Back in July I blogged about our mission to send a Superman Action Figure to the edge of Space and back for Mattel toys. - Hack Superman Blog  The project was to recreate the record breaking freefall from 39km high by Felix Baumgartner in the Red Bull Stratus capsule.  This record has subsequently been broken in late September 2014 by Alan Eustace, who travelled and jumped to from just over 41 km.

After a couple of planning sessions, the team went away to work on their tasks.  Then in early September, we all got together for a long weekend at RLab to bring it all together and prepare for launch. 

Here's the video of the launch!

It's in Italian but the English version will be available very soon!

Now for the behind the scences account...

Below is the finished capsule and the key components.



The launch vehicle to send Superman and his capsule up to the Stratosphere was a Weather Balloon filled with Hydrogen gas. We chose to launch in Ross on Wye near Wales in the UK, as this was an ideal location that was well away from large cities and frequent air traffic.  The British weather is some what unpredicatable!, so a summer launch window gave us more opportunities for a successful mission.   The actual launch site was in a field ajacent to Dave Akerman, one of our team members, back garden.  Dave is a High Altitude Balloonist and Radio Ham, and has scores of launches under his belt, so we were in good hands.



After applying for permission to launch from Air Traffic Control, we monitored the weather conditions via weather predictor software the few days leading up to our launch window.   The weather patterns were predicting low winds and warm and dry conditions, so this was perfect, and also meant that Superman shouldn't drift too far from the landing site. 

The software allowed us to monitor where the capsule and Superman were likely to land.  The "habhub" website has some amazing tools that can predict where your payloads are likely to land based on the weather conditions, the weight of the payload and the size of balloon and parachute used.  The predictors allowed us to adjust the payload weight, balloon and parachute size and then calculate the approximate height that the balloon will burst and the rate of descent.  If the Superman or his capsule were looking like they were going to land in a city, near a motorway or in dense forest, we could change the balloon size or the amount of gas used, add or reduce the payload weight or have a bigger or smaller parachute.  



When we were ready for lift off, we walked the capsule out to the open field.  The capsule was connected to the balloon via a 10 metre nylon cord. Halfway between this was the parachute.  The balloon was putting up quite a struggle! When inflated it as big as a small car and strong enough to lift a child off the ground.  We let it go and watched it climb.



Both Superman and Felix travelled up to the Stratosphere. It took about 1 hour 40 mins for Superman to travel to his jump altitude of 29 km.  Although this is not technically in Space, which starts around 100 km high, Weather Balloons burst in the amoshphere before they can get anywhere near the height you need to get into orbit. However, as you can see, the views from the stratosphere are stunning!



We decided to eject Superman at a height of 29 km. This was lower than Felix's jump altitude of 39 km. The Weather Balloon we used to carry the capsule was predicted to burst at over 30 km high, so we wanted to ensure Superman had left the capsule before the balloon carrying the capsule burst.  The capsule continued to climb upto 34 km, where it burst. (see ballon fragments circled below)

The ejection mechanism was relitively low tech.  We did experiment with a 3D printed mechanism, but we didn't have time to properly test it, so we substituted it with a piece of sponge. 

In total we had 5 trackers.  The main trackers were on Superman and in the capsule.  We had 3 back up trackers in the capsule, 2 of which were powered by Raspberry Pi 's and were also taking pictures and sending them back to the ground.  We used additional trackers to ensure we could find the capsule, although the trackers we designed worked perfectly!  The radio modules we used were on the 433 mhz band.  We used radio receivers tuned to the frequencies of the trackers on Superman and his capsule.  We named the trackers after Superman related things, the tracker inside Superman was named "Kal-EL", the name in given to him by his parents on his home planet of Krypton.



The trackers regularly sent back their GPS position, and we were then able to position them on a map.  When Superman jumped out, we got into our cars and continued to follow his signal.  We then drove in the direction he was falling. 



It took around 50 mins for Superman to fall to the ground. When we were close to the landing site, we had to continue on foot.  In the picure above you can see us with hand held radio receivers and YAGI Antenna to pick up the signal transmitting from the trackers.  We put the recived GPS co-ordinates onto a map on a tablet computer and went off in the direction to where they had landed.  



It took Superman about 2.5 hours to travel up and back to the ground. Superman and his capsule landed less than 20 km away from the Launch Site. The wind speed was about 10 km per hour max, so they didn’t drift too far. If we had launched in the winter, Superman could have caught the Jet Stream and drifted and landed somewhere in Northern Europe. 

We found the capsule first.  It had landed at the end of Hope Lane. Coincidently, “Hope” is the meaning of Superman's “S” symbol to the Kryptonians (Superman’s home planet)... cue the Twilight Zone music...



Superman however landed in a very tall tree in the middle of a field full of Sheep!  Ironically, it was the tallest tree within quite a few square acres!... What are this odds of that happening!...Anyway, we broke out the climbing gear and in the true Superman spirit of rescuing a cat from a tree, we reclaimed him.



Our Mission to send Superman to the edge of space and back was a fantastic experience.  It showed what amazing things you can acheive with a little know how, a great team and a vivid imagination. 

How to build your own

So that anyone can recreate our mission, we have shared the project notes, including the open source PCB design files for the tracking units and the 3D printed components that we created in our DesignSpark tools.  You can find these in our DesignSpark DesignShare Section under, Hack Superman - High Altitude Tracker

Finally, I'd like to thank...

Dave Akerman- High Altitude Balloonist and Radio Ham for enabling us to do this.

Jude Pullen - Modelling Guru who helped us create an awesome capsule

R-Lab - with special thanks to Richard Ibbotson, Alex Gibson, David Price who designed the PCB's and 3D printed components.

Newbury Electonics - with thanks to Philip King for kindly donating the PCB's that we used inside Superman.

Mattel and Early Morning - for bringing us this challenge.

Startup weekends are a global phenomenon which help people with tech business ideas to get involved with their local startup communities. Taking place in Leicester, UK this event is the second Launch48 event to be hosted in the city.

The goal is simple: pitch, build and launch a startup in 48 hours.

