Flux Blog

News, resources, and company updates

Simulate Circuits with a Prompt

Flux brings circuit simulation to wherever you are in the design process. Start from a prompt when you have no schematic, or let Flux analyze your existing design automatically.

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March 20, 2026
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A New Home for Open-Source Hardware

A New Home for Open-Source Hardware

We’re not just offering a tool; we're building a home where the open-source hardware community can truly flourish. Join us in this exciting journey toward a more collaborative and innovative future.

Raspberry pi logo, Aisler logo, Seeed Studio logo, Particle logo, beagleboard logo, farmbot logo, blues logo and libre solar logo.
Raspberry Pi, Aisler, Seeed Studio, Particle, Blues and more

That's where Flux for Organizations comes in, and we're thrilled to make it free for public and educational organizations. At Flux, we are deeply committed to the belief that open-source hardware will be the vanguard of global innovation. We're here to make it easier for teams worldwide to collaborate and build the future.

Centralized Resource Hub

Navigating through fragmented resources for reliable component libraries or design rules can be both time-consuming and frustrating. Flux offers a centralized resource hub that brings everything you need right to your fingertips. Component libraries, AI-driven design suggestions via Copilot—you name it, we’ve got it.

Collaboration That Just Works

Forget the days of email chains filled with zip files that make version control a living nightmare. Flux's built-in version control, Copilot Presets, and Project Templates are designed to make every design iteration transparent, accessible, and most importantly, collaborative. Learn more

A public profile page of Particle organization on Flux, showing their information and featured projects.

Community Showcases

The challenge of recruiting incredible talent for open-source projects is real. That's why your organization’s Flux profile does more than just list who's on your team. Use it to highlight community contributions, showcase public projects, and even spotlight the heroes who make your community vibrant. See example

A public profile page of Seeed Studio organization on Flux, showing their iot XIAO boards and featured projects.

Manage Project Costs with Ease

Hardware components come with real costs, which can become prohibitive especially for community-driven projects. With Flux's real-time pricing and availability features, automated email updates on component pricing, and total project cost visibility, you’ll never be in the dark. Learn more

AI Superpowers

While large hardware firms have resources that smaller, community-driven projects can only dream of, Flux levels the playing field. Our AI assistant, Copilot, brings enterprise-level capabilities right to your desktop, allowing you to compete on a much broader scale. Learn more about Flux Copilot

Free for Public and EDU Organizations

Whether you're an open-source hardware group, a manufacturer like Aisler sharing stackup templates, or a university showcasing academic projects, we support your collaborative efforts. For those in need of more privacy and customization like Weyland Yutani Megacorp, our paid organizational accounts start at just $49 per editor. Learn more about private organizations

Get Started Today

  1. Log in or sign up for Flux.
  2. Navigate to your profile menu.
  3. Select "organizations", then "create new organization"
  4. Input your details, and you're good to go.

We’re not just offering a tool; we're building a home where the open-source hardware community can truly flourish. Join us in this exciting journey toward a more collaborative and innovative future.

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October 19, 2023
Introducing Flux for Organizations: A New Way to Collaborate in Hardware

Introducing Flux for Organizations: A New Way to Collaborate in Hardware

Today, we’re taking collaboration one step further by giving hardware teams a shared virtual space that’s built for innovation. Today, we’re launching Flux for Organizations: a new way for hardware teams to collaborate.

Today, we’re taking collaboration one step further by giving hardware teams a shared virtual space that’s built for innovation. Today, we’re launching Flux for Organizations: a new way for hardware teams to collaborate.

What is Flux for Organizations?

Flux for Organizations is a new suite of capabilities designed to foster a collaborative environment across teams, large or small. At the heart of the feature are

  • Organizational Profiles: Establish a unique profile for your organization, invite team members, and create a conducive workspace for innovation. Being part of multiple organizations is now a breeze, promoting inter-team collaborations.
  • Organizational Pricing: Public and EDU organizations are totally free. If you want to keep things private, a structured pricing model starting at $49 per editor accommodates the needs of diverse organizations.

What's Inside the Organization?

Creating an Organization for your team aligns everyone, ensuring all members share the same default permissions, design rule checks, and Copilot presets for organization-centric AI-design reviews. This unlocks a new level of transparency, alignment, and ease of collaboration.

  • Public Profile Page: Showcase your organization’s innovative ventures.
  • Unlimited Project Creation: Whether public or private, your creative realm just got bigger.
  • Centralized Controls: From single sign-on (SSO) capability to centralized billing, payment, and permission control, managing your organizational account is seamless.
  • Exclusive Copilot Presets and Project Templates: Tailor AI-design reviews and project templates to your organizational needs, fostering a unique collaborative environment.

