-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAll About That Route
Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
Creating the Ideal Data Package
Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
Designing Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Seeed's Open Parts Library (OPL) Adds SnapEDA Models for Faster Electronics Production
October 22, 2021 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Seeed, a leading global electronics manufacturer based in Shenzhen, is adding SnapEDA computer-aided design (CAD) models to the Seeed and Shenzhen Open Parts Libraries (OPLs), to help electronics designers move from idea to fabrication with ease.
The OPLs are a collection of commonly used components, designed to be used with the Seeed Fusion PCB Assembly (PCBA) service, that are widely available in the supply chain, cost effective, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) friendly. Today it contains a wide selection of over 150,000 commonly used parts, from integrated circuits (ICs) to passives, to cut costs and reduce the turnaround times for turnkey PCB assembly.
During the parts selection stage, the OPLs save engineers time and reduce delays, since the parts are carefully selected to ensure they are widely available in the local supply chain, eliminating the need to import parts and undergo lengthy and costly customs clearance processes. This is especially helpful given the current global component shortage affecting the electronics industry. In addition to preventing delays, engineers also save money since the components in these libraries are sourced from Seeed's affiliated partners network and/or are purchased in bulk.
During the design and manufacturing stage, the addition of the SnapEDA CAD models to the OPLs make them even more valuable. By downloading ready-to-use CAD models for the parts they select, engineers can save weeks of time, and reduce costly prototype iterations during the manufacturing process.
To get started with the new SnapEDA integration, engineers simply visit the Downloads section on the Seeed's OPLs. Once they click the Symbol, Footprint and 3D model link, a viewer will popup allowing engineers to preview the models, and download instantly.
"With the current constraints in the global electronic component supply chain, we're pleased to be able to support the Seeed and ShenZhen open parts libraries, which are helping engineers streamline part selection and manufacturing. With the addition of SnapEDA models, engineers will now be able to design-in these parts in mere seconds," said Natasha Baker, Founder and CEO of SnapEDA.
Before SnapEDA, engineers needed to spend hours of time creating digital models from scratch. With the sheer number of components a project can have, the process of creating and verifying each component can be tedious and error ridden. This is why SnapEDA created the first search engine focused on CAD models, as well as its own patented verification technology to optimize the quality of each model.
Over 15 PCB design formats are accessible with the new SnapEDA integration in the Seeed and ShenZhen OPLs, including Altium, KiCad, Fusion360, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, EAGLE, DesignSpark PCB, DipTrace, Proteus & more.
Engineers can also find SnapEDA's symbols, footprints and 3D models on the main SnapEDA website, as well as on distributors' websites including Digikey, Mouser, and RS Components' DesignSpark. SnapEDA can also be found in software tools like Autodesk Fusion 360, Proteus and DipTrace. Millions of engineers are benefiting from the syndication of these CAD models on over 30 affiliated partners' platforms.
Suggested Items
DownStream Acquisition Fits Siemens’ ‘Left-Shift’ Model
06/26/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I recently spoke to DownStream Technologies founder Joe Clark about the company’s acquisition by Siemens. We were later joined by A.J. Incorvaia, Siemens’ senior VP of electronic board systems. Joe discussed how he, Rick Almeida, and Ken Tepper launched the company in the months after 9/11 and how the acquisition came about. A.J. provides some background on the acquisition and explains why the companies’ tools are complementary.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
06/26/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonThere's a story about a young woman preparing a holiday ham. Before putting it in the pan, she cuts off the ends. When asked why, she shrugs and says, "That's how my mom always did it." She asks her mother, who gives the same answer. Eventually, the question reaches Grandma, who laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Connect the Dots: The Future of PCB Design and Manufacturing
07/02/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsFor some time, I have been discussing the increasing complexity of PCBs and how designers can address the constantly evolving design requirements associated with them. My book, "The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Designing for Reality," details best practices for creating manufacturable boards in a modern production environment.
Siemens Turbocharges Semiconductor and PCB Design Portfolio with Generative and Agentic AI
06/24/2025 | SiemensAt the 2025 Design Automation Conference, Siemens Digital Industries Software today unveiled its AI-enhanced toolset for the EDA design flow.
Cadence AI Autorouter May Transform the Landscape
06/19/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazinePatrick Davis, product management director with Cadence Design Systems, discusses advancements in autorouting technology, including AI. He emphasizes a holistic approach that enhances placement and power distribution before routing. He points out that younger engineers seem more likely to embrace autorouting, while the veteran designers are still wary of giving up too much control. Will AI help autorouters finally gain industry-wide acceptance?