Throughout the course of the weekend you can will learn new tools through workshops, get advice from mentors and have loads of fun manically turning your idea into a startup.

When is it?

The event runs from Friday 21^st– Sunday 23^rd November 2014.

What to expect

Launch48 is billed as a ‘bootcamp’ but starts off with everyone meeting up and sharing their ideas. The initial pitching session is open to anyone who wants to share their idea and by the end of the pitching, the crowd will vote through five or six ideas that are deemed well enough for to be taken into the weekend.

The next morning starts with an introduction to lean startup methodology which helps to try and build a business in a situation of extreme uncertainty. Lean helps you find ways to quickly validate an idea without wasting months and thousands of pounds on building a finished product.

During the weekend the teams will work on their startups with the help of expert mentors who have experience of running their own startups. These mentors often have really useful insights and contacts that can be called upon to quickly advise the teams.

At the end of the event each team will present their startup to the rest of the participants and prizes are awarded along with the learning experience and fantastic contacts of which some have gone on to secure jobs and become co-founders of projects.

Full details and tickets are available here

Maker Faire 2014でのRSブースの出展品をご紹介します。

■基板CAD 「DesignSpark PCB」

40インチモニタでデモしていたのが回路・基板設計用CAD「DesignSpark PCB」です。機能・用途の制限なく完全無料でご利用いただける、教育・研究用途はもちろん、企業における製品開発や新人のトレーニングなどの商業利用においても、無料でご利用いただけます。部品ライブラリも初めから8万点が用意されており、3D CADや各シミュレーションソフトとの連携も可能です。以下のボタンでダウンロードページへとジャンプできます。
DesignSpark PCBのホームページ配布チラシ

■3DCAD 「DesignSpark Mechanical」

同じく40インチモニタでデモしていたのが3D CAD「DesignSpark Mechanical」です。直観的な操作性により従来のCADのようなトレーニングが不要です。初心者でも簡単に3D編集が可能です。3Dプリンタ用データ（STL）や3D CGデータ（OBJ）、PDFなど様々な用途の形式で出力できます。もちろんこちらもDesignSpark PCB同様、完全無料でご利用いただけます。以下のボタンでダウンロードページへとジャンプできます。
DesignSpark Mechanicalのホームページ配布チラシ
■3Dプリンタ（MF-500）
DesignSpark Mechanicalの前で動作させていた3Dプリンタは、ムトーエンジニアリング殿から間もなく発売される「MF-500」です。

■名刺サイズのスパコン「Parallella」

32インチモニタでデモしていたのが、ワンボードスパコン「Parallella」です。Parallellaは米国Adapteva社が提供する高速並列処理用コンピュータボード。制御用チップ（デュアルコアARMプロセッサ＋FPGA）と演算用チップ（16コア、または64コア）を搭載したポケットサイズの小型ボードです。オープンソースプロジェクトとして資料やアーキテクチャが公開されており、多数のエンジニアが参加しています。
Parallellaの商品ページ
サイト内詳細ページ
配布チラシ

■名刺サイズの計測器「Red Pitaya」

Red Pitayaは、アプリで無限に拡張することのできる安価な名刺サイズの計測・制御用モジュールです。オープンソース開発されたアプリを入れ替えることによって電子機器の設計・評価で用いる各種の計測機能を１台で実現することが可能です。スマートフォンやタブレット端末などのブラウザに波形を表示させることができます。
Red Pitayaの商品ページ
サイト内詳細ページ
配布チラシ

■名刺サイズのPC 「Raspberry Pi」

Raspberry Piは、IT 開発者やプログラマのために開発したLinux ベースで動作する超低価格で名刺サイズのパソコンです。LAN、HDMI やUSB2.0 などの基本的なインターフェースも一通り装備しており、ディスプレイやキーボードなど接続が可能で、学習・実習・実験・ホビーなど、さまざまな場面でご利用いただけます。最近では新たに電源、インターフェース周りを改善したModel B+が登場しました。
Raspberry Piの商品ページ
サイト内詳細ページ

New in DesignSpark PCB V7.0.0

ODB++ export is an alternative to Gerber files. The ODB++ format grows more and more popular and is becoming frequently requested by PCB manufacturers as preferred to Gerber. With this feedback coming from the user community for some time now, we’ve added this new export capability to the software. You can see full list of input / output formats here.

ODB++ is an intelligent CAD/CAM data exchange format which helps overcome the inherent ambiguity of the Gerber and Excellon formats. This is used by the manufacturers as an alternative format. ODB++ has already become widely acknowledged as the new de-facto industry standard for PCB CAD data in the manufacturing environment. In fact, some PCB manufacturers are offering more attractive PCB fabrication prices if the PCB design data is delivered in ODB ++ format.

The ODB++ export option is located on the Output menu. It offers Compressed and non-compressed (Folder) versions. Make your choice using the Compressed check box.

If Compressed is selected, it uses the TAR format and produces a single compressed file with the file extension .tgz. It is this file that you send to your manufacturer for processing.

Non-compressed uses a Folder structure based on the Browse path setting. When used you must send the whole folder structure to the people plotting the design. For some of the viewers you must use the folder structure to view the files but some will only work with the compressed version output, you must check which type is required before using this option. Check with the company plotting or manufacturing the design.

If you want to disable any layers uncheck the appropriate layers.

All output is positioned relative to the PCB design coordinate origin.

Layer Types

In the ODB++ format the Silkscreen,Solder Mask and Solder Paste layers need to be identified. Use the appropriate drop down list to select the layer type which will identify these layers. You can select (None) if you are not interested in the layer type.

The outer most board outline will be output to the profile layer. Most PCB designs have a single board outline and do not contain any pad slots, but if multiple outlines or slots are defined the following two layers may be output:

• All board outlines that are marked as "unplated", board cutouts and any unplated pad slots will be output to a special layer named "boarddata".
• All board outlines that are marked as "plated" and any plated pad slots will be output to a special layer named "platedslots".

See DesignSpark PCB change log page

DesignSpark PCB changes, features & enhancements are a direct result of your feedback, suggestions and requests. Please contribute to the discussions to help us make DSPCB even better!

