RS South Africa is celebrating 15 years of promoting innovation and supporting engineering excellence through DesignSpark, its pioneering online engineering platform. Since its launch in 2010, DesignSpark has helped members accelerate time-to-market and bring ideas to life through technical know-how, educational initiatives, design challenges and competitions. Today, it is a global engineering ecosystem comprising a global community for students, pro-creators and professional design engineers. With 1,4 million members across 193 countries, it provides various design resources, offering free access to professional-grade design tools, technical resources and a vibrant community that fuels creativity and collaboration. “DesignSpark was created to democratise engineering design and support creators of all levels, from students to professionals,” says Pete Wood, director of RS DesignSpark. “Fifteen years on, we’re proud to have built a platform that not only delivers powerful tools, but also fosters a truly collaborative and inspiring community.”
DesignSpark’s comprehensive suite of resources and solutions is tailored to meet the diverse needs of engineers across industries. From streamlined project management tools to a vibrant community platform, it empowers engineers of all skill levels to innovate, collaborate and succeed in their endeavours. A wealth of skills and learning materials is available, including tips, video tutorials, user guides and grassroots education. It features extensive 2D and 3D CAD part libraries and a product design centre, offering parts intelligence on a billion MPN part information, including compliance export, lifecycle and alternatives.
“This is all available on a free Explorer subscription plan or for low-cost subscriptions within Creator and Engineer plans, where additional benefits are unlocked in the software,” adds Wood.
In addition, DesignSpark promotes responsible engineering and societal change through its Mission Responsible and Activist Engineering programmes. Engineers are encouraged to engage in projects like the Environmental Sensor Development Kit, an open-source project developed by DesignSpark.
It supports small SMEs and OEM manufacturing companies with larger design teams across all industries, including healthcare, utilities, energy, communications, pharmaceutical, education, aerospace, defence, infrastructure, maintenance, food and beverage. “DesignSpark continues to revolutionise engineering by providing cutting-edge tools, a supportive community and educational resources, ensuring engineers can innovate and succeed across various industries,” concludes Wood.
From solar to water, onsite plants are the next big industrial resilience shift
News
South African industrial operators who secured their energy supply with onsite solar generation now face the same imperative with water. Robert Erasmus of Sanitech argues that onsite water treatment is the next essential pillar of business continuity.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Pushing engineering to the limit Technews Publishing
News
Among the many things robots can do, it’s a lot of fun to follow how fast they are. They go from the Boston Dynamics cheetah, which first reached a record-breaking speed of 45,5 km/h, to the robot Charlie ...
Read more...Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme for energy and industrial tech startups.
Read more...VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026 VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...Sustainable solutions for sugar Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG received a Special Commendation Exhibition Stand Award at the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association Congress, where it showcased an integrated turnkey drive solution designed to simplify the upgrading of ageing crushing-mill drive systems.
Read more...Measure, Manage, Maintain: The operating model behind SA’s water resilience Siemens South Africa
News
South Africa’s growing water crisis is putting pressure on infrastructure, municipalities and the economy. Siemens highlights how digital technologies, smarter operations and safe water reuse could help shift the country from crisis response towards a more resilient and sustainable water future.
Read more...VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026 VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version