Even more creativity

RS Components has released version 13, the latest evolution of its award-winning printed circuit board (PCB) design software, DesignSpark PCB. Sponsored by Würth Elektronik, a leading manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components, this version represents a significant advancement in PCB design solutions. The update underscores DesignSpark's commitment to its global engineering community through continuous innovation and enhancement of its offerings.

Since the launch of DesignSpark PCB in July 2010, RS has been dedicated to providing engineers worldwide, across all industries, with easily accessible, professional design tools. Thanks to its intuitive user interface and powerful features, DesignSpark PCB has quickly established itself as a reliable solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The software helps streamline workflows, improve precision, and unlock the full creative potential of PCB development.

DesignSpark PCB simplifies PCB design. In addition to its classic features, including an extensive library of millions of PCB symbols and footprints, and support for unlimited board layers, version 13 offers many more features, including the following five:

• Improved Graphics: Optimized display and improved clarity to eliminate friction in the design experience, along with high-resolution output graphics.
• Set Symbol Origin in the Center of Pads: Simplifies alignment and improves component placement accuracy.
• Serpentine Routing: Ensures high signal integrity even with high trace density through optimized trace shaping.
• Archimedean Spiral Generator: Version 13 utilizes Archimedean equations. This enables compact antenna designs for wireless broadband communication.
• Interactive BOM Export: Simplifies the development of hand-soldered prototypes by visually mapping components in the bill of materials to their position on the PCB layout.

These enhancements underscore RS's commitment to continuous innovation and community support.

Pete Wood, Director of DesignSpark, comments: “DesignSpark PCB has always been committed to making powerful design tools accessible to engineers worldwide, and version 13 is a significant milestone on this journey. We are incredibly proud of the software's evolution—from the intuitive user interface to the now available advanced features—and are delighted to welcome Würth Elektronik as a sponsor. The company's reputation for manufacturing high-quality components and embodying innovation perfectly aligns with our mission to support developers at every stage of their process. Together, we are helping engineers turn great ideas into outstanding products.”

Simon Leuz, Head of Global Distribution at Würth Elektronik, adds: “We firmly believe that the right components are the foundation of outstanding designs. Supporting DesignSpark PCB version 13 is a logical consequence of our commitment to equipping engineers with the tools they need for confident innovation. We also want to ensure that powerful design software is accessible to everyone. Because when design tools and high-quality components come together, the possibilities are limitless.”

DesignSpark PCB is part of a comprehensive suite of engineering tools and resources. This includes software for mechanical design and circuit simulation, technical articles, community forums, and an extensive library of components and reference designs. DesignSpark provides a complete platform to accelerate innovation, reduce development time, and build the confidence needed to bring your ideas to life.

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