>>> Below you can also download previous versions of DesignSpark PCB software (for compatibility reasons), as requested by the community  <<<

IMPORTANT: Installation/upgrade instructions

24/11/2014 – Version 7.0.0

New features:

1. Sketch Routes– for faster schematic entry and faster PCB layout

2. ODB++ export– a new alternative export file format

3. Enhanced handling of RS and Allied Part Numbers – one of the keys to quickly finalise a completed design is to have a complete Bill of Materials with all parts known and ready to order. No engineer likes spending hours cross referencing and identifying parts at the end of a design. No engineer likes surprises of long lead times or no stock when about to getting the bits ordered – especially when wanting to quickly test that prototype of a new idea or new solution. As requested by the community we’ve made it easier to add RS and Allied part numbers when creating new parts. Each part in your design is now linked to its RS product page where you can check pricing, stock & availability and view a datasheet at any time.

Other enhancements:

1. Branding – DSPCB is now aligned with the new DesignSpark website look & feel, new logos, alignment with the colours of the RS Components and Allied Electronics websites. We hope you like the new looks as much as we do!

2. DesignSpark Mechanical Export – enhanced the interface to our 3D design software by enabling it to find any newly created IDF files without having to browse your hard drive (available in DSM version 2)

3. BOM Quote – parts with no pins assigned no longer show up in the BOM Quote website as they are unlikely to be purchasable components

4. Tutorials – links to tutorial websites are now geo-targeted so that users in non-English speaking markets see their localised versions without the need to switch from English to the local languages (subject to local versions availability)

5. User Registration – user registration is now built-in to the software and you no longer need to go to the DesignSpark website to edit your customer information or for new users to register a new account. No more software activation emails and no more manual entry of activation codes. This is a major simplification that allows you to get started with the software much quicker

6. Library Manager – information about the built-in libraries is now added making it simpler to find the 30,000+ parts that come within the installer and giving clarity as to how these libraries differ from the on-line ModelSource libraries

7. ModelSource – Login in now automatic driven by the new built-in registration details you provide on the first start, saving you from having to re-enter the credentials

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 6.1 <<<

01/09/2014 - Version 6.1 resolves the following issues:

1. 3D View

• Prism shapes in user-defined packages were not being inverted for a component that had been placed on the back of the board.

• When package type is set to DILSwitch, if it happened to match with a PCB symbol containing only a single pin, the application would quit while attempting to generate the 3D impression.

• When creating a new 3D package, sometimes the details would not be saved the first time round, requiring the details to be entered a second time before the new package would be saved to the library.
• Each successive redraw would increase memory usage.

2. Change Style

• Changing the track style of a zero-length track between a via and a pad at the same location could cause the application to quit as the track is tidied out after making the style change.

3. Design Rule Check

• Component-to-Component checking was being done using the ‘edges’ of the component bounds, rather than treating the bounds as a ‘solid’ box, thus leading to fewer errors being reported than should have been the case.

4. DXF Import

• Certain commands were not being interpreted correctly in DXF files in recent formats, potentially leading to nothing appearing in the design after import.

5. DXF Output

• Long layer names could cause the DXF file to be unreadable in other software such as AutoCAD and TrueView, despite the published length limit of layer names being 255 characters.

• Text items could be misplaced from their proper locations.

6. Gerber Import

• The holes defined by drill files were not always being matched to the corresponding pads during Intelligent Gerber Import, resulting in pads without holes.

• If the folder where the import process tried to write its report file was not writeable, the application would quit.

7. Goto

• The Goto bar would sometimes retain information (such as Component names) from a design that had been closed or reloaded, which would cause the application to quit if you clicked on any of those items.

8. Library Manager

• The presence of a comma in the name of a 3D package could cause the application to quit as it encountered that name when reading the 3D library.

9. Forward Design Changes

• In designs containing some types of PCB-only component, running Forward Design Changes or Integrity Check could cause the application to quit as it attempted to generate the report.

10. Startup

• On a tiny number of machines, usually running Windows 7, the application would ‘block’ on startup after a Windows API function call failed to return. The application process would be visible in Task Manager but nothing would be displayed on the screen.

11. Update Component

• In some circumstances when more than one package of the same component is used in the same design, updating one of those components would result in an internal fault in the design data, potentially leading to the design file becoming unreadable.

12. Back Annotation

• Processing back annotation data was causing the application to lock up for one particular design.

13. Duplicate

• A net with a name of “N” was erroneously recognised as a default (unnamed) net, causing the joining of nets during duplicate to leave the net as unmerged with the original.
• Duplicate didn't copy pad style exceptions from the original component instances.

14. Edit Track

• Using backspace to delete previous segments was not changing the current active layer when backspacing through a Via.

15. SCM/PCB Check

• A malformed warning message was being output to the report when ignoring PCB-only component pads.

16. Plotting

• The preview on the Plotting dialog did not include Vias.

17. Projects

• If the procedure to add a PCB design to a Project was cancelled partway through (for example at a prompt to save an older format design file), the file could be only partially linked to the project and would then cause the application to quit.

18. Rename

• Attempting to rename nets across a Project was locking up if it encountered a name change that differed only in the case (e.g. renaming mux25 to MUX25).

19. Reports

• The Layers report contained error messages in place of the expected information about Layer Types.

20. Frame Select

• Multiple uses of Frame Select would lose the previous selection, and became stuck in Deselect mode.

21. Next Error

• While moving a component dragged from the Component Bin, pressing the hotkey for Next Error can cause the application to quit on releasing the moving component.

22. Paste

• It was not possible to Copy/Paste between Schematic Symbol and Schematic Design.

23. PDF Output

• Missing fonts were causing PDF output to fail.

24. Pour Copper

• Thermal spokes were being added even when inside a copper keepout area.

25. Styles

• Unhelpful error message given if corner radius is too large for pad width in Pad Properties.

26. Translate to PCB

• There were some issues with Schematic-only and PCB-only components following an earlier fix.

