The Component Search Engine is a web site that provides you with access to additional Parts in Pulsonix format. STEP models, datasheets and supplier pricing and availability information is also available with these Parts.
In addition, downloading the Library Loader (as described in the section below) allows a seamless integration between Pulsonix and the Component Search Engine web site. This enables you to download Parts and STEP models directly into your Pulsonix Libraries and onto the end of your cursor in your design, ready for placement.
If you do not wish to use the Library Loader and benefit from the tight integration, you can still access the web site, search and download Parts in Pulsonix format (.PLX), ready to be imported into your Pulsonix Libraries at a later date.
Before you start
- You will need to be running Pulsonix 9.1 Build 6869 or later to benefit from the Component Search Engine integration.
- Register an account with the Component Search Engine, you will login to retrieve required Parts.
- Download the Library Loader program to connect the Component Search Engine to Pulsonix.
- Register the Library Loader program.
Registering with Component Search Engine
To use the Component Search Engine, you first need to register an account on the Pulsonix Component Search Engine web site. Once on the site, click Register.
Downloading the Library Loader
Once registered, you now need to download the Library Loader application. The Library Loader is a background application that connects the Component Search Engine web site to Pulsonix application. This will allow downloading of Parts and STEP models directly into Pulsonix.
To download the Library Loader, first click the Downloads button at the top of the page.
Scroll down to the Library Loader, click Download and install the Library Loader.
Registering the Library Loader
Once downloaded and installed, open the Library Loader using the icon on your desktop or from the installed programs folder. You will need to register an account, you will only do this once and it will be saved with the Library Loader.
Set Your ECAD Tool to Pulsonix. Press the Update button to save and exit this dialog
Once registered, you now need to click the Settings button from the Library Loader dialog, this will open the Pulsonix Settings.
This dialog sets the library folders used in Pulsonix where the Library Loader will save Schematic Symbols, PCB Symbols, Components (Parts) and STEP Models to.
Note: you need to be using Pulsonix 9.1 (Build: 6869) onwards to have Parts automatically saved from the Component Search Engine into your Pulsonix Libraries.
Now you have set up the Library Loader, you can download Components from the Pulsonix Component Search Engine web site and they will load directly into your libraries and onto the end of your cursor ready for placement in a design.
Adding New Parts from the Component Search Engine
There are a few methods to obtaining the new Part using this feature:
- Once found and an ECAD model exists for the required Part, select the ECAD Part from the list. This takes you to the download page, select the Members - Download Here button to initiate the download.
- Once found and an ECAD model exists, you can Compare Prices, then choose the found Part and download the ECAD model using the Download ECAD Model button. This takes you to the download page, select the Members - Download Here button to initiate the download.
- If the Part is found but not ECAD mode exists for it, you can select the Build or Request button. This takes you to the Request page. From here, you can build it yourself using the online Wizard tool, or you can send a Request to have it made for you. this normally takes up to 72 hours to do.
Using the Pulsonix Component Search Engine
From the Pulsonix Component Search Engine web site, enter the name of your component or a description of it in the Search section. Once the search is complete you will see a number of columns presented including an ECAD Model, Datasheet and Pricing/Stock information for the Part from various suppliers.
Clicking the Price/Stock link will allow you to select and download the Part with pre-populated Attribute values from a specific supplier.
Clicking the Download ECAD Model button will download the model from the web site into your libraries and onto the end of your cursor ready for placement in the design. Attributes are automatically added to the Part depending on the section you download it from, therefore, if you click Download ECAD Model from RS Component, we would then also see the RS Component Part Number as an Attribute on a Component in Pulsonix.
Once the Component has been downloaded, you can investigate its Attribute Values from the Edit Component dialog in Pulsonix to see it has inherited the Attribute Values from the online model, including the Supplier name and Supplier Part number.
Controlling the Library Loader application
The Library Loader runs in the ‘background’, it has controls that allow you to Open and Exit it and some basic utilities.
Open Library Loader - selecting this option will open the Library Loader program.
Check for Update - this will take you to the Component Search Engine web site and Updates page. You will need to login to obtain the update.
Feedback - selecting this gives you the opportunity to report problems or provide feedback from the web site.
Auto Start - selecting this option will ensure the application runs in the background every time you start your PC.
Help - this is a hyperlink to help page on the component Search Engine web site.
Exit - If you close or minimise the Library Loader Application, you will notice the program still runs in the background. This ensures you can download Components from the web site without remembering to open the application each time. There may however be an occasion where you wish to close it completely, to do so, click on your windows toolbar, select the Library Loader icon, and Right Click to reveal the options for this application and select the Exit button to close the application completely.
Updating Imported Components to Company Standards
It is always worth remembering that imported components may need to be updated to your company standards. For example, this may mean adding Attributes to Parts or changing Text, Pin and Line Styles on Symbols and Footprints to be in line with your other libraries.
Supported Browsers
To use the fully integrated services between the Component Search Engine and Pulsonix, the following browsers are supported:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Apple Safari
Importing .PLX Files
If you wish to import .PLX formatted files, read about the mechanism here.
Importing Libraries to the Vault
If you have downloaded externally created library content using the Component Search Engine for example, then once the contents are in a Pulsonix library, you can then import them into the Vault. To do this, use the Import Vault Libraries option from the main Vault Manager dialog.
Related Topics
Libraries | Importing PLX Files | Technical Support Centre | Import Vault Libraries | Vault Manager