# Structural Electronics in Altium Designer: 3D PCB Designs Explained

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2025-04-20
- Length: 43m
- Episode: 294
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained/

## Summary

Jack Henriques, product manager at Altium, demonstrates structural electronics functionality in Altium Designer, covering 3D PCB designs, printed electronics, and 3D-MIDs. He explains how the software handles routing on curved surfaces, manages dielectric isolation for multi-layer printed circuits, and integrates with mechanical CAD for complex geometries. The discussion highlights specific manufacturing technologies like laser direct structuring (LDS) and aerosol jet printing, alongside practical applications such as functional surfaces in automotive dashboards and high-volume assembly via pick-and-place compatible MID assemblies from partners like Harting.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=0) Introduction to Structural Electronics and Soldering Compatibility
- [1:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=108) Defining Structural Electronics, Functional Surfaces, and 3D-MIDs
- [5:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=337) Manufacturing Technologies: Aerosol Jet Printing and Laser Direct Structuring
- [9:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=580) DFM Considerations and Multi-Layer Printed Electronics
- [17:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=1020) Altium Designer Demo: 2D Printed Electronics and Dielectric Isolation
- [26:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=1579) 3D MID Workflow: Importing CAD, Routing on Curved Surfaces, and Antennas
- [35:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=2148) Harting MID Assembly and High-Volume Pick-and-Place Integration
- [40:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-20-structural-electronics-in-altium-designer-3d-pcb-designs-explained#t=2410) Recent Software Updates: Track Modification, Substrate Updates, and DRC

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Zach Peterson (other)
- Harting (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Altium Designer (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Layout Review with Zachariah Peterson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-03-11-layout-review-with-zachariah-peterson) (The Amp Hour)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL 2022 Season Episode #1 with Altium and MacroFab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-02-20-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-1-with-altium-and-macrofab) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Improving PCB Structural Design and Reliability through Numerical Simulation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-09-23-improving-pcb-structural-design-and-reliability-through-numerical-simulation) (EE Times Current)
- [Intelligent Routing with Sergiy Nesterenko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-04-03-intelligent-routing-with-sergiy-nesterenko) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Matt Berggren](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-12-16-an-interview-with-matt-berggren) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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