Altium Case Studies Innovation and Efficiency in Design: A Case Study of Bang & Olufsen

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	Innovation and Efficiency in Design: A Case Study of Bang & Olufsen Altium

Innovation and Efficiency in Design: A Case Study of Bang & Olufsen

Altium

Technology Category	Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries Sensors - Acoustic Sensors
Applicable Industries	Electronics Retail
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Time Sensitive Networking Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Challenge	Bang & Olufsen, a renowned manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and multimedia products, faced a unique challenge in its 'ideas factory'. The 'ideas factory' is the birthplace of most of the company's electronic designs, where prototypes for the next generation of audio, visual, and mobile communication systems are created. The challenge was dealing with the multitude of options and changes that each prototype presented. Every new prototype was akin to a blank canvas, and the real test was finding the appropriate architecture for the board. Additionally, the company's unique mechanical casings presented a significant challenge for the designers. The process of changing and redesigning components, re-evaluating design media, and making trade-offs was complex and time-consuming. Read More
About Customer	Bang & Olufsen is a Danish company that was founded in 1925. It has since developed a reputation for its range of unique, high-quality audio, video, and multimedia products. The company is known for its innovative designs and commitment to quality, which is reflected in its products that dictate the new fashion in audio equipment. Bang & Olufsen employs over 2,550 people across its offices and retail stores located in over 100 countries. The company's 'ideas factory', where most of its electronic designs are born, is a testament to its commitment to innovation and creativity. Read More
Solution	The solution to Bang & Olufsen's challenge came in the form of Altium Designer, a PCB design software that introduced a 3D STEP file import function. This feature allowed the designers to view all the electronics inside its mechanical case in its final form, significantly reducing development time. Altium Designer also enabled the designers to link to external databases and draw their footprints onto the schematic. The software's integrated libraries made it easy to create unique components, which was crucial for Bang & Olufsen, given the uniqueness of their products. The unified design environment of Altium meant that changes made in a single domain would be reflected throughout the entire design, eliminating the usual re-formatting or revision problems that previously impeded development. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries

Sensors - Acoustic Sensors

Applicable Industries

Electronics

Retail

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Time Sensitive Networking

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Challenge

Bang & Olufsen, a renowned manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and multimedia products, faced a unique challenge in its 'ideas factory'. The 'ideas factory' is the birthplace of most of the company's electronic designs, where prototypes for the next generation of audio, visual, and mobile communication systems are created. The challenge was dealing with the multitude of options and changes that each prototype presented. Every new prototype was akin to a blank canvas, and the real test was finding the appropriate architecture for the board. Additionally, the company's unique mechanical casings presented a significant challenge for the designers. The process of changing and redesigning components, re-evaluating design media, and making trade-offs was complex and time-consuming.

About Customer

Bang & Olufsen is a Danish company that was founded in 1925. It has since developed a reputation for its range of unique, high-quality audio, video, and multimedia products. The company is known for its innovative designs and commitment to quality, which is reflected in its products that dictate the new fashion in audio equipment. Bang & Olufsen employs over 2,550 people across its offices and retail stores located in over 100 countries. The company's 'ideas factory', where most of its electronic designs are born, is a testament to its commitment to innovation and creativity.

Solution

The solution to Bang & Olufsen's challenge came in the form of Altium Designer, a PCB design software that introduced a 3D STEP file import function. This feature allowed the designers to view all the electronics inside its mechanical case in its final form, significantly reducing development time. Altium Designer also enabled the designers to link to external databases and draw their footprints onto the schematic. The software's integrated libraries made it easy to create unique components, which was crucial for Bang & Olufsen, given the uniqueness of their products. The unified design environment of Altium meant that changes made in a single domain would be reflected throughout the entire design, eliminating the usual re-formatting or revision problems that previously impeded development.

Impact #1	The use of Altium Designer has not only improved Bang & Olufsen's efficiency but also its ability to innovate. The software's features have allowed the company to explore concepts and freely innovate, which is crucial in a field where innovation is key. The ability to view the electronics inside its mechanical case in its final form has made the design process smoother and more efficient. The unified design environment has eliminated the usual re-formatting or revision problems, making the process of changing and redesigning components much easier. This has resulted in a more streamlined and efficient design process, allowing the company to continue producing unique and high-quality products.

Impact #1

The use of Altium Designer has not only improved Bang & Olufsen's efficiency but also its ability to innovate. The software's features have allowed the company to explore concepts and freely innovate, which is crucial in a field where innovation is key. The ability to view the electronics inside its mechanical case in its final form has made the design process smoother and more efficient. The unified design environment has eliminated the usual re-formatting or revision problems, making the process of changing and redesigning components much easier. This has resulted in a more streamlined and efficient design process, allowing the company to continue producing unique and high-quality products.

Benefit #1	Bang & Olufsen's development time was more than halved with the use of Altium Designer.
Benefit #2	The company was able to double its design throughput thanks to the software's features.

Benefit #1

Bang & Olufsen's development time was more than halved with the use of Altium Designer.

Benefit #2

The company was able to double its design throughput thanks to the software's features.

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Overview

Innovation and Efficiency in Design: A Case Study of Bang & Olufsen

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit