RS South Africa, a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of product and service solutions, has announced the local availability of DesignSpark PCB version 13, the latest evolution of its award-winning PCB design software.
Sponsored by Würth Elektronik, a leading manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components, this release delivers significant enhancements to PCB design functionality while empowering engineers, students, and innovators across South Africa.
Since its launch in 2010, DesignSpark PCB has remained committed to providing accessible, professional-grade design tools for engineers of all levels. Over the years, the platform has become an essential tool for South African students, start-ups, and SMEs who are innovating across industries such as telecommunications, renewable energy, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.
The new release introduces advanced capabilities to make PCB design more powerful and intuitive, including:
- 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 enable compact antenna design for wide bandwidth wireless communication.
- Interactive BOM Export: Makes prototyping easier by visually correlating components in the BOM with their PCB placement.
These updates strengthen RS’s commitment to South Africa’s engineering community, making advanced tools more accessible to local innovators who are working to solve real-world challenges.
Pete Wood, Director of DesignSpark, comments: “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 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,” adds Simon Leuz, Head of Global Distribution at Würth Elektronik.
Wesley Hood, Education and Social Impact Specialist at RS South Africa, highlights that tools like DesignSpark PCB version 13 are game changers for South Africa’s engineers, makers, and students. “By providing world-class, professional-grade design capabilities at no cost, RS is lowering the barriers to entry for innovation.”
This means young innovators, start-ups, and SMEs can compete on a global level, accelerate their ideas, and contribute to building solutions that address South Africa’s unique challenges.
DesignSpark PCB forms part of the comprehensive suite of engineering tools and resources available on the DesignSpark website, which includes mechanical and circuit simulation software, technical articles, community forums, and a vast library of components and reference designs.
With these resources, RS South Africa continues to invest in enabling local talent, driving digital skills development, and ensuring that the country’s engineering community has access to the latest global technologies.
To start designing with world-class tools today, download DesignSpark PCB version 13 for free at www.designspark.com. Join the DesignSpark community and be part of the movement empowering South African engineers, students, and innovators to create home-grown solutions with global impact.
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About RS
RS is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.
We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations.
We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference.
Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people planet and profit.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.
PR Contact Person – RS South Africa:
Princess Tlou
Communications & Content Specialist
RS South Africa
+27 11 691 9366
Media Contact Person – NGAGE:
Thobile Ndlovu
PR Account Executive
+27 11 867 7763
Further information is available via these links:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RSOnlineSA
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-south-africa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rssouthafrica
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DesignSpark is a global engineering ecosystem comprising a global community for students, pro-creators, and professional design engineers.
DesignSpark’s comprehensive suite of resources and solutions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of engineers across industries.
Wesley Hood, Education and Social Impact Specialist, RS South Africa - RS South Africa DesignSpark PCB version 13 launches with powerful new features_ approved
RS South Africa DesignSpark PCB version 13 launches with powerful new features_ approved
