Design resources launched for engineers

RS Components has launched DesignSpark, the centrepiece of its initiative to provide an authoritative online design environment for engineers.

It features the first RS-created free design tool, DesignSpark PCB, a PCB drawing and layout tool which comes with a range of functions and features.

It is an online gateway that gives engineers trusted and reliable information and resources, bringing together design information, user-generated reviews and new free-of-charge tools to speed up the design process.

With its PCB drawing tool, users will have access to a full suite of video tutorials, examples and a parts library.

Engineers can create schematics that target any sized PCB with any number of layers, and import designs created in other PCB design software.

The company has also launched two online design tools for engineers, said to be the industry’s most comprehensive, vendor-independent parametric database of electronic components and a certified 3D CAD model download platform.

DesignSpark provides the electronic engineering community with an environment to not only find design tips and reviews that help inform the start of new designs but also connect with partners, exchange ideas and contribute to a variety of information sources available from across the internet.

A major feature is a library of independent reviews for development kits and evaluation platforms, provided by engineers, for engineers. This allows users to post comments and star ratings for each kit. Initially, it will cover a range of up to 1100 microcontroller, microprocessor, analog and FPGA development kits, with new kits being regularly added.

It also gives users access to a dedicated design centre, containing technology tips and hints posted by DesignSpark members. The centre will keep engineers up to date with the latest design trends, as well as containing links to the range of RS website tools, making component selection and integration into design software packages fast and simple.

The partner portal has been specifically created to allow DesignSpark members to connect with companies and individuals who can help provide information, support or resources that will enable faster design development.

Featured partners already include a mix of component manufacturers, design consultants and contract electronics manufacturers, with new partners being added daily.

DesignSpark also offers free-of-charge access for members to a range of design tools, hosted in the Spark Store. Included in the store is the first of a range of new tools launched by RS, DesignSpark PCB; a fully featured PCB design tool.

This is available with a component library that can be extended and shared - through DesignSpark - with other engineers. Details of the components used from the library form the basis of the bill of materials. This can then be used to create an order or quotation request through the usual RS web portals.

The company launched three new platforms earlier this year - Component Chooser – said to be the world’s largest and most extensive parametric search engine of electronic components, the introduction of 20,000 downloadable 3D CAD models onto its website and a strengthened embedded development platform product line that enables rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept through a new partnership with ARM to target microprocessors based on the mbed virtual development environment.

DesignSpark and DesignSpark PCB are available to any engineer at www.designspark.com.

DesignSpark PCB is a free, fully featured PCB design tool.

It is available to all members of DesignSpark where one of the key features is free access for members to a range of design tools, hosted in the Spark Store. Developed in partnership with Number One Systems, DesignSpark PCB is said to be the first RS-created free design tool to be made available via the Spark Store.

PCB is available with a range of functions and features, and users will have access to a full suite of video tutorials, examples and a parts library. Engineers can create schematics that target any sized PCB with any number of layers and import designs created in other PCB design software. PCB also has a component library that can be extended and shared – through DesignSpark – with other engineers.

Details of the components used from the library form the basis of the bill of materials generated by DesignSpark PCB, which can then be used to create an order or quotation request through the usual RS web portals.

Claimed to be the world’s largest and most extensive parametric search engine of electronic components, the Component Chooser provides an instantly accessible and consistent search and compare tool for 260,000 semiconductors, passive and electromechanical components from the world’s suppliers.

It enables engineers to speed up accurate search and selection of electronic components across manufacturers with a number of characteristics, including side-by-side comparison across the database of products.

In implementing it, the company has doubled the number of searchable attributes across its range of components and completely normalised their presentation.

The new search engine can be accessed at http://australia.rs-online.com/cc.

The system classifies components according to 5 million attributes, each of which is searchable. Users will be able to search on all attributes and compare products side by side. The search results provide links to support documents such as datasheets, as well as 3D models where available. It has been launched in multiple languages in Europe and Asia Pacific.

The company partnered with TraceParts to offer the service. Registered users can request the model from the database, which is converted into the file format chosen by the user depending on their CAD package. The first 20,000 of its 45,000 electromechanical components are available now.

The remainder are under development and will continue to be added to the TraceParts database in up to 23 neutral and native formats available in the coming months.

The TraceParts database also serves a number of other important CAD vendor websites, giving users a number of different ways of accessing the models.

3D CAD Models is a library of certified 3D and 2D CAD models of electromechanical components, downloadable free. The service provides free and simple access to the online library of electromechanical CAD models.

A further advantage of the RS service is that an image will eventually exist for all product variants.

The 3D models is one of three platforms launched to provide engineers with an authoritative online environment to support their latest designs. In addition to the models, the company has released a vendor-independent parametric database of electronic components and an enhancement of its EDP embedded development environment.

The electronics industry can expect above GDP growth for the foreseeable future according to Ian Mason, group chief executive of RS Components, at the launch of the resources package. The industry is not merely reflecting global financial recovery but growing in its own right as more and more products include electronic componentry.

Mason says that two of the biggest interest areas are sustainability and energy efficiency with LED lighting and process automation just two of the high growth zones.

The electronics design market will continue to be buoyant as the shelf life for new products becomes shorter and shorter. Manufacturers are bringing out new models and upgrades very frequently as they try to snare new customers and every new model and upgrade includes new electronics.