Electronic Design at Z-AXIS | Part 1

Z-AXIS, Inc.

15 Mar 202302:10

Summary

TLDRZ-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.

Outlines

00:00

📘 Introduction to Z-Axis Design and Manufacturing Services

Z-Axis provides electronic design and manufacturing services. This video is the first in a three-part series that outlines their electronic design process, from creating a requirements document to conducting a design review. The company caters to clients who either have detailed requirements or need guidance in defining their product needs.

📄 Requirements and Proposal Phase

Clients come to Z-Axis with varying levels of detail in their requirements. The company offers to help refine these requirements and provides a proposal that includes a timeline, milestones, and costs. The initial phase often involves a feasibility study and may include creating a basic prototype.

🛠️ Block Diagram and Circuit Design

The detailed design phase starts with creating a block diagram where each block represents a specific function, such as battery protection circuitry. Z-Axis engineers then design circuits for each block, aiming to find the best solutions. Sourcing parts, which involves comparing specifications and considering pricing and availability, can take more time than the actual circuit design.

📦 Parts Sourcing and Design Choices

Choosing the right components during the design phase is crucial to avoid production delays. Even if clients have identified the components they need, Z-Axis might suggest alternatives. They use parts from their design library whenever possible but can also define and add new parts as necessary.

📐 Schematic Capture and Simulation

Once the preliminary design is complete, it's time for schematic capture using CAD software called PADS. Technicians draw the actual circuit diagram, and then simulate the electrical circuit using software called SPICE to ensure functionality.

🔍 Design Review

A team of design engineers conducts a design review to check for flaws and ensure all requirements are met. This collaborative approach, leveraging multiple engineers, helps to identify and resolve potential issues effectively.

🔜 Next Steps: PCB Layout

The next video in the electronic design series will cover how Z-Axis performs a printed circuit board (PCB) layout. Viewers are encouraged to contact Z-Axis for more information.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Electronic Design

Electronic design refers to the process of creating electronic systems or components, which involves planning, conceptualizing, and detailing the electrical and electronic aspects of a product. In the video's context, it is the core service provided by Z-Axis, encompassing the creation of electronic circuits and systems based on client requirements. The script mentions that the design process includes feasibility studies and prototyping, highlighting the importance of electronic design in product development.

💡Manufacturing Services

Manufacturing services are the processes and operations involved in producing goods or components. For Z-Axis, this includes the physical production of electronic designs, turning conceptual or prototype designs into finished products. The script implies that Z-Axis offers a comprehensive package from design to manufacturing, ensuring that the client's electronic product is not only conceptualized but also realized.

💡Requirements Document

A requirements document is a formal description of the goals, features, and constraints of a project. In the video, it is mentioned as the starting point for Z-Axis's design process, outlining what the client wants their product to achieve. This document is crucial as it guides the design engineers in creating a proposal that meets the client's expectations.

💡Statement of Work

A statement of work (SOW) is a formal agreement that outlines the work to be done, the responsibilities of parties involved, and the timeline for completion. The script indicates that some clients come with a detailed SOW, which helps Z-Axis understand the scope of the project and plan the design and manufacturing process accordingly.

💡Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is an evaluation of the potential for a project to succeed. In the context of the video, Z-Axis may initiate a feasibility study during the first phase of the design process to assess whether the client's product idea is viable from technical and financial perspectives. This is an important step to ensure that the project is worth pursuing before investing significant resources.

💡Prototype

A prototype is an early sample or model of a product built to test and demonstrate its feasibility. The script mentions that many projects require a basic prototype, which is an essential step in the electronic design process. It allows designers to test concepts and make adjustments before moving on to more detailed design work.

💡Block Diagram

A block diagram is a simplified visual representation of a system, where the main components are represented by blocks and their relationships are shown by lines. In the script, Z-Axis uses a block diagram to start detailed design work, with each block representing a function such as battery protection circuitry. This helps in organizing the design process and understanding the interconnections between different system components.

💡Schematic Capture

Schematic capture is the process of creating a detailed, graphical representation of an electrical circuit using computer-aided design (CAD) software. In the video, Z-Axis technicians use a software called PADS for schematic capture, which is a crucial step in translating the conceptual design into a detailed, implementable plan.

💡SPICE

SPICE is a simulation software used to analyze the behavior of electronic circuits. The script mentions that after schematic capture, Z-Axis simulates the electrical circuit using SPICE software. This simulation helps in verifying the circuit's performance and identifying any potential issues before physical construction.

💡Design Review

A design review is a formal evaluation of a design to identify flaws and ensure that all requirements are met. In the script, after the simulation is complete, a team of design engineers conducts a design review. This collaborative process is vital for improving the design and ensuring that it meets the client's specifications and expectations.

💡Sourcing Parts

Sourcing parts refers to the process of identifying, selecting, and acquiring the components needed for a project. The script highlights that sourcing parts can be time-consuming, involving the comparison of specifications, pricing, availability, and other factors. Z-Axis emphasizes the importance of making smart choices during this phase to avoid production delays.

💡Alternatives

Alternatives in the context of the script refer to the potential options or substitutions for components that may be suggested by Z-Axis during the design process. Even if the client has identified all the components needed, Z-Axis may propose alternatives to optimize the design, considering factors such as cost, availability, and performance.

💡Design Library

A design library is a collection of pre-existing designs, components, or parts that can be used in new projects. Z-Axis uses parts from their design library whenever possible, which streamlines the design process and ensures consistency and reliability. However, they also have the capability to define and add new parts as necessary, demonstrating flexibility in their approach.

Highlights

Z-axis offers electronic design and manufacturing services tailored to client requirements.

The video series outlines the electronic design process from requirements to design review.

Clients may provide a detailed requirements document or seek guidance on product functionality.

Design Engineers assist in creating a proposal with timeline, milestones, and costs based on requirements.

Feasibility studies and basic prototypes are part of the initial design phase.

Detailed design work commences with creating a block diagram representing functional components like battery protection circuitry.

Circuits for each block are designed to find the optimal solution.

Sourcing parts takes more time than circuit design due to the need to compare specifications and consider pricing and availability.

Smart design choices can prevent production delays by considering part sourcing early in the process.

Z-axis may suggest alternatives to identified components to streamline the design process.

Parts from the Z-axis design library are utilized, but new parts can also be defined and added as necessary.

Schematic capture is performed using computer-aided design software called PADS.

Electrical circuit simulation is conducted using software called SPICE after schematic capture.

A design review involves a team of engineers to identify flaws and ensure all requirements are met.

The collaborative approach of a design team is emphasized for finding and resolving issues.

The next video in the series will cover the printed circuit board layout process performed by Z-axis.

Z-axis encourages viewers to contact them for more information on their services.