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50,000 Users Download Free PCB Tool via DesignSpark

^{Published on 2011-03-08 02:20:23 - Market Wire}
 

FORT WORTH, TX--(Marketwire - March 8, 2011) - RS Components, [ Allied Electronics' ] parent company based in the United Kingdom, recently launched [ DesignSpark.com ], an online community that provides resources, design support and a free PCB tool for engineers. Now on its second version, the DesignSpark PCB tool is a free PCB design software package. More than 50,000 users have downloaded DesignSpark PCB since launching eight months ago, with the tool proving to be one of the most popular free PCB design software packages available.

A key feature of the PCB tool is the 3D viewer, which enables engineers to see a three-dimensional representation of their board at any stage during design, allowing fast evaluation of mechanical design requirements within their existing eCAD package. Library features and output graphics allow users to create and save new libraries, move components directly to libraries from the design view, and provide flexibility in reports and print options.

"Free-to-use software tools are valued by engineers when they reduce not just cost, but time-to-market for new designs," says Martin Keenan, RS Technical Marketing Engineer for DesignSpark PCB. "With new 3D visualisation, enhanced features and functionality, DesignSpark PCB delivers faster development and migration for free, meeting the requirements of our user community."

DesignSpark PCB remains unique in the industry as a free, fully-featured PCB development environment. The software is free to download for new users at [ www.designspark.com/pcb ], with feedback and user support forums also available on [ www.designspark.com ].

About RS Components & Allied Electronics

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM). RS Components is the world's largest distributor of electronics and maintenance products, serving 1.5 million customers worldwide. Through operations in 27 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group distributes 500,000 products ranging from semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to maintenance and repair, shipping around 40,000 orders the same day they are received.
[ www.rs-components.com ].

Allied Electronics is a small order, high service level distributor of electronic components and more electromechanical products with over 50 sales offices across the United States and in Canada. With more than 2.2 million parts online and than 115,000 products featured in the Allied Catalog, engineers and purchasers often look to Allied for prototyping due to its broad range of product solutions from over 300 world-class suppliers. [ www.alliedelec.com ]