Empowers Designers and Breaks Down Barriers in PCB Industry

Mulino, Ore. – One year after announcing the ECOsystem concept, Sunstone Circuits, the Mulino, Ore.-based printed circuit board (PCB) prototype solutions provider, has launched the Sunstone ECOsystem^(SM) Design Environment, a one-stop resource for the necessary knowledge, capabilities and expertise needed to produce a PCB. The Sunstone ECOsystem relieves pain points and breaks down traditional barriers in the PCB prototype design, manufacture and assembly process by providing a collaborative, open environment in which any PCB designer, vendor or supplier can easily participate.

“Sunstone strives to be at the forefront of innovation and creativity in the PCB industry in order to remain the easiest PCB solutions provider to do business with,” said Terry Heilman, CEO of Sunstone Circuits. “We’ve spent the last year bringing the Sunstone ECOsystem to life. This industry-leading resource is one more step in our commitment to support designers from the time their project is conceived up until it is completed, from quote to delivery.”

Four discrete segments of PCB prototyping comprise the Sunstone ECOsystem:

• Knowledge – PCB designer expertise
• Tools – Design packages and software
• Libraries and Parts – Sourcing and tracking of PCB components
• Manufacturing – PCB manufacturing capability and expertise

These four segments of the Sunstone ECOsystem enable prototype and quickturn PCB designers to find the knowledge, vendors, tools and libraries necessary to undertake design projects and scale up to production with Sunstone’s manufacturing capabilities and partner fabrication and assembly services. Through the Sunstone ECOsystem, designers can make use of low- or no-cost design tools, thereby freeing up R&D capital equipment budget dollars for other purposes. Quality working prototypes in fewer turns and shorter time are made possible through this open environment.

One Year of Progress, More to Come Since the Sunstone ECOsystem concept was announced in early 2007, it has transitioned from a concept to a live online resource through software advancements, partnerships and continually listening to customer feedback. Progress includes:

• PCB123™ version 3.0 – By listening to customer feedback and responding to changing industry demands, Sunstone launched the next generation of its complete, complimentary circuit board design solution for the electronics design industry.
• DFM Rule Decks – During the past year, Sunstone innovated to better serve designers’ needs by releasing their own factory certified add-ons that enforce Sunstone’s manufacturing capabilities interactively inside CadSoft’s EAGLE PCB Layout™ tool and Altium Designer.
• Manufacturing Options – Sunstone forged agreements with strategic partners to streamline the entire PCB prototype production process from board design to final assembly, a move to help customers reduce costs and time to market.
• Website Redesign – Sunstone has completed initial steps to redesign its website in order to best serve customer needs. Based on customer feedback and analysis on customer behavior, Sunstone has developed a comprehensive plan for redesigning the site in 2008 to make it even more user-friendly, seamless and efficient for customers.

Consistent with our mission to be the easiest PCB company to do business with, Sunstone will continue to enhance and develop the Sunstone ECOsystem in order to bring together the necessary PCB solutions and simplify the PCB process from concept to delivery.