SnapEDA, the first search engine for electronics design, and DesignSpark, an online design community and resource centre for design engineers, are collaborating on a new web tool to help engineers design faster. The collaboration will see the SnapEDA search engine added to the DesignSpark website, enabling engineers to discover and design-in millions of electronic components through free computer-aided design (CAD) models that are compatible with nearly all major PCB design tools.
DesignSpark is an online technical community for engineers and an operating brand of Electrocomponents plc, a global multi-channel provider of industrial and electronic products and solutions.
SnapEDA is a search engine for electronics designers which provides ready-to-use building blocks for circuit board design via the website and plug-ins for PCB design tools. According to the company, the search engine is now used by over 1 million engineers and PCB designers each year, creating everything from smartwatches to drones and robots.
With over a billion electronic components in production, part selection and design-in are significant bottlenecks when designing electronics. In addition to the sheer volume of parts to choose from, engineers need to procure sophisticated digital models for each component in their designs. This prerequisite for complex design content is a burden on engineers that hampers innovation.
The new search experience on the DesignSpark website makes it easy for engineers to search and design-in electronic components, allowing engineers to jump straight to design, SnapEDA said. Engineers can search for a keyword like ‘bluetooth’ or ‘usb type c’ to discover new components, or enter a specific part number. Once they’ve selected a product, they can download the CAD model instantly.
“Since launching DesignSpark 11 years ago, RS Components has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the engineering community through tools and resources,” said Natasha Baker, founder and CEO of SnapEDA.
“This commitment resonates with us here at SnapEDA, where we have similarly been unwaveringly committed to helping engineers design faster with free, innovative design tools and resources we’ve brought to the market. We’re thrilled to support the engineering community together,” Baker added.
Powered by SnapEDA’s patented verification technology, the new integration also includes datasheets and other specifications provided by RS Components, as well as the ability to check prices and purchase components. Supported PCB design formats include DesignSpark PCB, Altium, KiCad, Fusion360, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, EAGLE, Pulsonix, DipTrace, Proteus, ExpressPCB Plus, CircuitStudio, PADS, PCB123, Target 3001!, and P-CAD.
The new tool can be accessed at www.rs-online.com/designspark/snapeda-parts-finder.