Getting Started with Flux for Organizations

Creating an organizational account is easy. Just follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Flux or Sign up for a new account
  2. Click on your profile menu at the top right
  3. In the drop down select "Organizations" > "Create an Organization"
  4. Enter your company name and details
  5. Add members by going to the “Members” tab on your organization's profile
  6. Create projects from your organization's page to make them available to your team

Check Out Orgs in Action!

Want to see a Flux Organization in action? Feel free to check out some of our favorite Flux Organization profiles here:

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October 19, 2023
Raspberry Pi Pico Schematic in 20 minutes using Flux Copilot

Raspberry Pi Pico Schematic in 20 minutes using Flux Copilot

Imagine designing a PCB in a third less time than you're used to - that's the power of Flux Copilot's new upgrade, allowing it to wire components together for you. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the important workflows and example prompts to help you design a Raspberry-Pi-Pico-like board in 20 minutes.

To put this new feature to the test, we revisited a recent project where we designed a Raspberry-Pi-Pico-like schematic using only AI. Initially, it took us 30 minutes to complete the design using Flux Copilot's advice. With Copilot taking the lead on making connections, the same schematic design was completed in just 20 minutes!

In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the important workflows and example prompts to help you design a Raspberry-Pi-Pico-like board in 20 minutes. Curious about the end result? Take a look at the finished project here.

Using the New Flux Copilot in Your PCB Design Process

Using generative AI for PCB design means working at the very edge of current possibilities. This requires a few workflow adjustments to get the most out of it. These are some of the principles we found work particularly well, but we can't wait to hear what you come up with. Let us know in Slack!

Your input and interactions play a significant role in getting the most out of Copilot. Be clear and precise with your objectives, don't hesitate to explore different suggestions, and feel free to give feedback with a thumbs up. We compiled a list of useful prompts if you want to learn more about what Copilot can do.

Go from general to specific. It's much easier to get precise responses when Copilot is provided with more details. You can get those details by first asking more broad questions and use Copilot's response to ask a more detailed question. When you're confident about Copilot's reponse, use the "Take action"button to have Copilot wire the schematics for you.

Use Copilot as a teammate. Depending on the question, it might take Copilot a few seconds to reply. Use that time to focus on other areas of the design, Copilot can answer several questions in parallel.

Without further ado, let's dive into the prompts that made this project happen:.

Identify Required Components

At the start of your project, you'll need to identify the necessary components. This is a good opportunity to ask more general questions at first and start narrowing down the scope of the project.

For a Raspberry Pi Pico-like board, your interaction with Copilot might look like this:

@copilot what is the minimum set of components I need to make a Raspberry Pi Pico-like board?

Minimize Datasheet Reading

Having to sift through datasheets consumes a significant amount of time.

When you find a part in the library that you think might for your design, ask Copilot to verify:

@copilot does this LDO work for powering the RP2040?

If you're not familiar with some of the ICs in your design, you can ask Copilot what other components are required or what a pin is used for:

@copilot how should I connect the shield pin?@copilot what else do I need for the oscillator?@copilot what decoupling capacitors do I need for the RP2040?

Have Copilot Take Action

Copilot can do the wiring for you and save you precious time. Before you ask Copilot to take action, make sure you provide it with as much information as you can. If a component can be connected in multiple ways (as a flash memory to the RP2040), state your goals clearly.

@copilot how do I connect this flash memory to the RP2040? I want to make sure I can boot from it.

If you take a close look at the final project, you'll notice that these patterns repeat over and over on the different elements. Once you get familiar with this workflow, you'll be designing at a speed only big teams were able to accomplish in the past.

Towards a More Efficient PCB Design Process

It's an exciting time for PCB design. With this new feature of Flux Copilot, we're not just accelerating the design process but also opening up new possibilities for creativity and innovation. It's like having a skilled coworker by your side, ready to tackle the complex parts so you can focus on the big picture.

We're eager to see what amazing designs you'll create with Flux Copilot. This is just the beginning of a fascinating journey toward a future where AI assists in creating, imagining, and realizing incredible hardware designs. And we're thrilled to be on this journey with you.

Happy designing!

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June 27, 2023
A Flux Birthday Special: A Look Back at Four Years of Flux

A Flux Birthday Special: A Look Back at Four Years of Flux

In 2019, we scratched our heads at the current state of hardware tools. Why did they look like they were designed in the 1980s? Ohhhh they were. We asked ourselves... what if we started from scratch? What if designing hardware was seamless, intuitive, even delightful? What if we could automate all the mundane work? That was our dream.

