Target Condition: Are Autorouters Friend or Foe?
Fresh PCB Concepts: Assembly Challenges with Micro Components and Standard Solder Mask Practices
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
RS Components Launches Professional Upgrade to Free PCB Design Tool in N.A.
October 31, 2019 | GlobeNewswireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In conjunction with the official launch of its DesignSpark online engineering and design community in North America, RS Components (RS), a global multi-channel provider of industrial and electronic products and solutions, is debuting DesignSpark PCB Pro, a professional-level upgrade to its already popular free online PCB design tool, DesignSpark PCB.
DesignSpark PCB is an award-winning, free-to-use electronic computer-assisted design (ECAD) rapid prototyping tool offering workflow integration; unlimited schematic size, sheets, nodes, pads and connections; part library integration; unrestricted Gerber and ODB++ file output; multi-format bill of material generation; and compatibility with all other DesignSpark CAD systems.
In addition to the features available in the free tool, DesignSpark PCB Pro is specifically designed to bridge the gap between existing complex, high-cost, PCB design software and low-end, unsupported open-source tools for professional design engineers. The software provides an upgraded design suite, along with a wealth of productivity features to accelerate and enhance the design process, including blind and buried vias, extensive copper pour rules, hierarchical blocks, net class-level spacing rules, and manufacturability checks. An upgraded autorouter optimizes the efficiency of the board layout, while enhanced library support allows import of the latest symbols, footprints and 3D models. DesignSpark PCB Pro is now available for users in North America for just $449 for a perpetual license.
"With the addition of DesignSpark PCB Pro, RS Components is excited to add yet another cost-effective, easy-to-use professional tool to the resources available through our 850,000 member-strong DesignSpark online engineering community," said Cameron Ward, senior vice president of RS Components. "We remain committed to finding new ways to enable and partner with electronics designers, engineers and buyers across the entire product lifecycle."
Both DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark PCB Pro are part of the suite of tools and resources available through DesignSpark, RS Components' free online engineering community that joins together more than 100,000 active members in North America, and more than 850,000 globally to solve companies' toughest engineering design challenges. The fast-growing platform, which added almost 130,000 worldwide users in 2019, provides resources, connections, tools and online purchasing for engineers throughout the product lifecycle.
Find out how RS Components can help make your technology vision a reality by joining the DesignSpark community, and by connecting with them on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
Share on:
Suggested Items
The Evolution of Picosecond Laser Drilling
06/19/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIs it hard to imagine a single laser pulse reduced not only from nanoseconds to picoseconds in its pulse duration, but even to femtoseconds? Well, buckle up because it seems we are there. In this interview, Dr. Stefan Rung, technical director of laser machines at Schmoll Maschinen GmbH, traces the technology trajectory of the laser drill from the CO2 laser to cutting-edge picosecond and hybrid laser drilling systems, highlighting the benefits and limitations of each method, and demonstrating how laser innovations are shaping the future of PCB fabrication.
Day 2: More Cutting-edge Insights at the EIPC Summer Conference
06/18/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007The European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC) summer conference took place this year in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-4. This is the third of three articles on the conference. The other two cover Day 1’s sessions and the opening keynote speech. Below is a recap of the second day’s sessions.
Day 1: Cutting Edge Insights at the EIPC Summer Conference
06/17/2025 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007The European Institute for the PCB Community (EIPC) Summer Conference took place this year in Edinburgh, Scotland, June 3-4. This is the second of three articles on the conference. The other two cover the keynote speeches and Day 2 of the technical conference. Below is a recap of the first day’s sessions.
Preventing Surface Prep Defects and Ensuring Reliability
06/10/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIn printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, surface preparation is a critical process that ensures strong adhesion, reliable plating, and long-term product performance. Without proper surface treatment, manufacturers may encounter defects such as delamination, poor solder mask adhesion, and plating failures. This article examines key surface preparation techniques, common defects resulting from improper processes, and real-world case studies that illustrate best practices.
RF PCB Design Tips and Tricks
05/08/2025 | Cherie Litson, EPTAC MIT CID/CID+There are many great books, videos, and information online about designing PCBs for RF circuits. A few of my favorite RF sources are Hans Rosenberg, Stephen Chavez, and Rick Hartley, but there are many more. These PCB design engineers have a very good perspective on what it takes to take an RF design from schematic concept to PCB layout.