Plated through holes (PTH)

A plated through hole (PTH) is a hole or slot in a PCB with conductive plating through the board. PTHs can provide electrical connectivity through the PCB and include copper pads on the outer copper layers. Fusion supports creating PTHs directly in a 2D PCB and representing the corresponding plated hole or slot and copper pad geometry in the 3D PCB.

PTHs provide control over:

• Hole or slot geometry: Define the required hole or slot dimensions.
• Pad shape: Select from circular, rectangular, hexagonal, and slotted pad options.
• Pad dimensions: Specify dimensions manually or use Auto to calculate them from the hole diameter.
• Solder Mask: Use automatic solder mask settings, specify an offset, or turn the solder mask opening off.
• 2D and 3D synchronization: Synchronize changes to PTH dimensions and positions between the linked 2D and 3D PCB.

How PTHs work in 2D and 3D PCBs

• When you add a PTH to a 2D PCB, it is automatically added to the 3D PCB.
• Changing the location of a PTH in 2D moves its position in 3D and vice versa.
• You can edit the pad shape from 2D once placed.
• In 3D, you can modify the location and PTH size as needed.