Define regions before optimizing the fold
Give each region a meaningful name and assign the intended local construction. Altium’s standard rigid-flex workflow supports region-specific stacks and bend definitions. Link the resulting model to the regional stackup drawing. Check what each region includes, especially coverlay, bonding, reinforcement, and layers that stop at an interface.
Altium model-to-fabrication review
| Handoff item | Required meaning | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|
| Region assignment | Which construction belongs to each area? | Compare region names and section views |
| Bend definition | What geometry and direction are intended? | Check installed views and mechanical references |
| Output settings | Which layers and files are released? | Verify manifest and plotted results |
| Revision | Which model produced this package? | Keep project and drawing records linked |
Coordinate bend data with mechanical references
Use bend location, direction, angle, and radius information to communicate the proposed installed geometry. Review the result with the mechanical exchange workflow. Confirm the radius convention and assembly order with the receiving team. A collision-free folded view is one useful check; the real mechanism’s constraints and material behavior remain separate engineering questions.
Audit the release outputs
Use a controlled output configuration and compare the produced copper, drill, mechanical, and assembly data against the released drawing. Review fabrication layer meaning rather than relying on file extensions. Capture the tool version, project revision, output settings, and any fabrication notes needed to reproduce the package. Reinspect outputs after a region or stack change.
Before you release the design
- Review region boundaries at full drawing scale.
- Check that fold direction matches terminal orientation.
- Identify mechanical assumptions the model does not resolve.
- Inspect final outputs after regenerating them.
Watch points
- A 3D fold preview is not a fatigue calculation or process qualification.
Practical questions
Does assigning a flexible region qualify its bend?
No. It establishes modeling intent. Material, local construction, support, motion, and representative testing still determine whether the design meets its duty.
Can the fabrication drawing be replaced by the CAD project?
Agree deliverables with the manufacturer. Even with an accepted native or intelligent format, the design needs unambiguous requirements for tolerances, materials, local features, and acceptance.
Technical references
References support the material or design context. Check the exact grade, part number, document revision and project conditions before release.Updated 27 September 2026 · Technical content policy · Engineering guidance supports project review; the agreed drawing defines the build.