Category: Product Design

Is your company looking to create a new product? Does that product need a cool looking rendering to help get people onboard with the idea? Do you need someone to help manufacture, assemble and test the prototype? If so, we can help with all of that. Here is how we can help:

Autodesk Fusion 360

We are accustomed to designing products in Fusion 360, which is a software that has caught up with the capabilities of Solidworks, after many years of being in a free-trial beta version. Fusion 360 has become the industry standard for companies that want to design and manufacture using the same software. Fusion does just that – it fuses the two capabilities together in a single software suite. Fusion also incorporates electronic circuit board capabilities and sheet metal design, in addition to solid material designs. Fusion 360 also does machining simulation.

Mach 3 and CNC Prototyping

Electronic Launchpad has a small CNC machine and we use Mach 3 software to run the .tap files generated on Fusion 360. This software runs a variety of different CNC machines and is useful for testing CNC files before sending them off to a fabricator. Mach 3 provides a simulation screen that allows one to validate the file before running the job. This validation ensures that the parts are within the limits of the machine.

Manufacturing

Electronic Launchpad has workflows with other laser and CNC companies in Ontario, Canada that can provide cost-effective manufacturing. We also have a workflow to send out drawings for quotation from fabrication shops to get an even more competitive supply chain for mass production.

Electronic Launchpad is experienced in electronic circuit design. Here are the specializations that we use to deliver quality designs:

VHDL Simulation and FPGA Selection

VHDL Simulation allows digital circuits to be created and tested prior to writing the design to an FPGA device. FPGA’s can then be selected and designed into the printed circuit board design, as described below.

SPICE Simulation

Analog circuits are often simulated using PC software such as LTSpice or similar. These simulations prove that the circuit will perform its expected function. LTSpice is not always necessary, and not always possible, but in many cases a SPICE simulation will help to save designers time and money.

Electronic Component Selection

Electronic Launchpad orders parts from Digi-Key and other distributors. Selecting electronic components requires a solid understanding of the following attributes: availability, cost, size, package, environmental requirements, etc. and we are accustomed to performing this part selection for you so that your products can be made with legitimate parts that are available for

JIGMOD Circuit Prototyping System

Electronic Launchpad uses the JIGMOD Circuit Prototyping system to test new circuits using a 19″ wide rack. These 19″ wide racks can be reliably transported and setup at various R&D labs, trade shows or customer locations. JIGMOD makes it easier to build, test and demonstrate electronic circuits before they are finalized.

(picture of jigmod)

EAGLE Electronic Layout and Board Design

EAGLE allows electronic components to be built using dimensions provided on component specification sheets. Next, schematics are created using those components, also using EAGLE. Finally, circuit board layouts are generated using EAGLE and then the designs are sent off to a domestic or Chinese supplier.

Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing

When designs are ready, Electronic Launchpad also manufactures circuit boards! We have an established workflow with a cost-effective circuit board manufacturer based in China. This supplier is not only cost effective, but uses modern and fool-proof methods of interpreting the circuit board design files to ensure repeatable quality. This supplier offers a variety of circuit board colors also.

High quality system design is important to ensure a cost effectiveness, proper operation and safety. Here are some of the keys to a high quality system design:

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications allow all requirements, preferences and non-requirements to be determined with support from key stakeholders. Technical specifications can be written with support of experts or consultants in the industry. At times, when equipment will be provided by a sole provider, it can be advisable for that supplier to assist with preparation of the technical specification. Technical Specifications may not always be required, but are recommended when purchasing complex systems or software with custom or adjustable features.

Cable Block Diagrams

Cable Block Diagrams are the most important drawings in an electronic system. Physical components are shown on the cable block diagram with connections shown between them. Connections include the type of wiring used. Wireless connections can also be represented on cable block diagrams.

Connection Wiring Diagram

Connection wiring diagrams show detailed connection nomenclature to help the installers and maintainers see how the cables and wires are connected to the system. Equipment ports are labelled to match the nomenclature on the drawings.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

The BOM is often the most necessary document for the project once the design is approved, because the BOM allows the parts to be purchased. BOMs specify the requirement, quantity, description and unique internal item# (for nuclear designs) for each individual part. Unit of measure is also provided. For cables, quantities would be in a measure of meters or feet. For liquids (e.g. epoxy or paint), the unit of measure would be in volume (e.g. mL or L).

Physical Layout (Plan) Drawings

Physical Layouts, historically referred to as “plan” drawings show where the equipment is to be installed in the plant setting. Grid markers are often provided to align with those grid markings of the plans of the buildings or properties. For outdoor designs, GPS coordinates can also be provided to indicate the location, or multiple locations.

Parts Purchasability Review

Purchasability reviews are becoming increasingly important in a post-COVID world, where supply chain breakdowns can cause certain parts to be unavailable for months.

Also, part selection is where many amateur designers unknowingly demonstrate that they are indeed amateurs. Often enough, customers find out that the parts specified in a new design have been obsolete for years, and the designer copied a design done in prior years. We perform a parts purchasability review on all parts as part of the BOM process to ensure that our BOMs only contain parts that are currently purchasable. In fact, part purchasability is the 2nd most important attribute of a part (the first being that it meets the requirements).