PTC connects Onshape and Altium for design collaboration

Key Takeaways

• PTC integrates Onshape and Altium for seamless design collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineering teams
• The Onshape Altium Connector enables real-time synchronization of printed circuit board designs and mechanical designs
• The connector operates in the cloud, eliminating the need for file conversions, downloads, or manual data transfers
• It allows teams to identify design issues earlier, reducing the need for later-stage changes
• The connector provides version control, with electrical history maintained in Altium and mechanical history maintained in Onshape

Introduction to the Onshape Altium Connector

PTC has announced a new integration between its cloud-native Onshape CAD and product data management (PDM) platform and Altium, a leading provider of electronic design automation software. This integration enables electrical and mechanical engineering teams to collaborate more effectively by bringing printed circuit board (PCB) designs into Onshape and keeping changes synchronized across both platforms.

Benefits of the Onshape Altium Connector

The Onshape Altium Connector offers several benefits, including:

Cloud-Based Collaboration

The connector operates in the cloud, eliminating the need for file conversions, downloads, or manual data transfers. This enables teams to review PCB designs in Onshape, evaluate fit earlier, and follow design changes as work progresses.

Design Alignment and Version Control

The connector keeps electrical and mechanical designs aligned by reflecting changes made in either platform in the other. It also includes version control, with electrical history maintained in Altium and mechanical history maintained in Onshape, while both remain connected in real-time.

Comparison of Onshape and Altium

The Intelligent Product Lifecycle

With the Onshape Altium Connector, PTC is continuing its work on the Intelligent Product Lifecycle, an approach that aims to help manufacturers and product companies build a product data foundation, use that data across the enterprise, and support AI-driven initiatives. By leveraging product data, companies can manage product complexity, support regulatory and compliance requirements, and improve product development processes.

Bottom Line

The integration of Onshape and Altium is a significant step forward for design collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineering teams. The Onshape Altium Connector enables real-time synchronization of PCB designs and mechanical designs, reducing the need for manual data transfers and later-stage changes. With its cloud-based collaboration, design alignment, and version control features, the connector is an essential tool for companies looking to improve their product development processes and support AI-driven initiatives. By adopting the Onshape Altium Connector, companies can streamline their design collaboration and improve their overall product development efficiency.