Designing a complete product in Flux means developing the electronics and mechanical packaging together, checking that power, connectors, mounting, and assembly all fit—not just finishing a PCB.
- PCB-first: Start with the circuit, then size and lay out the board, and design the enclosure around it. This suits electronics-led products where circuit performance matters most and the external shape is flexible. It feels direct electrically, but the enclosure may need to grow around connectors or tall components.
- Enclosure-first: Start with the product’s shape, mounting, controls, and connector access, then fit the PCB inside those constraints. This suits handheld devices or products that must fit a specific space. It gives you control over the user experience early, but can require more board-placement and routing compromises.
Both workflows are iterative: a mechanical fit check can change the PCB, and electrical or thermal requirements can change the enclosure. I haven’t changed your project this turn; this was an overview only. Execution stopped because your ACUs ran out.