# CAD programs, Systems Design and Renewable Energy

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2010-11-30
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 19
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-19-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy/

## Summary

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the evolution of CAD tools, contrasting low-end packages like Google SketchUp and Eagle with high-end system design tools like LabVIEW and MATLAB. They critique Eagle's restrictive pricing and board size limits, arguing it forces hobbyists into expensive tiers, while praising the accessibility of tools like E-Machine Shop. The conversation shifts to career advice, debating the value of generalist skills versus specialization in PCB design, and touches on the political drivers behind renewable energy investments in Israel.

## Chapters

- [0:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=27) Introduction: Chris Gammell and Dave Jones
- [3:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=234) CAD Tools: Google SketchUp, Pinoco, and E-Machine Shop
- [9:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=597) System Level Design: LabVIEW, MATLAB, and Abstraction
- [13:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=807) Career Advice: Generalist vs. Specialist Engineers
- [23:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=1416) Eagle PCB Pricing Critique and Licensing Issues
- [34:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=2066) Jerry Ellsworth's Science Projects and Body Scanner
- [45:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=2707) Kronos Watch, Gesture Interfaces, and Medical Electronics
- [53:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-11-30-cad-programs-systems-design-and-renewable-energy#t=3236) Renewable Energy: Israel's Solar Thermal and Molten Salt Storage

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Google SketchUp (tool)
- Pinoco (company)
- E-Machine Shop (company)
- MakerBot (company)
- LabVIEW (tool)
- MATLAB (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Altium Designer (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Pro-E (tool)
- Kronos Watch (product)
- DesignSpark PCB (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 035: 47,793 unread messages](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-09-04-episode-035-47-793-unread-messages) (Making It)
- [S5E50 Roopinder Tara | Timing, FEA, & the Beginning of CAD](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-12-13-s5e50-roopinder-tara-timing-fea-the-beginning-of-cad) (Being an Engineer)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)
- [14: Top Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-06-24-14-top-tools) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Episode 124: The Cloud.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-06-16-episode-124-the-cloud) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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