Top SaaS Tool for Managing PCB Assembly Projects

Modern PCB assembly and electronics development projects require a highly structured approach to project management in order to carefully handle the technical intricacies brought about by design complexity and collaborative work environments. So the SaaS tools designed to handle these projects should help in tracking tasks, navigating complex dependencies, and provide clear communication channels across large teams, while also enabling ambitious goals to be met. But more often than not, one SaaS can’t excel in all aspects. Here are the 5 best ones in the market that excel in different categories.

Top SaaS Tools for PCB Assembly Projects

1. AutoDesk Fusion (Best for Integrating Electronic CAD and Mechanical CAD)

Formerly known as Fusion 360, AutoDesk Fusion is a comprehensive, fully cloud-based 3D modeling, PCB, CAD, CAE, and CAM platform that can be used for PCB design and manufacturing. The tool is known and widely popular for its ability to integrate electronics and mechanical design, allowing for modeling, simulation, and rendering. The tool has 4 key features, which include:

• 3D CAD and Modeling: Provides a unified 3D modeling environment (creating, simulating, and rendering) using parametric, mesh, solid, and surface modeling tools for both PCBs and their enclosures.

• PCB (Electronics) Design: Features integrated electronics design that includes schematics capturing and PCB layouts.

• Computer Aided Manufacturing: Can generate toolpaths for various fabrication methods including 3D printing and CNC machining.

• Collaboration: The tool enables teams to collaborate in real time to manage design interactions while providing automatic versioning.

2. Altium 365 (Best for DFM)

Altium 365 is specifically built to link PCB design with the manufacturing and assembly processes, and it does this by allowing engineers to connect with team members, manufacturers, and suppliers for real time design collaboration and instant component sourcing.

These capabilities are enabled by features like:

• Component Management: Provides a centralized library containing up to date component data plus supply chain information.

• Component Search: Advanced search capabilities for locating components needed on the PCB across all design views.

• Manufacturing Portal: Features a Manufacturing Package Viewer that provides a secure sharing channel of the manufacturing packages with all partners.

3. OpenBOM (Best for Supply Chain and BOM Management)

Sourcing components is a key aspect of PCB assembly, and OpenBOM is specifically designed to manage procurement and bill of materials.

The tool integrates with CAD tools like Altium 365 and AutoDesk Fusion via plugins, making it possible to synchronize PCB design data with the cloud. After completing the CAD work, OpenBOM creates a bill of materials that can be viewed in single or multi levels, and this document can be shared for real time, simultaneous editing, similar to what you get with Google Docs.

OpenBOM also automates the procuring process and synchronizes component data with any design change as it occurs in real time.

4. Cadence Pulse (Best for Process and Data Management)

Cadence Allegro Plus is designed to link up engineering and business teams to provide real time data and insights into the work in progress, as well as project status and supply chain information. This provides instant, real-time visibility into the project’s design, required components, and supply chain data to assist with decision making.

In the process of keeping tabs on all these parameters, the tool provides workflow management, where it helps to track project milestones along the way to ensure they are always on schedule, compliant with the relevant standards, and within budget.

5. EasyEDA (Best Free Tool)

Tools like Open BOM are also free, but EasyEDA stands out in this category because it provides more functionality at zero cost. For instance, it allows users to create circuit schematics, simulate them (SPICE simulation for analog and digital signals), and design circuit board layouts in an integrated workflow environment.

The tool also provides users with access to over a million free schematic symbols, 3D models, and PCB footprints, and it can generate Gerber files while exporting them directly to the JLCPCB service to order them for fabrication to begin. 

Key Features To Look For When Picking a SaaS Tool For Managing PCB Assembly Projects

PCB assembly, and manufacturing by extent, are complex processes, so the SaaS tools built to manage such projects should have these three features as the bare minimum.

• Cloud Collaboration: Allows different teams to access and work or comment on the project securely.

• Real-Time Synchronization: Ensures critical pieces of the project, such as schematics and BOM, match the designed layout in real time (zero data silos).

• Design for Manufacturability Checks: Helps to prevent fabrication issues from the design stage.

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Conclusion

These SaaS tools are mostly related to the assembly aspect of PCB projects, but companies in this field also need other SaaS tools for tasks like CRM, sales & marketing, HR, payroll, etc. As a whitelabel software provider, we can partner to help you develop SaaS solutions for this industry even if you don’t have any coding skills. Contact us to learn more about this.