Ferranti Technologies improves PCB design efficiency
Ferranti Technologies, a specialist, contract designer and manufacturer, has established a reputation for engineering expertise, quality and commitment
in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors.
As part of its continuous improvement activity, Ferranti Technologies replaced a range of simulation, schematic and data storage software applications with
one integrated PCB design tool.
The company, which has now standardised on Altium Designer across the 25-strong design team, believes that making the switch has helped to make its processes
both more efficient and more robust.
“We are already saving money as a result of using Altium. We used to include a component validation stage in our process to double check the information on the drawings against the database. This step is now redundant and we have been able to free-up manpower for other tasks.”
- Ben Griffin, Harware Engineering Manager, Ferranti Technologies
Seamless integration
Altium Designer is a multi-functional design tool. PCB layout, schematic, simulation and bill-of-materials (BoM) data are all seamlessly integrated into one user-friendly tool, under the direct control of the Design Engineer. Ben Griffin Hardware Engineering Manager at Ferranti Technologies said: “For the first time, designers have direct, real-time cost information for each component as it is added to the design.”
Griffin explains: “We reviewed a number of design packages including some that were highly functional and very complex. For us, the key was to find a tool that would improve productivity right across the company. It is not just about good design in isolation – it’s about producing a complete unit efficiently, reliably and profitably.”
Technical support and training
Premier EDA Solutions offered a full support program to accompany the software. Griffin said, “Premier EDA Solutions’ service has extended far beyond supplying the software and simple technical support. They have a real understanding for our needs and make appropriate recommendations. We attended an extensive training day which gave us great insight into the features and functionality of the software.”
Libraries integrated with corporate data systems
The tool is used within Ferranti Technologies’ strict Gated Project Management Process, and interfaces directly with the company’s component purchasing and stock control systems, via the Management Information Systems (MIS). Every order has a dedicated project manager who leads the team and provides the customer with a single point of contact.
Griffin said, “In the past the design engineer would create the design then pass information on to other parts of the company for component procurement, full project costing and manufacture. The Altium process starts with functional design and simulation, then moves all the way to board layout.”
The Ferranti Technologies design team is now able to select the components from a common database simply, which means they no longer have to create new parts for each design. Griffin explains, “The BoM now contains information regarding lead time and cost, enabling us to keep track of our budget as we go along, instead of having to wait for the information to come back from the purchasing team after the board has been designed.”
Because it is so easy to do, all the components for the board are now specified at design stage: right down to the varnish, polysulphide and lacing cords. Previously specification of these ‘sundries’ would be left to the drawing office. Now, the BoM is complete as soon as the board layout is done, so the process is quicker, and more efficient.
Ferranti has transferred all its component data, including its own BRISCH number system to a single access database, which interfaces directly with Altium, and with Ferranti’s MIS. In this way, price information and stock levels can be updated centrally and are available immediately across the company.
The results
“We are already saving money as a result of using Altium,” says Griffin. “We used to include a component validation stage in our process to double check the information on the drawings against the database. This step is now redundant and we have been able to free-up manpower for other tasks.”
Ferranti Technologies’ design team now has better control over component selection. Designers can see immediately if they have inadvertently chosen a component that has recently been discontinued, or is out of stock. This reduces the risk of re-design and enables the organisation to plan for production more accurately.
About Ferranti
Ferranti Technologies, provides a complete bespoke product design, build and support service to customers all over the world. The engineering team is well known for creating electronic and electromechanical products that provide highly reliable operation in harsh environments.
The Ferranti Technologies electronics design team has wide analogue, digital and power design capabilities and demanding requirements. It has designs accredited to a number of Aerospace and Defence Critical Standards including DO254, DO-178B, Def Stan 00-54, 00-55 and 00-56. “We specialise in power and control systems for harsh or difficult environments, typically for demanding defence and aerospace applications,” explains Griffin.
