Technical editor Warren Webb comments on board-level embedded hardware, development tools, and software. No chips!
Advertisement
Profile
RSS Feed
-
Add this blog to your RSS newsreader!
Recent Posts
- Module merges SUMIT interface with ISM form factor
- Wireless module claims five year battery life
- VMEbus computer defies obsolescence
- Motherboards support old, new plug-ins
- Board computer features long term availability
- Rugged system-on-module supports fabric interconnects
- Prototyping kit shortens embedded schedules
- VPX computer delivers dual-core performance
- Kits add Wi-Fi to PIC microcontrollers
- COTS mezzanine module features FPGA technology
Recent Comments
- Her Coupon on Kits add Wi-Fi to PIC microcontrollers
- A level escorts London on Robot dog hauls 340 lb load across rough terrain
- Virginia Simpson on Quadrature input boards target motion control
- Marcus on Robot dog hauls 340 lb load across rough terrain
- buyvigrx on Quadrature input boards target motion control
Most Commented On
- Where are all the engineers? (20)
- Robot dog hauls 340 lb load across rough terrain (11)
- Kits add Wi-Fi to PIC microcontrollers (9)
- Need density? How about 18 processors on a blade (5)
- Read pacing boosts PCI Express performance (5)
Archives
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
By Category
- Automotive (1)
- Communication functions (6)
- Communities (1)
- Computers, boards, buses (47)
- Embedded Systems (90)
- Global (1)
- Multimedia (2)
- Power Sources/Controllers (2)
- Processors & Tools (1)
- Single-board computers (1)
- Software (22)
- Standards (3)
Applied System Design Articles
- EDN on Embedded Processing: The role of MCUs in human/machine interfaces
- “Not I,” said the rat: the tale of the Little Red Hen-gineer
- EDN on Embedded Processing: Six-core DSP stresses energy efficiency
- EDN on Embedded Processing: 'I'd like to buy a µ: The 36th annual MPU directory
- Exhibits emphasize markets and development ease
- More...
Blog
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
3D tools speed embedded development
Jun 5 2007 2:40PM | Permalink |Comments (3) |
As we all know, the circuit design is just a small part of new product development. Necessary tasks such as board layout and enclosure design seem to consume a growing portion of the design budget. To battle these rising costs, Gumstix recently released a 3D modeling environment for electronics product designers based on their line of miniature computers. The concept combines 3D Gumstix product visuals with Google SketchUp, Google 3D Warehouse, and Cadsoft's Eagle CAD software. SketchUp is a free 3D modeling program supported by libraries of electronics parts and Gumstix products in the Google 3D Warehouse. According to their press release, “The environment uses popular design tools, 3D images, and software scripts to accelerate and simplify the design and visualization of electronics products and product enclosures. These can also be used to model custom expansion boards developed in Cadsoft's Eagle CAD software.” The completed models are suitable for rapid prototyping by stereolithography or 3D printing.
Related entries in: Computers, boards, buses | Embedded Systems | Standards |
Reader Comments
at 6/21/2007 3:04:24 PM, Tony in SV said:
Note that Sketchup and Eagle are only free for non-commercial use. So, if you're going to be doing this for work, it'll cost you about $545 ($50 Eagle Light + $495 Sketchup) to $1695 ($1200 Eagle full + $495 Sketchup).
If Gumstix is serious about professional use, they should also provide 3-D CAD models in the STEP format. STEP is used for interchange by most MCAD programs (SolidWorks, Inventor, Alibre, Pro/E, etc) and by many more manufacturers (e.g. AMP provides STEP models).
And, yes, I do work with a bunch of Mechanical Engineers.
at 1/28/2008 12:49:57 PM, Seth said:
I want the details of how to translate Eagle .brd files into Sketchup files. I can not find the mentioned scripts or links...
at 9/16/2009 3:03:55 AM, DreamCat said:
then, how to?
Post a comment
About Us | Contact Us | Free Email Newsletters | Free Magazine Subscription | Advertising | 
RSS
©1997-2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy