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RS DesignSpark connects a world of curious minds from all walks of life and from around the world. Join our community for free at www.designspark.com

Our award-winning software includes DesignSpark Mechanical, DesignSpark PCB and DesignSpark Electrical. Model libraries, tech updates, inspiration and learning help fire up the ordinary and ignite the extraordinary. Our purpose is to educate, influence, promote and enable engineers to design responsibly, for a better world .

04/09/2026

Want to explore the onsemi NCV8876 Automotive Start-Stop Boost Controller IC before building a physical prototype?

This DesignSpark article features a Live Virtual Evaluation Board, created by Mike Donnelly, Principal Engineer at Siemens Digital Industries Software, that can be accessed through the DesignSpark Circuit Simulator.

Engineers can modify parameters, run simulations, and observe how the NCV8876 responds to conditions such as battery voltage drop-outs and recovery, helping to build a deeper understanding of device performance and behaviour.

Explore the virtual evaluation board and try the simulations for yourself: https://weare.rs/4qKKby5

Have you used circuit simulation to reduce development time or validate a design before prototyping? Share your experience below.

03/09/2026

How can engineers confidently validate the performance and reliability of DC fast charging stations?

As EV infrastructure continues to expand, the ability to test, commission and maintain charging stations efficiently is becoming a critical part of ensuring network reliability and uptime.

In this Ask the Expert interview, Fluke's Marc Sherwood takes a closer look at the Fluke FEV500 Charge Station Analyser, a dedicated solution designed to help engineers test DC fast chargers without the need for a vehicle or external load bank.

The discussion covers:

• The challenges associated with commissioning and maintaining DC fast chargers
• How the FEV500 simulates real EV charging conditions for functional testing
• Key measurements and validation checks engineers should consider
• Supporting charger reliability targets through effective testing and diagnostics
• Practical insights into maintaining high-performance EV charging infrastructure

Whether you're involved in EV charger installation, servicing, compliance testing or infrastructure maintenance, this interview provides valuable insights into the tools and processes helping to improve charger performance and availability.

Watch the full Ask the Expert interview here: https://weare.rs/4yeztme

What testing challenges are you seeing in the EV charging sector? We'd be interested to hear your experiences in the comments.

02/09/2026

DesignSpark Mechanical 6.1 is here.

The latest release introduces a range of performance and workflow enhancements designed to help users work faster and handle complex models more efficiently.

Key updates include:
✅ Enhanced performance for large assemblies
✅ Faster face selection, move, pull, and modify operations
✅ Improved support for editing imported CAD files
✅ More robust direct modelling and Boolean operations
✅ New Ansys Stride (.stride) import and export support
✅ Additional Control Points functionality in the Measure tab

Download DesignSpark Mechanical 6.1 today and discover the latest improvements to your CAD workflow.

https://weare.rs/4pWzCb5

01/09/2026

Industrial robotics is evolving fast.

What was once focused on repetitive automation is becoming a powerful combination of robotics, AI, machine vision, edge computing and intelligent mobility.

For engineers, choosing the right robotics platform is no longer just about payload, reach and cycle times. It's about understanding how technologies such as collaborative robots, AI-driven vision systems, AMRs and Physical AI can work together to create more flexible, scalable and future-ready manufacturing environments.

Our latest guide explores:

• The rise of cobots and human-robot collaboration
• How AI and machine vision are expanding automation possibilities
• The role of NVIDIA's Physical AI vision in next-generation robotics
• How Infineon technologies support motion control, sensing and safety
• Key considerations when selecting a robotics platform and building a strong ROI case

Whether you're evaluating your first automation project or planning the next phase of a smart factory strategy, understanding today's robotics landscape is becoming increasingly important.

Read the full guide here: https://weare.rs/3SDWwYq

Which robotics trend do you think will have the biggest impact on manufacturing over the next decade: cobots, AMRs, AI-powered vision systems, or humanoid robots?

30/08/2026

Edge AI is rapidly moving from concept to real-world implementation, and its impact on IoT could be significant.

In a recent discussion with Infineon Technologies AG's Graham Smith, one theme stood out: processing AI directly on devices is enabling faster decisions, reduced latency, improved privacy, and greater energy efficiency across both industrial and consumer applications.

For engineers, the opportunity goes beyond simply connecting devices. Edge AI allows systems to analyse data and act on it locally, whether that's supporting predictive maintenance in manufacturing, optimising energy use, or enabling smarter automation.

As IoT deployments continue to grow, sending everything to the cloud is not always the most practical option. Intelligence at the edge is becoming a key part of building faster, more resilient, and more sustainable systems.

Watch the full interview to hear Graham's insights into the technologies driving Edge AI adoption and what it means for the future of connected devices: https://weare.rs/4cfEL8o

How do you see Edge AI changing the products and systems you're designing today?

