Tutorial on Partially Flipped Panelization

In the layout engineering phase of PCB design, panelization is frequently employed. Panelization, in essence, involves assembling individual boards into a larger one, leaving room for V-Cuts, process edges, fiducials, tooling holes, and other process clearances.

During PCB prototyping, it is often more efficient to assemble small boards into a larger one in Altium before fabrication and assembly.

Partially Flipped Panelization Method

Today, let's delve into the partially flipped panelization method, specifically for PCB prototyping. Essentially, it involves transforming the TOP layer of the drawn PCB into the BOTTOM layer and vice versa for panelization.

Here are the overall steps:

1. Create a new PCB file and copy the completed PCB design into the newly created PCB file.

2. Perform a special paste.

3. Copy the entire PCB board, select it, flip it, and then rotate it 180 degrees clockwise.

To execute these steps:

1. Select the entire file (Shortcut: S+A).

2. After copying the file, perform a "special paste." Ensure you select the two middle options, as shown in the following image. After selecting these options, refrain from reapplying copper fill.

3. After copying the file, it should be positioned appropriately. At this point, select the move command and drag it. During the drag, a dialog box will appear. Please choose "YES." After dragging, the file can be moved with your mouse. Press the "M" key on the keyboard. When the dialog box appears, select "Flip Selection." As shown in the right image below, the file will be flipped, and you may need to adjust its orientation. Select the file again and use the "Move Command" while pressing the spacebar to rotate it 180 degrees and place it in the desired position.

When handing the design to the PCB manufacturer for PCB prototyping, it's essential to add the process edges. Select the "keep-out" layer for drawing. Add "tooling holes" and "fiducial points" on the process edges. Finally, use any layer, such as the "Overlay" layer or the "keep-out" layer, to label the V-cuts. With this, the entire panelization process is complete, as shown in the image below.

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