Premier Farnell Sets New Benchmark for Board-Level Design Solutions Across CAD Libraries, PCB Design and PCB Prototyping


Over 45,000 CAD models available for free download with 1000s more added every month. Seamless integration with PCB design software, CAD model authoring software and PCB prototyping to yield dramatic design flow efficiencies

London, Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), today announced the immediate availability of over 45,000 CAD model files for use by its electronics design customers. The models support products from many of the world's leading electronic component and semiconductor suppliers, and used alongside PCB design tools, help designers to quickly and accurately realise their printed circuit board (PCB) design. This development follows on from recent announcements showing Premier Farnell's continued investment in providing comprehensive solutions for engineering design from product specification through prototype.

The CAD models are available globally from Premier Farnell's element14, Newark and Farnell brands and can be downloaded by design engineers free of charge. Designers can use the CAD model symbols and footprints in the EAGLE PCB design software to create board-level schematics and PCB physical design layouts.

EAGLE PCB design software provides a cost-effective, feature-rich development environment. With the recently announced availability of EAGLE v6.0, free technical support and an extensive library of User Language Programs (ULPs), the availability of over 45,000 3D & CAD models further extends the utility of this popular PCB design solution.

Premier Farnell also offers the Ultra Librarian CAD model authoring software which allows PCB designers to quickly create custom models that are unique to their design in a powerful and easy to use environment.

In addition to the design software, CAD models and components needed to create the design, Premier Farnell also has expanded its solutions portfolio to include a seamless connection to prototype delivery. The Knode on element14 directly connects users to PCB Services partners who provide quick-turn bareboard printed circuit boards in Europe via Eurocircuits, and both bareboard PCBs and PCB assembly in the Americas through Pentalogix and Screaming Circuits.

"Providing online access to this rich library of CAD models is just one part of our strategy to support design engineers in every step of the design flow," said David Shen, Group SVP and Global Head of Technical Marketing at Premier Farnell. "On its own it already provides incredible value to PCB design engineers with this easy to use resource, but the real value comes from the seamless integration with PCB design software, CAD model authoring software and quick-turn PCB prototyping services. This joined-up solution and global reach drives massive design flow efficiencies for our customers."

About CadSoft

CadSoft Computer GmbH and CadSoft Inc. are subsidiaries of Premier Farnell plc., one of the world's leading distributors of electronic components, products and services. CadSoft specializes in the development of the popular CAD-Software EAGLE used by design engineers worldwide for over 20 years. EAGLE is a user-friendly, powerful and affordable software for efficient circuit board design (PCB design) and combines the modules schematic editor, layout editor and autorouter on one single interface. Shared Open Source User Language Programs (ULPs) guarantee maximum flexibility by enabling various features, such as simulation, realization of individual instruction sequences, data export and import. DesignLink feature provides access to data and prices on over 4 million products from Newark, Farnell and element 14. EAGLE users benefit from free support through dedicated experts, active customer forums, the EAGLE community on element 14, webinars and training on demand.

EAGLE is available for Linux®, Mac® and Windows®.

About Premier Farnell

Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) is a global leader in high service distribution of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. Its differentiated proposition includes 29 local language transactional websites, and the critically important element14 Community for design engineers - an industry first (www.element14.com). With sales last year of £990.8m and underlying profits of £93.3m the Group distributes its comprehensive portfolio of products and services throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, supported by a global supply chain of over 3,500 suppliers and an inventory profile developed to anticipate and meet its customers' needs.

While global in scope, Premier Farnell recognises the individual needs of each market and has continued to internationalise its model accordingly. It trades locally as Farnell in Europe, Newark/element14 in North America and Farnell Newark in Brazil. Across Asia Pacific the business trades as element14.

Key facts

o Operations in 35 different countries

o 4,100 employees

o Over 2 million customer contacts in 156 industries

o Over 3,500 leading suppliers

o Over 400,000 products stocked with access to over four million more on demand

o Global leader in legislation RoHS, WEEE, REACH

For more information visit the website at Premier Farnell.

For news updates from element14 visit:

Premier Farnell News Centre - http://www.premierfarnell.com/premier_farnell/publicrelations/
Or contact:

Email: pressoffice@premierfarnell.com

Global Contact:

Ken Leitch

Global Head of PR

Premier Farnell and Farnell

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7851 4145

E-mail: KLeitch@premierfarnell.com


APAC Contact:

Christina Loh

Communications APAC

Tel: + 65 6671 8769

E-mail: cloh@element14.com

European Contact:

Aakriti Kaushik

PR Manager, Europe and Global

Premier Farnell and Farnell

Tel: +44 (0) 113 279 0101

Email: akaushik@premierfarnell.com

Americas Contact:

Janice Fleisher

Communications Americas

Tel: +001 (1) 773 907 5941

Email: jfleisher@newark.com

PR Agency Contact:

Jonathan Roberts

Account Director

Pinnacle Marketing Communications, Ltd

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8869 9339

E-mail: j.roberts@pinnaclemarcom.com

All Topics