Interview with Tom Hausherr

Featured Engineer

Tom Hausherr

Tom Hausherr - EDA Library Product Manager, Systems Design Division, Mentor Graphics

Tom Hausherr has been involved in the design and development of PCB electronics since 1974. He is currently the EDA Library Product Manager for the Systems Design Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation. He has received a number of awards for his work in PCB standards development including three IPB “Awards of Excellence” and a DesignVision award in 2007 for Best New CAD Software Tool.

Before joining Mentor Graphics, Tom owned a PCB layout service bureau and was CEO, Director of Technology for PCB Matrix Corp. To date, Tom has developed more than 2000 PCB products.

What are your favorite tools that you use?

Mentor Graphics LP Wizard and PADS Layout; Camtasia, Microsoft Power Point and Word; Adobe Presenter; Skype

What is the hardest/trickiest bug you have ever fixed?

Continuously fixing 25 CAD tool interfaces for LP Wizard export. Very tricky stuff.

What is on your bookshelf?

My entire history of CAD library books by CADPRO, SMT Plus, Vern Solberg, IPC Standards, dozens of binders full of component datasheets.

Do you have any tricks up your sleeve? (special way to analyze circuits, special process you use to make something, etc.)

My biggest success secret is PCB design using millimeter units. It’s absolutely phenomenal.

What has been your favorite project?

Continuously inventing and re-inventing ways to automate CAD library part creation.

Do you have any note-worthy engineering experiences? (blowing up things, getting shocked, etc.)

It’s not cool to find software bugs when presenting your latest beta version to large audiences.

What are you currently working on?

The next generation of CAD library automation software tools.

What direction do you see your business heading in the next few years?

North

What challenges do you foresee in our industry?

Lack of implementation of world standards, particularly in CAD libraries; and transitioning to the metric measurement system. I also do not see many younger people learning PCB design layout that will replace the baby boomer crowd in the next 10 years.