# Altium API Deep Dive: Opening PCB Data to Developers

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-07-07
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 347
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers/

## Summary

Rob Barton, Head of Platform API at Altium, explains the evolution of Altium's programmatic access from disconnected SDKs to the new Platform API, a federated GraphQL schema exposing design data, supply chain intelligence, and manufacturing services. He demonstrates live queries for Octopart supply data (pricing, availability, RoHS compliance) and deep PCB design data (layers, nets, track coordinates) via the Altium 365 infrastructure. Barton discusses the strategic shift toward an API-first philosophy to support enterprise customization and AI agents interacting via MCP servers, noting the upcoming Altium Developer Center.

## Chapters

- [1:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=73) Introduction and Rob Barton's Background
- [6:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=391) Evolution from Disconnected SDKs to Nexar
- [13:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=784) Launch of the Platform API and Federated Model
- [20:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=1208) Demo: Octopart Supply Data Queries
- [33:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=1983) Demo: Platform API Design Data and PCB Tracks
- [40:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=2414) Library Management and Component Linking
- [44:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers#t=2653) Future Roadmap and AI Integration

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Altium 365 (product)
- Altium Designer (product)
- Nexar (product)
- Octopart (product)
- Spectra (product)
- GraphQL (tool)
- Siemens (company)
- Dassault Systèmes (company)
- Renesas (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EMS@C-LEVEL 2022 Season Episode #1 with Altium and MacroFab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-02-20-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-1-with-altium-and-macrofab) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [251. Michael Corr & Justin Sears on How Altium & Duro Are Fueling the Next Generation of Hardware Startups](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-28-251-michael-corr-justin-sears-on-how-altium-duro-are-fueling-the-next-generation) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Intelligent Routing with Sergiy Nesterenko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-04-03-intelligent-routing-with-sergiy-nesterenko) (The Amp Hour)
- [Layout Review with Zachariah Peterson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-03-11-layout-review-with-zachariah-peterson) (The Amp Hour)
- [20: Soldered Together By Monkeys](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-09-26-20-soldered-together-by-monkeys) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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