Revolutionizing Sustainability: Woodoo and Altium's Innovative Approach to Material Development

• Networks & Connectivity - RFID
• Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards

• Consumer Goods
• Electronics

• Product Research & Development

• Additive Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Process Simulation

• Hardware Design & Engineering Services

Woodoo, a Paris-based materials company, is on a mission to redefine sustainability by transforming responsibly-harvested hardwoods into a durable, translucent material. The company uses a proprietary nanotechnology process to remove lignin from wood and replace it with a bio-based polymer made from recycled materials. The resulting product is as versatile as plastic, but thinner, stronger, and more translucent. However, in the early years of operation, Woodoo relied on a free PCB design tool that was insufficient for their growing needs. By 2020, it was clear that a more comprehensive solution was needed to meet the company's ambitious goals. The challenge was to find a new PCB software tool that would support the company's progress and clients with ease.

Woodoo is a materials company based in Paris, France, that is revolutionizing the concept of sustainability. The company uses a proprietary nanotechnology process to transform responsibly-harvested hardwoods into a durable, translucent material that is as versatile as plastic, but thinner, stronger, and more translucent. Founded in 2016 by architect Timothée Boitouzet, Woodoo was created to address the impending global housing crisis. The company's main products are translucent wood and a special tool used with prospective customers to showcase the treated wood's capabilities. Woodoo's innovative approach to material development has the potential to replace less sustainable materials such as plastic, glass, and metals.

To address the challenge, Woodoo brought onboard Mechatronics Engineer, Nicolas Furnemont, in early 2020. Furnemont chose Altium Designer, a unique PCB software system that offers a unified design environment. Altium Designer's hierarchical design features allowed Woodoo to manage connections between all functional blocks and ensure components are linked together correctly. The software's 3D visualization capabilities ensured that the electronic components would fit neatly in a very small area. Altium Designer also proved ideal for the unique shapes Woodoo's signature product conforms to because it empowers Rigid-Flex design. To streamline everyday workflow, Furnemont and his team also utilized Altium 365, a cloud-based platform that connects engineering desktop tools with all stakeholders involved, from design to manufacturing.

• The implementation of Altium Designer and Altium 365 has significantly improved Woodoo's operational efficiency. The unified design environment of Altium Designer has allowed the team to manage connections between all functional blocks and ensure components are linked together correctly. The 3D visualization capabilities of the software have ensured that the electronic components fit perfectly inside the finished product. Altium 365 has been instrumental in facilitating team collaboration and conducting design reviews. The cloud functionality of the platform has made it easy for team members to collaborate on projects, resolve issues, and maintain version control. Furthermore, the handheld device designed with Altium software has helped Woodoo's prospective customers understand the company's capabilities and explore the different ways the material can be used in their projects.