Discover how Autodesk Fusion and the Avnet add-in streamline electronics design with real-time data, seamless collaboration, and BOM optimization.

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Bringing innovative products to market requires more than just great ideas—it demands seamless collaboration, real-time data, and tools that bridge the gap between design and manufacturing. Autodesk Fusion, enhanced by the Avnet add-in, is redefining how engineers and product teams tackle the electronics lifecycle, from concept to production.

Understanding industry pressures

Electronics design faces unprecedented challenges:

• Rapid technology changes mean parts can become obsolete quickly.
• Supply chain disruptions can make once-available components hard to source.
• Cost and time pressures require teams to hit aggressive targets for price and market launch.

To succeed, teams need solutions that help them design with flexibility, ensure supply chain resilience, and optimize for cost and availability—all while accelerating time to market.

The power of Fusion and Avnet

Fusion, combined with the Avnet add-in, offers a unified platform where mechanical and electronics engineers can collaborate in real time. Here’s how this ecosystem transforms the electronics lifecycle:

1. Seamless collaboration

Fusion enables both mechanical and electronics teams to work on the same platform. Mechanical designs, such as housings and assemblies, can link directly to electronic schematics and PCB layouts. This eliminates the need for exporting, importing, or emailing files—everyone works from a single source of truth.

2. Accelerated concept phase

The Avnet add-in provides access to a curated library of reference designs and building blocks. Instead of starting from scratch, engineers can leverage proven schematics and modules, dramatically reducing the time needed to move from concept to prototype.

3. Real-time component data

Selecting the right components is critical. The Avnet add-in delivers real-time data on parts, including:

• Pricing and availability
• Lead times and market trends
• Datasheets, symbols, footprints, and 3D models

This empowers engineers to make informed decisions early, avoiding costly redesigns due to unavailable or obsolete parts.

4. Bill of Materials (BOM) optimization

Fusion and Avnet streamline BOM management. Users can:

• Instantly generate and review BOMs
• Identify cost drivers and find lower-cost alternatives
• Analyze country of origin and tariff implications
• Request special pricing or support directly from Avnet within the app

5. Iterative design and rapid updates

Design changes—such as resizing a PCB or repositioning components—instantly reflect across the team. Parametric modeling in Fusion allows for quick adjustments, ensuring that mechanical and electronic constraints are always aligned.

6. Remote and global collaboration

Fusion’s cloud-based environment means teams can collaborate from anywhere in the world. Changes are tracked, and everyone has access to the latest design data, supporting distributed teams and remote work.

A real-world example: Designing a power bank

Imagine designing a consumer power bank:

• The mechanical engineer creates the housing and battery compartment in Fusion.
• The electronics team starts with a blank schematic, then pulls in a reference design for a USB-C power bank from the Avnet library.
• Components are selected based on real-time data, with alternatives and cost optimizations explored directly in the BOM.
• Mechanical and electronic designs are integrated, with cutouts and placements adjusted collaboratively.
• The team reviews supply chain risks, lead times, and tariffs, planning ahead to ensure production targets are met.

All of this happens within Fusion, with no need for file transfers or manual updates.

Getting started

• The Avnet add-in for Fusion is free and available from the Autodesk App Store.
• Explore the add-in’s website for tutorials, videos, and detailed guides.
• Additional resources, including partnership landing pages and recorded classes, provide deeper dives into best practices and advanced workflows.

Whether you’re a mechanical engineer, electronics designer, or product manager, these tools empower you to innovate faster, reduce risk, and bring better products to market.

Check out this on-demand webinar to see how Fusion and Avnet help to simplify complex electronics design and manufacturing workflows.