Industry News
Company Offers Online 3-D CAD Models
A company specializing in miniature fluid-power devices offers downloadable 3-D CAD models of its products to registered users. Available from Beswick (Greenland, NH, USA) in IGES format at www.beswick.com, the models can be downloaded by clicking on “3-D CAD models” at the selected product page. The manufacturer also has made product searches faster and has added 200 new products to its Web site. The firm will continue to provide 2-D drawings for customers using that format.
Online Tool Simplifies Conveyor Selection
An online tool enables engineers to select conveyor systems based on specific requirements for product transport such as desired length, width, conveyor and load speed, and choice of lateral guides. Designed to operate intuitively, the conveyor configurator from Montech (Derendingen, Switzerland) reportedly allows users to minimize costs by selecting the most cost-efficient options. Located at www.montech.com, the program alerts users when systems are configured incorrectly. Conveyors can be shipped preassembled or with directions for assembly. Once a system has been selected, the user is e-mailed an order form with price information.
Report Tracks Renamed and Discontinued Plastics
An online report from IDES (Gentilly, France) tracks companies and products that have changed names. Known as “The Plastics Graveyard,” the report also monitors products and manufacturers that no longer exist or have been absorbed by other companies. Designed to minimize supply-chain disruptions for plastics professionals, the site complements the company’s Prospector search engine, which scans a database of more than 60,000 plastic materials. The report, available at www.ides.com/graveyard, also enables visitors to help keep the list current by reporting product and company changes.
Software Eases Configuration of Handling Systems
Online software is designed to facilitate the evaluation of handling systems for specific industrial applications. Known as the Easy-2-Combine configurator, the online utility from Bosch Rexroth (Lohr am Main, Germany) provides complete documentation including CAD data. The program prompts users to enter information required for design, including workspace requirements, workpiece weight, and whether rotary movements are necessary. Engineers can select the rotation angle and the maximum time per movement. In addition, a variety of grippers, linear axes, and rotary compact modules are available. Once specific parameters have been entered, the system determines that all components are compatible and meet manufacturing requirements. After completing this check, the software generates a complete parts list that includes fittings and cylinder switches. The user is given a material number to designate the handling module as either a kit with mounting parts or as a preassembled unit. The utility is located at www.boschrexroth.com/easy-2-combine/ pages/e2cStartStart.do and is available in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish.