In 2019, we scratched our heads at the current state of hardware tools. Why did they look like they were designed in the 1980s? Ohhhh they were. 😬

We asked ourselves... what if we started from scratch? What if designing hardware was seamless, intuitive, even delightful? What if we could automate all the mundane work? That was our dream.

Fast forward three years, and boom! We opened up to everyone. Since then, the numbers have been wild. Over 100,000 of you have joined, creating a whopping 177,000 projects! And shout out to the 3,200 businesses riding this wave with us. We've even got PCBs designed in Flux going to space soon! 🚀

Let’s take a look back at some of the company’s major highlights that you helped us fulfill!

Milestone #1: Emerging From Private Beta

From the very beginning, we always knew that Flux was only going to be as successful as the community that we built around it. That’s why we started with a private beta: so that we could build a tight-knit community of people who shared the same vision as us as we grew the product. If it weren’t for that group of beta users in the very beginning, we would not be here with you today.

In February 2023, we took our next big step when we emerged from private beta. For the first time ever, anyone in the world was able to test out Flux, and the response was overwhelming. This was our first major step towards our ultimate goal of truly democratizing hardware design for everyone.

Milestone #2: From World’s First AI PCB Design Assistant to Generative AI

We’ve always sought to take the “hard” out of hardware, and it was obvious that existing tools came up short of that vision. We knew we had to think bigger, which is why we came up with Flux Copilot: the industry’s first and only AI PCB design assistant.

When we introduced Copilot, its capabilities were unprecedented, and the response from YOU was fantastic. Over 15,000 users have now worked with Copilot, and it’s tackled a whopping 130,000 questions.

But we didn't stop there. Copilot evolved to not just provide feedback but to take action for you. With Copilot’s ability to wire up schematics for you, users were finally able to avoid the tedium of wiring schematics and spend more time on what really matters. We want to put the magic back in hardware design, and generative AI with Copilot has been one huge step toward that goal.

Milestone #3: Let's Celebrate With Our Users

Meet Gerald, a software engineer behind Vendo King Manila, a vending machine business in the Philippines. Before Flux, he struggled with jumbled boards and too many jumper wires. With no prior PCB design experience, Gerald dived into Flux and crafted his own board. He says, “With Flux, I made our PCB easily. No more wire mess or production problems!” That's a big win! 🚀

Left: a circuit board with messy wires using a breadboard. Right: Clean printed circuit board with organized connections through PCB traces.

Then there's Robert, a software engineer who loves computers, old-school games, web development, and 3D printing. He's the guy behind ControllerAdapter.com, making cool stuff for game controller fans. Thanks to Flux, Robert easily designs and shares his creations.

Side by side comparison of a SNES controller board. On the left, its PCB 3D view made with Flux and on the right, its finished manufactured look.

The Best Has Yet to Come

Looking back at the last four years, it’s amazing to see how far this community has come together.

While what we’ve done has been transformative, what’s really exciting are the infinite possibilities that lie ahead of us. We’re currently exploring the very edge of AI's capabilities in hardware design, and who better to do it with than our incredible community?

We have some exciting things planned for the future, and one thing is for sure: the best has yet to come.

Help us spread the word

If you want to help Flux continue to grow and change hardware design, tell your friends about us! Let them know about Flux and encourage them to sign up and get involved.

  1. Like and comment on the Facebook Post
  2. Reshare the Linkedin Post
  3. Retweet the Twitter Post
  4. Like and comment on the Instagram Post
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October 4, 2023
Ditch Datasheets with this Flux Copilot Upgrade

Ditch Datasheets with this Flux Copilot Upgrade

Today, we're proud to announce a significant upgrade to Flux Copilot: Copilot can now understand datasheets and reference them in its responses. This means you get more accurate responses when asking Copilot questions about specific parts. This enables you to directly utilize the wealth of data often hidden in the layers of these dense technical documents.

Enhanced Accuracy

Copilot now offers unprecedented precision by incorporating information from datasheets. This enables you to directly utilize the wealth of data often hidden in the layers of these dense technical documents. Here’s some of our favorite use cases:

@copilot What is the power consumption of the ESP32 in sleep mode?
@copilot What's the power-up sequence for the PMIC in U1?
@copilot How do I configure an interrupt on a pin for U4?
@copilot What is the maximum frequency I can reach without an external crystal on U6?
@copilot What are some layout recommendations I need to follow for IC3?
@copilot What’s the voltage range for vddio on U4?
@copilot Can U2 withstand intense operating temperature even without heatsink?

Check out our full list of our favorite Copilot Prompts to get more ideas!