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 6.0 <<<

21/01/2014 - Version 6.0

Overview video for the new features in Version 6:

1. Simplified DesignSpark Mechanical IDF export - for easier exporting to DS Mechanical 3D design tool

2. Cross-Probe - for faster hardware debugging and navigation around designs

3. Custom Shortcuts - add user-defined keyboard shortcuts for personalisation of UI

4. Start Page - lists useful highlights, reference designs, getting started links and the handy list of recent projects/files

IMPORTANT: Installation/upgrade instructions

 >>> Download DesignSparkPCB Version 5.1 <<<

06/11/2013 - Version 5.1

1. ModelSource Component Reference error - this fixes incorrect RefDes or Component ID issue

2. ModelSource Fails to read XML with “>” character in a value - this fixes display of some of the library families previously resulting in a 'communication error'

3. Component Edit: Name Pins by Row/Col can sometimes fail to apply new names

4. Librariy Manager: a malformed unnamed library item could cause the application to quit

5. PDF Outputs: mirrored text on PDF plots was slightly undersized

6. Layout: Add shape using "=" to type in start & corners does not work if orthogonal segment mode

7. Opening files: Reloading a design can sometimes cause the application to quit if Interaction Bar has been closed

>>> Version 5.0 no longer available for download <<<

16/04/2013 - Version 5.0

• dedicated (version-dependent) folders
• preserving Library folders when uninstalling
• preserving registry settings when uninstalling (for automatic activation of new version)
• improved messaging

4. Reorganised Tutorial links and Start Menu shortcuts

>>> Version 4.1 no longer available for download <<<

04/03/2013 - Version 4.1 Bug fixes:

>>> Version 4.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 4.0 New features:

1. ModelSource interface - access to an on-line database of over 80,000 components and associated product data. The components can be searched via Part Number Quick Search or category browsing and attribute selection (Parametric Search)

2. BOM Quote - integration with RS Components eCommerce website for instant Bill of Materials quoting and component purchase

3. PCB Quote - inferface to PCB manufacturers' on-line quoting websites with instant design parameters transfer

4. PCB Symbol – Placement Origin – this is a new type of origin that can be used to define where the pick-and-place origin of the footprint is positioned. This is then available in the Reports output, as the Place X and Y fields to use in place of the existing Centre X/Y or Position X/Y. If you specify PlaceX/Y in the report and a footprint doesn’t have a placement origin, it will use the CentreX/Y instead.

5. Reports – schematic-only components – you can now exclude these from reports by changing ‘Components to Include’ from ‘All’ to ‘Only items matching Schematic-only is false’.

6. Update Components – there are now separate checkboxes for component values (the actual values and their text strings) and value positions (the visible instances of values). This means you can tell it to update existing or add new values when updating the component without disturbing where the value positions are displayed on the drawing.

7. Reports - Bill Of Materials report now adjusted to show RS Part Numbers and other additional details

8. Updated Eagle import ULPs

Version 4.0 Bug fixes:

1. Changes to handling of Components with no pins

2. Apply to row/column on right-click menu in dialog grids

3. DRC now detects SMT pad with drill hole going through other layers

4. Pressing Enter when editing cell in a grid now goes to next line (like Excel)

5. Improved drawing for coloured cells (e.g. on Colours dialog)

6. Better retention of pin name/number positioning when updating components

7. Adds missing menu option "Disconnect From Net" for copper that has been assigned to a net

8. Some PCB nets had odd colour and/or hidden connections after translating from Schematic

9. NC Drill files now include G81 ("drill mode") command at start, required by some viewers/readers (e.g. GC-Prevue)

10. Dotted or dashed line styles no longer output to DXF as solid lines

11. Uses height from component even if over-ridden on the instance

>>> Version 3.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 3.0 New Features:

1. Spice Simulation Interface - DesignSpark PCB software can now be interfaced to free industry standard Spice simulators to carry out circuit simulation. DesignSpark PCB Circuit Design Software currently supports four simulators: LTSpice, LSSpice, B2Spice and TINA.

2. Design Calculators - You can select tracks or vias (vertical electrical connection between different layers of conductors in a PCB) in your design and perform basic electrical calculations such as:

• Width of a track required for a given current.
• Impedance of a selected track.
• Optimum copper density to use.        
• Approximate temperature rise on a track.
• Resistance of a via given its physical characteristics.

These useful calculators produce approximations of actual circuit performance to aid the decision process in completing a successful PCB layout. Also available is a standard scientific calculator.

3. Grouping - This feature allows multiple items in your circuit diagram to be associated together so that they act as one ‘unit’. Once defined, groups can be used to assist in selecting related portions of your circuit. Perform group functions from the Schematic to the PCB to enable simpler identification and handling of specific elements of your design.

Version 3.0 Bug Fixes:

1. Component Editor - Change Terminal Name no longer automatically replicates the name change across similar gates. Instead the name change only applies to the selected terminal, and a new command is provided to explicitly copy the selected name to the other gates.

The Packages dialog now allows the deletion of the last Package of  a Component to make it into a Schematic-only Component.

2. Technology - The ‘table’ (grid) used on this dialog and others has been upgraded. This allows some additional functionality, as well as removing the installation problems on someVistaand Windows 7 systems. Such tables can now be scrolled with the mouse wheel. The ‘Apply To Column’ function is now available in Net Classes, Track Styles, Line Styles and Text Styles. When adding or editing tracks, the context menu option called Autoroute is now more correctly called Auto Complete.

3. Preferences - The Display Preferences page has been laid out differently.

4. Projects - Paste now displays the ‘Paste Net’ dialog if net(s) exist in other sheets in the Project. A pasted Net receives the Net Class of an existing project net. A new Net will copy the net class from this net if defined in another sheet in the project. A new Net Class will copy parameters from this net class if defined in another sheet in the project.

5. Optimise Nets - Where a connection is required to connect an item to its powerplane a ‘zero length’ connection will be drawn as a ‘butterfly’ shape.

6. 3D View - New shapes BEAD, DILSwitch and LEDdisplay have been added.

