:
Same board imported using stepup:
In this case, I would have to have measured coordinates for LED observation holes and reset button holes. I could have worked out pin header socket slot from the board, I suppose.
I think the vrml thing was why I started using stepup and I much prefer being able to make sure I leave Z space for the components which need it.
You can also import tracks and silkscreen (the latter has to be exported as dxf and I don’t know how good it is) if you want to render stuff with enclosures, rather than relying on the KiCad (board only) 3D renderer.
Yes, stepup is worth using.
Also, the sheet metal workbench is good. And if you like gridfinity, there is a decent workbench for that.
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I’m definitely interested in the gridfinity workbench. That system is addictive…keeps my 3D printer busy!
I used the Gridfinity Workbench to create an organized drawer for my wife’s cosmetics. It is a huge hit at home. She can’t stop telling people about it. The one issue I had was creating the grid to fit into the drawer (not a multiple of 42mm) - well larger than my 3DP. I wound up using my CNC router to cut a perfect fit grid out of 1/4" vinyl faced MDF. Will design spacers on the side and front to prevent things from falling into the small spaces.
The other issue that 3DP size limitation brings is making large trays. I just design one full size and then cut it into pieces that will fit. The grid keeps them together. Not perfect but functional.