Increased Transparency

Copilot now gives you more transparency about where it gets its information from. Instead of just giving you an answer, Copilot now cites its sources.

We believe transparency is key to enhancing trust and confidence in AI technologies. Now, when Copilot pulls information from a datasheet it directly cites that source in the response. This feature allows you to verify the accuracy of the information provided, tracing it back to the original context in just a click.

By including the source of information directly in Copilot's response, we provide a clear, traceable path back to the original document. This heightened transparency gives you the confidence to trust Copilot's responses and the ability to dive deeper into the source material whenever you choose.

Copilot is also your Flux tutor

With this update also comes the ability for Copilot answer questions about how to use Flux by referencing our documentation. So, instead of getting stuck and searching documentation, you can stay in the flow and get the help you need without leaving your project! Now you can ask questions like:

@copilot I want to put custom silkscreen on my PCB. How would I do that?
@copilot I can't find part on the library what do I do?
@copilot How do I start a simulation?

Go Out There and Change the World!

At Flux, our goal has always been to empower the masses by making hardware design more accessible to all. With this newest update to Copilot, you now have greater accuracy, transparency, and control over your AI design assistant, and the sky is the limit!

If you want to learn more about Copilot and how to use it, reach out to us on Slack, or check out any of these resources:

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July 26, 2023
Parallel and Series Resistor Calculator

Parallel and Series Resistor Calculator

Effortlessly calculate parallel and series resistor values with our accurate, user-friendly tool designed to optimize circuit performance and streamline electrical design processes.

💡 Did you know that one of the capabilities of Flux Copilot, an AI powered hardware design assistant is its ability to calculate the total resistance between any two points in your schematic diagram? You can effortlessly determine the overall resistance, making complex calculations a breeze. Try Flux now, and best of all, it's completely free!

This means you don't need to do any calculations or formula anymore. Through a simple chat interface, just simply ask Copilot,

"@copilot what is the total resistance across terminal 1 and terminal 2?"

and wait a moment for Flux Copilot to response with the calculated total resistance value. It can even determine series or/and parallel resistor configuration automatically. It's like your holding a physical ohm meter and reading the actual resistance of a circuit. See it for yourself!

Understanding Parallel and Series Resistor Configurations

As electronics enthusiasts and professionals, we are always on the lookout for tools that can streamline our design process and improve our understanding of circuit behavior. The parallel and series resistor calculator is one such indispensable tool that enables efficient and accurate analysis of resistor networks. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the concept of parallel and series resistors, the importance of resistor calculators, and the benefits they provide.

Parallel Resistors

Parallel resistors refer to resistors connected end-to-end, sharing the same voltage across their terminals. When resistors are connected in parallel, their combined resistance is less than the smallest individual resistor's value.

The total resistance in a parallel configuration is given by the formula:

1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn

Series Resistors

Series resistors are connected in a way that the end terminal of one resistor is connected to the starting terminal of the next resistor. In series configuration, the current flows sequentially through each resistor, and there is only one current path through the entire resistor network. The resistors should beconnected end-to-end, with no junction points or branches between them. Worth noting that same current flows through each resistor in this configuration, and the voltage drop across each resistor is proportional to its resistance.

The total resistance in a series configuration is simply the sum of the individual resistances:

R_total = R1 + R2 + ... + Rn

The Need for Parallel and Series Resistor Calculators

Manual calculations can be tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone, particularly when dealing with multiple resistors or complex circuits. This is where parallel and series resistor calculators come into play, offering valuable benefits such as:

  • Simplified and accurate calculations
  • Time and effort savings
  • Enhanced circuit analysis
  • Reduced risk of design errors

How Parallel and Series Resistor Calculators Work

Parallel and series resistor calculators are designed to provide quick and accurate results for resistor networks. These calculators generally include the following features:

  • User-friendly interfaces for entering resistor values
  • Options for selecting parallel or series configuration
  • Auto-calculation of total resistance
  • Conversion between different units (e.g., ohms, kilohms, or megaohms)

Applications of Parallel and Series Resistor Calculators

These resistor calculators are valuable tools for professionals and hobbyists alike. Some common applications include:

  • Circuit design and analysis
  • Troubleshooting existing circuits
  • Component selection for specific resistance values
  • Educational purposes (e.g., teaching and learning about resistor networks)

Parallel and series resistor calculators are essential tools for anyone working with electronic circuits. They simplify calculations, save time and effort, and reduce the risk of design errors. By understanding their significance and choosing the right calculator, you can ensure that your projects run smoothly and efficiently. So, go ahead and harness the power of these indispensable tools to elevate your circuit design skills to new heights.

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April 19, 2023