>>> Version 2.0 no longer available for download <<< 

Version 2.0 New Features:

1. 3D viewer

2. Enhanced library features

Version 2.0 Bug Fixes:

1. Add Component - Cancel Mode on context menu

2. Values in component edit are now a tab on properties dialog (was separate dialog)

3. Grids - Control G - Grid Snap menu is now proper menu now has "Grids" option at bottom

4. Grids on context menu when something selected in design

5. Export to Bitmap/EMF on the File menu

6. new LPKF menu option (simply goes to same place as Manufacturing Plots in this release)

7. value position on a component can display the part (component) description field

8. project view has Rename and Duplicate functions to help manage sheets in project

9. Change Component shows both schematic and PCB previews

10. Reports - Component List - new column type 'Text' for inserting text strings into report

11. Add Component can now return to the dialog on Escape (switchable by option on Preferences)

12. When pasting copied design data, new Cancel Move option allows it to be dropped in original position (same position it was when you copied the data)

13. In component editing, values can be added or copied to all packages in the component by click of button instead of having to add them by hand to each package

14. When saving library items (symbols etc), the Save dialog includes <New Library> in the list of available libraries, allowing you to create a new library 'on the fly' to contain your library item.

15. library manager dialog : has 'ok all' and 'cancel all' buttons when doing 'Copy To'; now has 'Move To' button (like 'Copy To' then delete from source library afterwards); Components page has 'Save To Lib' button to save set of data for selected items to another library (see 10).

16. angular resolution increased to 2 decimal places for finer placement

17. right click on selected components in design, new option 'Save Selected Items to Library' allows you to save components and all their symbols/footprints to library files. Useful for building project libraries from a design, 'exporting' components and related symbols to a new library to give to someone else, etc.

18. Excellon setup dialog now provides ability to keep tool numbers unique across all drill files generated in one 'run'. Used for example to get unique tool numbers when you generate two separate files for plated and unplated holes.

19. Separation of plated and unplated holes on drill ident plots.

Note: Also included are several fixes including for eagle import (not bringing through all values) and mouse wheel scrolling

>>> Version 1.3 no longer available for download <<<

Version 1.3 Bug fixes:

Minor update, fixes added for the following:

1. import of EIL (component library) file was not always reading Description field correctly
 
2. IDF generation, suppress empty value fields in IDF output
 
3. Eagle import was not always handling mounting holes correctly

4. Program hang in New Component dialog if you select neither Scm nor Pcb
 
5. PDF plotting, drill holes missing on some pads shapes in PDF output

6. Discrete library had values missing, added in for consistency with tutorial documentation

>>> Version 1.0 no longer available for download <<<

Version 1.0 - First release (June 2010)

Wolrd's first fully featured FREE electronics design software is released to put the power to innovate in hands of EVERY engineer. RS Components and Allied Electronics are committed to fully support this excellent design resource. We will be gathering feedback from user community and respond to your needs/suggestions/feedback with enhancements and new features which will continue reinforcing DesignSpark PCB as an important part of your rapid prototyping and design toolchain.

>>> NEW: Version 7 now available for download! <<<

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*Free for commercial or non-commercial use, no limitations or licensing.

Watch our FAQ video to find out why RS/Allied provide DesignSpark PCB to you at no cost and what sort of problems our software can help you with:

DesignSpark PCB is the world’s most accessible electronics design software, specially designed for Rapid Prototyping and turning your circuit ideas into testable boards faster. Easy to learn and easy to use, DesignSpark PCB is here to help your company explore more design options - leading to increased innovation. At the core of this unique software is a powerful EDA engine that enables you to capture Schematics and design PCB boards and layouts. Access to on-line libraries of 80,000+ parts, instant Bill of Materials quoting and links to fast turnaround PCB vendors through unrestricted Gerber and ODB++ outputs, along with ample of prototype design functionality make this software indispensible for the impressive user base of over quarter of a million engineers.

Quick links:

>> installation/upgrade instructions

>> Product Brochure (PDF) in multiple languages

>> On-line Tutorials to help you getting started

>> List of input/output file formats

>> Supported Operating Systems

>> Change Log: Version 7.0.0 Update!

>> Example Reference Designs

>> Rapid Prototyping

Find Support on our Forums

Click here to read about typical uses of DSPCB depending on various user needs. Also see the DesignSpark PCB Customer Promise to learn about what we are committed to in terms of the software and supporting our users.

Want to know more? See a high level overview of the core functionality of DesignSpark PCB:

User Testimonials

We're always telling everyone just how great our free tools are! Don't just take our word for it, here are comments from some of our DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark Mechanical users. Read more...

Engineers are at the heart of evolution of DesignSpark PCB. Being Customer Focused is one of the key values here at RS Components and as such we listen closely to your needs:

Latest PCB design tutorials preview:

The topic of editing and re-using the ModelSource PCB library components is covered by our Expert in a series of 3 new tutorial videos View this tutorial | View all tutorials

A set of 12 'Getting Started' video tutorials from Eugene Tham @Republic Polytechnic in Singapore View this tutorial | View all tutorials

Power plane and Ground plane design in DesignSpark PCB (re-visited) View this tutorial | View all tutorials

DesignSpark PCB Software overview:

World’s first truly FREE and unrestricted electronics design software. Developed by RS Components/Allied Electronics to enable engineers rapidly design great products, DesignSpark PCB had won multiple awards since 2010 while attracting over 250,000 activations. This breakthrough in accessibility, backed by powerful features enabled engineers to share designs within teams and externally - bringing collaborative hardware design to a whole new level.

DesignSpark PCB is offered completely Free of Charge and fully featured. This is not a cut down version of an expensive product or one with a time limitation on license. (There are no intentional restrictions on designs). There are unlimited schematic sheets per project, up to 1m squared of board size and no limits on layers, which allow you to get your creativity flowing without restraints. DesignSpark PCB circuit design software can be used for schematic capture, PCB board design & layout, generating impressive 3D View to visualise your design in real time, and generating manufacturing files.

DesignSpark PCB supports importing of CadSoft EAGLE PCB CAD design files, circuit diagrams and libraries (See the Eagle import tutorial). In addition to extensive libraries, sophisticated part creation wizards make it easy to design new parts from scratch or by amending downloaded symbols and footprints. Bill of Materials (BOM) report can also be generated at any time; these give RS Components order numbers where appropriate.

