- The partners are working on cloud-based digital reality solutions to contribute to a more environmentally sustainable design and manufacturing of electronics
- The developments are planned for 2023 and beyond, with initial solutions focusing on reducing electronic waste
Digital reality solutions provider Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and global software company Altium recently entered into a strategic partnership to help the design and manufacturing of electronics be more environmentally sustainable. The partnership combines Hexagon’s expertise in utilizing data from design and engineering, manufacturing and metrology with Altium’s strengths in the printed circuit board (PCB) design and electronics supply chain intelligence to help companies understand the impact of product development decisions on the sustainability of electronics and smart products.
While recognizing the significant impact that the electronics industry has on the environment, the collaborators noted that as there exist almost no solutions to manage sustainability performance across the electronics industry, their partnership aims to make positive change by introducing new tools and solutions which support the industry in becoming more sustainable.
It is learnt that the partnership will integrate Hexagon’s Nexus platform and the Altium 365 platform to address four key areas: Manufacturing sustainability, Design for sustainability, Fostering innovation, and Enterprise solutions.
The partners pointed out that the collaboration is wide-ranging, with developments planned throughout 2023 and beyond, with initial solutions focusing on reducing eWaste (electronic waste) through carbon dioxide impact tracking and recyclability improvements made available through Hexagon’s Nexus digital reality platform and the Altium 365 platform electronics product design platform that unites PCB design, MCAD, data management, and teamwork.
While congratulating Altium and Hexagon on their partnership enhancing sustainability, the president & CEO of industry standards group IPC, John Mitchell commented, “Altium’s expertise in PCB design and supply chain, combined with Hexagon’s metrology and analytics capabilities, strengthens the company’s position as a leading authority for the electronics industry on environmental sustainability and a valued partner in IPC initiatives, including our soon-to-be-announced Sustainability Leadership Council.”
Naming sustainability as a top priority for Hexagon, the chief product and technology officer of the company’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, Parth Joshi added, “We are excited to work with Altium and to be leveraging their electronics expertise and software to provide richer solutions to our customers. Together, we have a vision to change the way sustainability is viewed, implemented, and adopted in the electronics industry. We are committed to developing and implementing sustainable manufacturing processes and open digital technologies that will help our customers to address inefficiencies, reduce their carbon footprint, and adopt a circular economy.”
Chief Ecosystem Officer at Altium, Ted Pawela said, “Sustainability is a key talking point on the executive agendas of nearly every company in our industry. Our partnership with Hexagon will enable real progress in tracking and reporting – and most importantly – an improvement on the key sustainability metrics that our customers need to address. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with IPC and Hexagon to help create a more sustainable future for our industry.”
Over 30 years old San Diego-headquartered Altium, LLC is a global software company aiming to accelerate the pace of innovation through electronics. Altium delivers software to enhance the productivity of PCB designers and electrical engineers.
The industry standards group IPC is a global trade association for the PCB and electronics assembly industries. Founded in 1957, IPC is headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois. The organization is dedicated to promoting the growth and competitiveness of the electronics industry by developing and distributing technical standards, training programs, and other resources for electronics manufacturers and suppliers.
Hexagon is a leading global player in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. The company claims to put data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications. The Manufacturing Intelligence division provides solutions that use data from design and engineering, production and metrology to make manufacturing smarter.
