July 5, 2024

Streamline Component Research with AI

Flux copilot, a hardware design assistant is responding to a user request to provide him drop-in replacement for an electronic component in his project. Behind is a complicated realistic printed circuit board.

Component selection is a tedious process. You have to identify your needs, research options, read datasheets, and make comparisons. Only then can you make a choice.

Historically, the process is scattered, with each step occurring on disparate platforms. Research happens on your browser at places like DigiKey. Reading datasheets means downloading and viewing PDFs with the software of your choice. Creating parts and drawing schematics happens in your design tool.

At Flux, we’re bridging this gap and bringing all the hardware design process under one roof. Today, we’re giving Copilot the ability to link to parts when it makes suggestions, so that your team can easily research components without having to leave the tool.

Just click the link and instantly access everything you need to know: specs, datasheets, real-time pricing, and even usable models—all within Flux.

Part Research

Learn more about part research

When your team needs to find a part for your design, Copilot is your best friend. Simply provide it with your needs, criteria, and project-specific restrictions. Then watch as it offers you multiple component options, each meeting your team’s unique needs.

Now that Copilot can link to components within its responses, your team has a new advantage. You can go from part option to part research immediately. Simply click the link on the Copilot-suggested part, and you’ll be brought to that part’s page within Flux. There, you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about the part, including performance specifications, datasheets, real-time sourcing and pricing, and even usable schematic symbols, footprints, and 3D models.

No more switching tabs and software. The entire component selection process lives in one tool, meaning your team can work quicker and more efficiently.

Part alternatives

Learn more about part alternatives

Say your team already selected a part, but you’re in need of alternative options. Maybe you need to cost-optimize your design with more affordable components. Or, maybe your part is out of stock and lead-times are months long.

Copilot shines here by leveraging its knowledge and Flux’s vast database of components to find your team the best options for your specific project. Copilot can understand your project architecture and the interplay between components within your schematic. With knowledge of that context, Copilot can find the best part alternatives that meet your needs without risking your designs functionality or performance

And, with parts linked directly in Copilot responses, you can go from searching for alternative options to designing with those alternatives in minutes. No searching DigiKey. No creating footprints or models. Follow Copilot’s link, read up on your new part, and drag and drop it directly into your design.

The Future

Imagine a world where hardware design is streamlined, intuitive, and collaborative. That's the future we're building at Flux.

Hardware design doesn’t need to be scattered, confusing, and slow. Want to learn more about how your team can 10x efficiency? Sign up for Flux today.

Profile avatar of the blog author

Jake Hertz

Jake Hertz is an Electrical Engineer who works with Flux. He has his M.S. and B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and previously worked for MakerBot Industries where he worked developing the electrical systems for next-generation 3D printers. Find him on Flux @jakehertz

Go 10x faster from idea to PCB
Work with Flux like an engineering intern—automating the grunt work, learning your standards, explaining its decisions, and checking in for feedback at key moments.
Illustration of sub-layout. Several groups of parts and traces hover above a layout.
Design PCBs with AI
Introducing a new way to work: Give Flux a job and it plans, explains, and executes workflows inside a full browser-based eCAD you can edit anytime.
Screenshot of the Flux app showing a PCB in 3D mode with collaborative cursors, a comment thread pinned on the canvas, and live pricing and availability for a part on the board.
Design PCBs with AI
Introducing a new way to work: Give Flux a job and it plans, explains, and executes workflows inside a full browser-based eCAD you can edit anytime.
Screenshot of the Flux app showing a PCB in 3D mode with collaborative cursors, a comment thread pinned on the canvas, and live pricing and availability for a part on the board.
Design PCBs with AI
Introducing a new way to work: Give Flux a job and it plans, explains, and executes workflows inside a full browser-based eCAD you can edit anytime.
Screenshot of the Flux app showing a PCB in 3D mode with collaborative cursors, a comment thread pinned on the canvas, and live pricing and availability for a part on the board.

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