Parker Hannifin’s new 3D CAD software package for hydraulic cylinders, which is available on a free CD-ROM or for use on-line, creates 3D cylinder models quickly and easily in a wide range of industry-standard formats, offering big savings in design time and enhancing productivity. This convenient and easy-to-use package now covers all products in the Parker Hannifin HMI, HMD and 2H ranges of 210 bar inch and metric series tie-rod cylinders.
To use the software, designers simply launch the package, which is compatible with any modern PC and, from the extensive range listed, select the 2D and 3D formats they wish to use. Next, the range of cylinders is selected in a standard browser window, and details of the required specifications are entered by, in most cases, making selections from convenient drop-down lists. Accessories can also be added at this stage.
When this step is complete, the software rapidly generates a 3D model of the specified cylinder, which is presented on the screen for verification. The model can be freely rotated and zoomed. Also provided is a bill of material for the cylinder, along with a detailed specification that can be printed for future reference.
When the designer is satisfied with the model, it can be saved or transferred directly to the 3D CAD package if the CD version of the program is being used, or downloaded if the model was generated on line. For the on-line version, users have the option of specifying ZIP compression to reduce file sizes and minimise download times.
Even for the most complicated cylinder, the complete process of data entry, modelling and, where necessary, downloading the model, takes only a few minutes - far less than carrying out the same tasks with a general-purpose modelling package. In addition, the drop-down menu arrangement used to enter the cylinder specification virtually eliminates the risk of errors.
Copies of Parker Hannifin’s 3D CAD cylinder design package on CD-ROM can be obtained from the European Product Information Centre (EPIC) Tel: 00800 27 27 53 74. email: epic@parker.com. Alternatively, the on-line version, which includes an animated demonstration run through, can be accessed at www.parker.com/euro_cylinder/v4/services/3dcad.asp.