Innovation and Efficiency in Design: A Case Study of Bang & Olufsen
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
About The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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