Plastics-Specification CD-ROM Published by Rapra Technology
Described as the most comprehensive collection of plastics knowledge and information ever assembled, the KBS Plastics CD-ROM was launched recently at Interplas 96 in Birmingham, UK. The result of a two-year multiclient development project that included the collaboration of Jaguar Cars Ltd., British Telecom Laboratories, Raychem Ltd., and Phoenix AG, KBS Plastics is aimed at all industry sectors that use plastics. "It is, in effect, like having an expert consultant on CD-ROM," says Mark Gaddes, KBS business development manager for Rapra Technology Ltd. (Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK), which distributes the product through its network of agents throughout Europe.
KBS Plastics is comprised of four interactive modules. A bibliographic-abstracts database contains more than 65,000 indexed summaries of technical information covering thermoplastic materials, processes, and products. The topic base is a multimedia encyclopaedia with in-depth information on materials, properties, processes, finished products, and environmental issues. The activity modules section is composed of separate programmes that deal with material selection, design issues, mould-filling simulations, and related applications. The fourth module, a tool kit that enables the creation of a custom in-house knowledge-based system, may be one of the most valuable features of the CD-ROM, according to Gaddes. "This provides a means of integrating an organization's confidential information with KBS Plastics and preserving that information, which is often lost with the departure of key personnel," says Gaddes.
Gaddes gives one example of how a design engineer might approach a project using KBS Plastics. "He or she might initially look at SENSAN, a developing interactive programme that gives sensitivity analyses and reviews critical design issues," he says. "The programme will ask questions and, depending on the answers, point out potential problems. It will then link automatically to relevant information in the topic base. Once the engineer knows the critical issues, he can put his data into PLASCAMS, a programme that independently selects the best materials for a given application. Once the materials are known," Gaddes continues, "data on the rheological properties of a material can be determined and this in turn can be used to carry out a mould-filling analysis using FILLCALC." In addition, the user has the option of upgrading to a more advanced FILLCALC system that incorporates an IGES file converter and a sophisticated shape editor.
Rapra expects to release as many as two new versions of the product each year to subscribers. The annual rental fee of £ 3000 includes the use of a help line, training courses, and free participation in user groups. (Discounts are available to Rapra members and educational establishments.) For more information on KBS Plastics, contact Rapra Technology Ltd., Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK; phone; +44 1939 250383; fax: +44 1939 251118.
