I am trying to end-mount a 5-pin M12 connector to a PCB. There is 5th pin is in the middle of the connector. This is a problem for end-mounting, because the 5th pin collides with the PCB.
My idea is to create a plated notch in the PCB where the 5th pin may dock. Then the notch may be filled with solder to electrically connect the 5th pin to a PCB trace.
Is there a good way to do this in Solidworks PCB (v2018.4)?
Here is what I've tried:
- Use a pad with a "Slot" hole type. Problem: Solidworks PCB puts plating all the way around the perimeter of the slot, even if it is positioned partly off of the PCB. It needs to be open on one end. Also, the rounded interior of the notch is not ideal since it creates a lot of empty space around the pin to fill with solder.
- Use fills / solid regions on the "drill drawing" layer to remove extra plating on slotted pad. Problem: Solidworks does not remove copper plating in drill drawing regions. I think the fills/solid regions would have to be on the via hole / pad hole layer
- Use "Board cutout" type "solid region." Problem: While this allows me to shape the notch just how I want, there is no way to make the interior of the notch plated. If I place it on top of a pad, the pad "tents" the notch with copper, and it doesn't plate the sides.
Let me know if you have any tips!
connector m12 mounting solidworks pcb plating
