Transforming PCB Design with Altium Designer and Altium 365: A Case Study

• Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries
• Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards

• Aerospace
• Equipment & Machinery

• Maintenance
• Product Research & Development

• Time Sensitive Networking

• Hardware Design & Engineering Services
• System Integration

Small PCB design firms often face the challenge of limited access to affordable, comprehensive software tools. These tools are essential for designing, co-designing, sourcing parts, and sharing projects at each stage of the development cycle. Many available tools are incomplete, requiring additional modules that increase complexity and costs. Matthew Lightsey, founder and principal designer of Granite Summit Designs, experienced this challenge firsthand. His firm specializes in designing custom PCBs for various industries, including commercial, industrial, aerospace, and defense. When starting his own design firm, Matt did not want to compromise on professional tools. However, he found that more comprehensive solutions came with a higher price tag, while cheaper solutions were inadequate for professional use.

Granite Summit Designs, based in Warwick, Rhode Island, is a small firm specializing in designing custom PCBs. The firm's designs are used in a wide range of applications, from data acquisition systems and high-resolution printers to mobile TV and broadband satellite receiver/transmitters. The designs are utilized across various industries, including commercial, industrial, aerospace, and defense. The firm is led by Matthew Lightsey, an experienced electrical engineer who has worked for major corporations. Matt's expertise lies in creating unique parts and schematics, particularly for highly irregular PCB shapes that fit into tight housings with varying height restrictions.

Matt turned to Altium Designer, an all-in-one tool that offered all the capabilities he needed at a fraction of the cost of other software systems. Altium Designer features everything from placement and routing of critical circuits and signals to an easy handoff to an external layout team. With Altium 365, Matt gained access to a new design experience that connects engineering desktop tools, including Altium Designer and Altium Concord Pro, via a cloud-based platform. As a design consultant, Matt creates unique designs with parts libraries for different clients. The unified design environment of Altium Designer, combined with the integrated library system of Concord Pro, streamlines his processes. Altium Designer’s advanced 3D modeling capabilities allow Matt to visualize his designs, while Altium 365 enables him to share designs with clients and collaborators whenever necessary. Concord Pro inside Altium 365 helps Matt organize disparate libraries into a single source.

• The adoption of Altium Designer and Altium 365 has significantly improved the operations at Granite Summit Designs. The comprehensive and affordable solution has eliminated the need for multiple software tools, reducing complexity and costs. The advanced 3D modeling capabilities of Altium Designer allow for better visualization of designs, enhancing the design process. The cloud-based platform of Altium 365 enables easy sharing of designs, improving collaboration with clients and other stakeholders. The integrated library system of Concord Pro has streamlined processes, making it easier to find and reuse component parts. Overall, the solution has enhanced the firm's design capabilities and operational efficiency.

• Altium Designer costs less than the annual maintenance plans of the software Matt was using before switching.

• Altium Designer and Altium 365 offer a comprehensive solution, eliminating the need for multiple software tools.

• Altium 365's cloud-based platform allows for easy sharing of designs with clients and collaborators.