29/08/2026

How can a 100mA LDO support loads of up to 3A?

This DesignSpark article by Mike Donnelly, Principal Engineers at Siemens Digital Industries Software, explores a 5V regulator circuit that achieves up to 3A load current capability using the Onsemi NCV4264 LDO and a 2N5195G PNP bypass transistor.

The article explains how the transistor shares the load, providing a significant "boost" current under heavy load conditions while maintaining an output voltage close to 5V. It also examines an electro-thermal simulation model that helps engineers understand heat transfer, thermal coupling, and junction temperature sensitivity based on PCB implementation and operating conditions.

A fascinating insight into current sharing, thermal modelling, and regulator design.

Check it out: https://weare.rs/4gXdzOX

28/08/2026

What AI Sees in Packaging That We Don't

When you're shipping thousands of orders every day, small packaging inefficiencies quickly add up. A slightly oversized box here, a little extra void fill there, and suddenly costs, waste, and transport emissions are higher than they need to be.

That's why I'm fascinated by how NVIDIA's AI technology is being applied to real-world engineering challenges like packaging optimisation.

Working with DesignSpark, NVIDIA's edge AI platform helped analyse thousands of packing scenarios and identify more efficient box configurations before orders even reached the packing station. The result? Smarter use of materials, reduced waste, and improved operational efficiency.

What stands out is that this isn't about replacing people. It's about giving teams the tools to make better decisions, faster. AI excels at spotting patterns and optimisation opportunities that are almost impossible for humans to evaluate at scale.

For engineers, it's a great example of how AI can solve practical problems, not just theoretical ones.

Sometimes innovation isn't creating something new. It's seeing opportunities that were always there.

Read the full article to learn how AI and human expertise are working together to reduce packaging waste and improve warehouse operations:
https://weare.rs/4y2Ce9T

💬 Could AI help uncover hidden inefficiencies in your industry? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

27/08/2026

DesignSpark Mechanical 6.1 Has Arrived

We're excited to announce the release of DesignSpark Mechanical 6.1, delivering a range of performance improvements and workflow enhancements to help engineers work faster, handle complex models more efficiently, and get more from their CAD experience.

What's New in Version 6.1?
Enhanced performance for large assemblies
Faster face selection, move, pull, and modify operations
Reduced delays when working with complex imported CAD models
Improved memory efficiency and lightweight geometry handling
More robust direct modelling and Boolean operations
Improved support for editing imported CAD files
New Ansys Stride (.stride) import and export support
Additional Control Points functionality in the Measure tab

For DesignSpark Engineer Subscribers, Version 6.1 also introduces the new Assembly Toolbar, providing advanced capabilities to:
Establish geometric relationships between components
Manage component hierarchies
Control degrees of freedom
Create static assemblies and dynamic moving mechanisms from individual CAD bodies

Important Notice: All legacy versions of DesignSpark Mechanical will no longer be supported after 31 October 2026. Upgrading to Version 6.1 ensures continued access to the latest performance improvements, compatibility updates, and technical support.

Upgrade today and experience the latest evolution of DesignSpark Mechanical.

https://weare.rs/458JlkZ

26/08/2026

Getting Started with Arduino UNO Q and Opta for Industrial Automation

Looking to explore the next generation of industrial automation and edge computing?

This new DesignSpark article walks through how to get started with the Arduino UNO Q and Arduino Opta PLC, demonstrating Modbus TCP communication, PLC integration, and the foundations of industrial process control applications.

Set up the new Arduino App Lab development environment
Develop across both processors with C/C++ and Python
Build a Modbus TCP client application
Connect and control an Arduino Opta PLC
Test without hardware using a Python-based Modbus server
Explore opportunities for Industrial IoT, automation, and AI-enabled control systems

The UNO Q's dual-processor architecture combines real-time control with Linux-based computing, making it a powerful platform for engineers developing Industry 4.0, automation, and edge AI solutions.

Whether you're an automation engineer, maker, or developer looking to bridge the gap between embedded systems and industrial control, this project provides a great starting point.

Read the full article: https://weare.rs/4qLlK3F

24/08/2026

Did you know that an induction motor can draw up to 8 times its rated current during startup?

That's why motor control is far more than simply turning a motor on and off. The right control strategy can reduce mechanical wear, improve energy efficiency, prevent downtime, and deliver greater process control.

In this DesignSpark article, we explore the strengths, limitations, and ideal applications for the most common motor control methods, including DOL starters, soft starters, VFDs, servo systems, and more.

If you've ever wondered:
When should you choose a Soft Starter over a VFD?
Why are servo systems essential for robotics and CNC machines?
Which solution provides the best balance between cost, torque, and efficiency?

This guide has the answers.

Read more: https://weare.rs/4gOyUcL

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