DesignSpark PCB allows you to generate all the files required to take your project from circuit diagram to layout schematic to a circuit board built project. Gerbers (Extended RS-274-X), Excellons, component positions report are available to make your design compatible with pick and place machines ready for automated PCB assembly (reflow oven process). Other output formats include DXF (import and export) and IDF for interfacing to mechanical CAD software tools.
Whether you are a professional designer making money from your designs, an electronics education professional, a student or a hobbyist seeking an easy to use, professional standard, unrestricted schematic capture and PCB layout tool, then DesignSpark PCB is right for you!

DesignSpark PCB is based on community feedback and all software development, enhancements and new features derive from your comments, design work and experiences you share with other members.

To learn more watch our series of introductory videos:

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This page provides an overview of file formats associated with DesignSpark PCB software

1. Importing designs from other PCB Tools

DesignSpark PCB is intended primarily for prototype/concept creation, sitting at the beginning of the design process (read more here). DesignSpark PCB is therefore not intended as a tool for editing and modifying designs that originated in other tools. There is however one exception:DesignSpark PCB allows importing designs from CadSoft EAGLEPCB software. Full import of Eagle component libraries, Eagle schematic designs and Eagle PCB designs is supported. Check this tutorial to learn about Eagle design files import and check this tutorial to learn about Eagle component library import. We've made it very easy to switch from Eagle so we recommend you try it now if you're an Eagle user

2. Input formats

*.dxf - AutoCAD file format (can also be used to import dimensions from DesignSpark Mechanical)

*.net, *.edn - OrCAD Netlist

*.prj - DesignSpark PCB Project file

*.sch, *.pcb - DesignSpark PCB schematic and PCB design files

*.stf, *.ptf - DesignSpark PCB schematic and pcb technlology files

*.eis, *.eip - Eagle import files (intermediate)

3. Output formats

• Manufacturing plots

*.gbr - Gerber files, e.g. RS-274-X (fully configurable, output file extension can be defined by user)

*.drl - NC Drill file, Excellon (fully configurable, output file extension can be defined by user)

*.pen - Pen Plot file (fully configurable, output file extension can be defined by user)

*.tgz - ODB++ export uses TAR format and produces a single compressed file with the that you send to your manufacturer for processing. This was added in DesignSpark PCB Version 7.0.0 - Read more about this feature

• Simulation outputs

*.net - B2 Spice

*.cir - IsSpice, LTSpice, TINA

*.spn - basic spice netlist

• Mechanical design outputs

*.dxf- AutoCAD file format 

*.idf - Intermediate Data Format file (standard configurable format and also a simplifiedDesignSpark Mechanical version)

• Built-in Reports
  

*.csv, *.txt - A series of useful reports built-in to DesignSpark PCB as ready-to-use templates: Bill of Materials (BOM), Component Height, Dangling Tracks, Design Rule Check, Design Status, Schematic/PCB Check, Layers Report, Net Completion, Unconneced Pins, Component Positions. These reports can be customised to suit your requirements

• User Reports

*.csv, *.txt- built-in reports can be customised as user reports but also user can create/combine any of the available design/component values/properties into a report. There is a high degree of flexibility in making these selections and configuration

• Workflow outputs

*.pdf - Adobe Reader file, for example save schematics or artwork

Windows output - send schematics or artwork to your standard Windows printer (fully configurable)

3D View - 3D visualisation, no formal output file but screenshots of 3D View are a popular input into user documentation. 3D View colors and properties can be customised

*.bmp - exports the current view to a bitmap file

*.emf - Enhanced Meta File image

4. Further information

For more information on DesignSpark PCB input and output formats please refer to Help file in DesignSpark PCB, available from Help>Help Contents (Shift+F1). Further help is available through our Support

DesignSpark PCB version 7 is now available!

Packed with powerful features for schematic capture and PCB layout, DesignSpark PCB gives you the power to rapidly prototype your amazing designs.

We've listened to your feedback and are pleased to be able to give you version 7 of this award winning software.

New features: 

Enhanced part number handling: Ensures your Bill Of Materials (BOM) is complete at any stage of the design

Sketch routes: Lets you draw approximate routing paths, then uses algorithms to find the best track routes to speed up designing (works in schematic and PCB views)

Export in ODB++: A new export format for DesignSpark PCB, as requested by our users

Looking for other Rapid Prototyping tools and services? Then visit our Rapid Prototyping design centre and find everything you need.

Adopting Rapid Prototyping for increased innovation

     We know that as an Engineer you enjoy trying new things and solving problems that have not been solved before. Due to the ever increasing time-to-market pressures companies tend not to encourage this "outside the box" thinking. The desire to get products out to customers in shortest time is natural and often helps winning business by simply getting there first. One implication of such approach though is re-using previous design work, thus limiting innovation. While re-using previously validated circuits is by all means an excellent shortcut, the longer term consequence could be missing out on the advantage of new technologies, risking competition coming up with cheaper, more reliable and efficient products.  

     Investing time in tackling problems from a wider variety of angles does not have to mean longer design cycles. Rapid Prototyping methodology can neutralise the innovation overhead adding real benefits for the individual engineers: keeping skills up to date and staying abreast with latest technologies. The highly accessible DesignSpark resources complement the breadth of the RS Components and Allied Elecronics product offer, forming a unique Rapid Prototyping environment.

Challenges of Rapid Prototyping

     The philosophy of creating a number of completely separate design concepts within a design team is not new. In fact it had been around for decades, gradually challenged by market realities. This good practice ensures no option is left unexplored and the final product addresses the customer problem in the best way; both from technical and cost perspectives.

     The caveat is  that each of the shortlisted concepts need proving in some form of tangible prototype - this is where the costs and additional time start rocketing up. Firstly producing electronic and mechanical prototypes used to be a considerable cost up until few years ago. Secondly the traditional electronics and mechanical design software is costly and its complexity means unavoidable steep learning curve. Both these factors make it challenging to scale up number of engineers involved in digital concept creation within a given company's design team.

