RS, a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, have launched the DesignSpark PCB version 13, the latest evolution of its PCB design software. Sponsored by Würth Elektronik, a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components, this release marks a significant step forward in PCB design capabilities and reinforces DesignSpark’s dedication to its global engineering community through continuous innovation and enhancement.
Since its inception in July 2010, DesignSpark PCB has been fuelled by a mission to provide accessible, professional-grade design tools for engineers around the world and across all industries. Its intuitive interface and powerful features quickly established it as a trusted solution for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) helping them to streamline workflows, improve design precision, and unlock creative potential in their PCB development processes.
The software simplifies circuit board design and, alongside its core features—including a vast library of millions of PCB symbols and footprints and support for unlimited board layers—DesignSpark PCB version 13 now offers much more, including these top 5 advanced functionalities:
- Enhanced graphics– improved rendering and visual clarity for smoother design experiences and high-resolution outputs
- Set symbol origin at centre of pads– simplifies alignment and improves accuracy in component placement
- Serpentine routing– ensures high-speed signal integrity in dense spaces with advanced trace shaping
- Archimedean spiral generator– updated to use the Archimedean equation. This enables compact antenna design for wide bandwidth wireless communication
- Interactive BOM export– makes hand-soldered prototyping easier by visually correlating components in the BOM with their placement on a PCB layout
These enhancements reinforce RS’s commitment to continuous innovation and community support.
“DesignSpark PCB has always been about making powerful design tools accessible to engineers everywhere, and version 13 is a major milestone in that journey. We’re incredibly proud of how far the software has come – from its intuitive interface to the advanced features now available – and we’re thrilled to welcome Würth Elektronik on board as a sponsor,” said Pete Wood, Director of DesignSpark. “Their reputation for quality components and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to support designers at every stage of their process. Together, we’re helping engineers turn great ideas into great products.”
Simon Leuz, Head of Global Distribution, Würth Elektronik, added: “We believe that great designs start with the right components. Supporting DesignSpark PCB version 13 is a natural extension of our commitment to empowering engineers with the tools they need to innovate confidently and ensure that high-performance design software is accessible to all – because when design tools and quality components come together, the possibilities are limitless.’’
