PCB-First vs Enclosure-First Design

Briefly describe what it's like to design a complete product in Flux. Help me understand what the PCB-first and enclosure-first design workflows are like to work with.

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Designing a complete product in Flux means developing the electronics and mechanical packaging together—moving from requirements through schematic, PCB layout, enclosure design, and manufacturing preparation, with checks along the way.

PCB-first: Start with the circuit, then size and lay out the board. Design the enclosure around its mounting holes, connectors, and component heights. This works well when electrical performance drives the product or the case dimensions are flexible; the trade-off is less freedom over the final shape.
Enclosure-first: Start with the product’s shape, dimensions, controls, and connector locations. Fit the board and electronics into that space. This works well for handheld devices or products with strict fit requirements; the trade-off is tighter placement constraints and potentially more PCB iterations.

Neither is strictly one-way: I check fit, connector access, thermal needs, and manufacturability as the board and enclosure evolve. I haven’t changed your project in this session; this was an overview only. Execution stopped because your ACUs ran out.

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