3D Printing changes the game

     Up until very recently only the cash-rich Aerospace, Military and Automotive corporations could afford getting the physical concept models manufactured for variety of ideas addressing a single design need. Medium and small engineering companies were forced to seek cost reductions, settling with compromising on one best concept potentially missing out on a number of better end solutions.

     Complemented with fast turnaround PCB pooling services, increasingly affordable 3D Printing enables producing tangible concept prototypes at a fraction of the cost. This remarkable development allows even smallest companies experiment with a variety of  design approaches helping create solutions better suited to customer needs.

Traditional software not suited for innovation

     The widely used mechanical and electronics design tools have grown in complexity over the decades and are now perfectly geared for handling complex designs and produce precise manufacturing blueprints. This is ideal for the final product design when all particulars are tested and agreed. Not ideal for making lots of iterative changes, characteristic to the concept-prototype stages of the design cycle. What if the prototype is required for validating only a small circuit, a part of an end product?

     Traditional tools are often an overkill for such small jobs, yet with no alternative incur delays due to dependence on CAD specialists holding the expertise and a software license. Communication between design engineers and PCB layout professionals or 3D CAD specialists is a large cost, often unappreciated, due to the fact that making changes is time consuming because of the software complexity. A good example here is the history-based nature of traditional 3D CAD where making even a smallest change has a knock-on effect on the rest of design. Rapid Prototyping approach requires design software that invites lots of frequent design alterations that allow collaborative input from customers, marketing, sales and other engineers.

How does this affect the time-to-market? How do I benefit?

     At RS Components and Allied Electronics we believe there can be more innovation. We want to enable every engineer to try out more ideas. Our mission is to level the play field by enabling the small to compete with the big by democratising product design. DesignSpark resources are created to give you the ability to adopt the Rapid Prototyping approach to create better end products for your customers, differentiating from competition.

     We removed the barriers of cost and complexity form the concept-prototype stages of the design cycle, producing ultra-accessible tools for innovation. This ease of use means weeks or even months are no longer necessary for training, the minimised complexity saves tons of time when making frequent design changes. These factors neutralise the innovation overhead caused by creation of more concepts and prototypes. The more ideas you try out, the more you learn, keeping up to date with the latest trends and technologies, the more you enjoy engineering. We believe the less you rely on in-house PCB layout specialists or outsourced Mechanical design, the more freedom you have to experiment with new ideas.

     The accessibility of our tools also proved to stimulate collaboration both between engineers in design teams and between companies and subcontractors, further reducing the innovation overhead. Combined with the broad product range available from RS Components and Allied Electronics, DesignSpark is the ultimate modern Rapid Prototyping environment you can start taking advantage of right now!

>> Go to Rapid Prototyping Design Centre

Background:

Carbis Design Ltd., provides cost effective proof of concept instrumentation solutions to the scientific industry, building heavily on my experience gained as an engineer and manager of a specialist scientific engineering team in the Pharmaceutical Industry for 30 years.

Overview:

Within the Pharmaceutical R&D environment there is a continuous drive for improved research productivity and data quality to reduce the overall cost of developing a drug or product. Our small team with its high number of scientific engineering requests had to handle these in a timely and cost efficient method and the team were encouraged to investigate and develop avenues to meet this objective.

Examples of implementation:

Anything routine or straight forward to produce would be outsourced to companies which we had developed and built up a working understanding. Solid modelling 3D CAD was a particularly good tool here for rapid product development, being fast an efficient to release the designer’s creativity and also a great visualisation tool for discussions with the customer and contractor. In some cases the 3D model alone was adequate to supply the contract company who based on our ‘understanding’ would produce the parts, often by a simple translation into their CNC software. Although we used a top end 3D CAD system, DesignSpark Mechanical now opens this exciting creativity and productivity area to everyone as it is free and not burdened by an annual support contract. Within Carbis Design Ltd., this provides a powerful and enabling design tool that only a few years ago would have remained on our ‘wish list’.

For more technically involved requirements where our designers could use their creativity, I encouraged them to investigate rapid prototyping techniques across all technologies, from the mBed for microcontroller development, web based panel design tools, PCB design and manufacturer (although this was normally sub-contracted) and we also explored the majority of 3D printing techniques available, particularly SLA Image 1. These were services provided via 3D printing agencies as they were expensive high quality processes not suitable for our in-house use. Using an external 3D company also provided us with a large range of materials to choose from and we could often find one that met our chemical and thermal stability requirements.

Image 1. Stereo Lithography by Ogle Design © Ogle Design.

We also had the desire to print 3D parts in-house but at that time reliable 3D printers such as the 3D Systems products were just not available. This would have enabled an even faster development of some of our proof of concept ideas where chemical compatibility would not be an issue.

As an example of rapid prototyping techniques, the modern inhaler Image 2 is very much designed for the ergonomic use of the patient, however the development laboratories have to test these and that requires a precise and reliable mechanism to grip the inhaler and activate it as much in the same way as the patient. Obtaining the CAD surface model of the inhaler and using the 3D CAD system to create a mating surface on which the inhaler can precisely locate.  The holder required carefully designed profiles and fingers to allowing deformation such that the inhaler could be precisely placed and removed by machine or operator.

Image 2. Typical GlaxoSmithKline Accuhaler ©GlaxoSmithKline.

In other situations complex castings would be required for an optimum solution, but as our requirements were for low quantities and often just one off this could not be cost effective. Rapid prototyping techniques again provide a fast and effective design solution which would be difficult by subtractive machining. In an MRI system a non-magnetic assembly with a complex water jacket to keep a sample at a controlled temperature was successfully fabricated using SLA. The 3D model allowed the complete item, water channel system and sample holder to be designed as one part successfully replacing the original messy ‘silicon tube’ version.

This MRI sample holder is a good example where you need to understand the production process and a second model was required to increase the wall thickness. As with any tool or process there is a learning curve to “design for 3D production” to ensure you get the most from the tools. Printing stability, thermal contraction, symmetry etc., are all things to be accounted for in your design, but once you have acquired this knowledge from your 3D printer agency or using your own in-house printer, the benefits are enormous.

