Electronic Design at Z-AXIS | Part 1

Summary

Z-Axis offers electronic design and manufacturing services with a structured process. Starting with a requirements document or a concept, their engineers provide a proposal, conduct a feasibility study, and create a block diagram. They emphasize the importance of part sourcing and suggest alternatives to avoid production delays. The design process includes schematic capture with PADS and simulation with SPICE, followed by a thorough design review to ensure all requirements are met. Stay tuned for the next video in the series on printed circuit board layout.

Takeaways

• 📝 Z-axis offers electronic design and manufacturing services, with a three-part video series explaining their process.
• 📋 Clients can provide a detailed requirements document or just a concept, and Z-axis's design engineers will assist accordingly.
• 📈 Z-axis provides a proposal that includes a timeline, milestones, and costs based on the project's requirements.
• 🔍 The first phase may involve a feasibility study and the creation of a basic prototype.
• 📐 The design process starts with a block diagram, representing functions like battery protection circuitry.
• 🔌 Designing circuits for each block is followed by finding the optimal solution for the project.
• ⏱ Sourcing parts can be more time-consuming than designing circuits due to the need to compare specifications, pricing, availability, and sourcing issues.
• 🛠️ Smart design choices can prevent production delays, and Z-axis may suggest alternatives even if all components are identified.
• 📚 Z-axis uses parts from their design library but can also define and add new parts as required.
• 🖥️ Schematic capture is done using computer-aided design software called PADS.
• 🔧 After schematic capture, the electrical circuit is simulated using software called SPICE.
• 🔍 A design review is conducted where a team of engineers checks for flaws and ensures all requirements are met.

Q & A

What services does z-axis provide?

Z-axis provides electronic design and manufacturing services.

What is this video series about?

This video is the first in a three-part series describing z-axis's electronic design process from the requirements document through the design review.

What do some manufacturers provide z-axis with at the start of a project?

Some manufacturers come to z-axis with a detailed requirements document and a statement of work.

How does z-axis assist manufacturers who aren't sure how to achieve their product goals?

Z-axis's design engineers help these manufacturers by providing a proposal based on their requirements, including a timeline, milestones, and costs.

What is often the first phase in z-axis's design process?

The first phase could be a feasibility study, and many projects need a basic prototype.

What is the starting point for detailed design work at z-axis?

Detailed design work begins with creating a block diagram, where each block represents a function, such as battery protection circuitry.

Why does sourcing parts take more time than designing circuits?

Sourcing parts takes more time because there are many specifications to compare, and issues such as pricing, availability, and sourcing to consider.

What advantage does making smarter choices during the design process offer?

Making smarter choices during the design process can help avoid production delays later on.

How does z-axis ensure that all client requirements are met?

Z-axis performs a design review, where a team of design engineers looks for flaws and ensures that all requirements are met.

What software does z-axis use for schematic capture and circuit simulation?

For schematic capture, z-axis uses computer-aided design software called PADS, and for circuit simulation, they use software called SPICE.