As with many designs, there is hidden software and electronics behind the scene, this would range from complete commercial systems down to board level components. Often for flexibility a microcontroller module with bespoke signal conditioning and I/O control would be fabricated. Each engineer had their own preferred CAD and programing software along with the ‘best’ microcontroller, but in the interests of design stability and cross project working these were standardised where possible and again purchase costs and maintenance costs formed part of this decision.

The future:

For my company Carbis Design Limited I invested in the purchase of an Ormerod kit, if I were repeating the exercise I would probably purchase a ready built printer produced by 3D Systems such as the CubeX at under £1500 (See RS components for other advanced models), however I learnt a lot from this Ormerod kit approach and now have a good appreciation of the printing process which helps my designing to get the best from your printer.  This truly is a rapid prototyping tool and with the DesignSpark Mechanical CAD a design can be created efficiently and be printed while you work on the next aspect of your design.

Final printed quality is acceptable for proof of concept enclosures where the ergonomics of the layout need to be confirmed, my customers have been most impressed with this early stage consideration and to be able to handle a physical representative object.

Mechanisms, brackets, spacers, clamps, gears etc., are also easily created and the quality here is usable for the final product as is seen by the Ormerod printer itself having many parts printed by similar machines.

In parallel with DesignSpark Mechanical the other great rapid prototyping tool is DesignSpark PCB and although I’m often classified as a ‘Multi-skilled Engineer’ here I’m really at home as an electronic designer. DesignSpark PCB is well designed allowing you to learn the basics and get up to speed quickly, this has the added advantage that you can recall how to use it after you have completed the software aspects of your design and need to revise your layout. An example prototype PCB layout and 3D image is shown in Image 3. This PCB was actually 3 modules deep with an mBed module mounted on the bottom copper layer and an LCD module mounted on the top copper layer such that it fitted a commercial hand held enclosure with the LCD aligning with the enclosure LCD window and the mBed USB protruding from the enclosure end. The shape and positions of enclosure mounts made DXF board outline import into DesignSpark PCB perfect for the application.

Image 3. Prototype PCB layout and 3D image from DesignSpark PCB © Carbis Design Ltd.

Future developments of this project will be the redesign of the schematic and PCB within DesignSpark PCB to accommodate additional features and the transfer of the 3D IDF file to DesignSpark Mechanical for a custom enclosure prototype design prior to volume manufacturing, illustrating the rapid prototyping power of these two DesignSpark tools.

Having been a customer of RS Components since my final year university project in 1975 where I required a ‘special’ Schottky power diode (now in every electronic power supply) and subsequently with every company I have been employed by and indeed now also with my own company. I have enjoyed the supportive relationship and the range of products available off the shelf to allow rapid product development. Now with my own company these free rapid prototyping tools for mechanical and electronic design have truly been a boom for my business and encouraged me into new innovative areas where the prototypes illustrate to the customer the true final product.

Whether you are in a large or small company the rapid prototyping tools of DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark Mechanical (and a 3D printer) provide a very low cost route to allow your designers to innovate and evaluate proof of concept ideas. The software is free and does not have service/ maintenance charges which can be burden to adopting other software and this helps the smaller companies tremendously allowing them to take this exciting and innovative step.

*** Coming Soon - available mid-December *** 

Accelerate your design with confidence using Product Data Library. Start accessing and downloading all your technical data for FREE.

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At RS Components we are committed to helping customers with their rapid prototyping process so would like to introduce Product Data Library. Currently a beta version it holds over 2 million part numbers from over 500 manufacturers with 5 million individual pieces of technical documentation and computer aided engineering files to support in your design process.

What does Product Data Library do?

Within Product Data Library you can easily find and download technical data from multiple suppliers in one go. This could be a datasheet, schematic, footprint, 3D model, application note, SPICE model or even legislation data.

Benefits of using Product Data Library:

• Save time with easy document download
• Find all technical content in one place
• Technical data for complete manufacturer ranges
• Create fractured schematic symbols with new ECAD Part wizard
• Access 3D STEP models and schematic footprints from industry leading manufacturers
• Quick buy with fast delivery

 It is easy to find and download Technical Documents via Product Data Library using our help guide.

What does Product Data Library contain?

• Latest datasheets in MULTIPLE languages (as we update we’ll also keep old revisions for you just in case you need them)
• Application notes
• SPICE models
• Schematics/footprints (“fractorable” and editable)
• 3D models in STEP file format
• Software and code for electronics design
• Legislation/regulation documents
• Product specification drawings
• + many other types of other useful technical documents

All available for complete product listsing's from the leading manufacturers in both the Electronics and Automation and Control markets.

Which product types are featured?

We include technical information for a wide range of products including semiconductors, passives, connectors, power supplies, transformers, switches, relays, automation & control gear and more.

Share your thoughts

We are continuously looking to introduce new forms of technical documentation, including the following:

• Product lifecycle status (including PCN's & PTN's)
• Obsolescence risk analysis forecasts
• Product alternatives 
• Favourites list functionality
• Bill of Materials creation and sharing functionality

We will consistently be expanding our product range so if you can’t find everything you need straight away keep checking back for updates.

Have we missed something? We value your feedback so if there is a change you want to see then please let us know using our forum. 

Click here to start looking for your Technical Documents

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If you are creating your own technical database and want a feed from us, then send us your requirements by email and we will try to help.

 

Taking part in our POWER HACK is Team Faraday!

Consisting of industry leading experts:

Jude Pullen (Direct Modelling)
Richard Gledhill
Enrico Varrone (Arcola Energy)
Michael Broadhead (Schneider Electric) 

The brief is simple: Create a domestic electricity generator product idea that is affordable and easy-to-manufacture in the 3^rd world.

What product will they come up with? Stay tuned on Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th December to find out more.

Introducing Team Kilby to the POWER HACK! Consisting of industry leading experts:

Matt Johnson (Bare Conductive)
Mike Meakin (LPRS)
Clemens Valens (Elektor)
Nick Cripps (Arcola Energy)
Adam John Williams

Their challenge is to create an domestic electricity generator which is affordable and easy-to-produce in the 3rd world. What will they design? Follow Team Kilby on Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th December to find out more.