CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
09 May 2005
Product News
Mead Boosts Web Site Traffic, Helps Customers Streamline Product Development with 3D PartStream.NET-Powered Interactive 3D Catalog
Mead Fluid Dynamics customers are accelerating product development by using the company's new 3D PartStream.NET®-enabled online catalog to quickly find and configure pneumatic components that fit their designs, SolidWorks announced today. SolidWorks' 3D PartStream.NET service lets Mead's customers find, configure, and download 3D CAD models and 2D drawings directly into their product designs, ensuring proper fit and function prior to purchasing the components. Since deploying the interactive online storefront in December, Mead has seen its 3D model and 2D drawing downloads increase by 420 percent.
For more than 60 years, Mead has developed pneumatic valve and cylinder components used in a variety of applications including industrial automation, food processing, medical research, and manufacturing. The company has specialized in providing custom pneumatic components that larger companies can't economically produce. Previously, Mead marketed its products using a static Web site with pages reproduced directly from print catalogs. Customers who wanted a product model or drawing had to wait while Mead shipped them a CD. Mead chose
3D PartStream.NET to simplify customer purchasing decisions and encourage customers to "design in" (configure and purchase) Mead products.
"Because our components are so customized, our engineers spent hours generating 3D designs for our customers to try out, and then adjusting them when customers wanted changes," said Pete Zammuto, applications engineer at Mead. "3D PartStream.NET has a quick download time so that customers can check component fit and function in seconds, not days. That reduces the engineering cost of each sale and helps close the deal."
Mead also chose 3D PartStream.NET because it allows customers to download product designs in the CAD format of their choice, so they can check compatibility without spending time and risking errors from file translation. The interactive catalog lets customers choose pneumatic components in countless variations based on such specifications as bore size and stroke.
Designing better pneumatics
Mead has also standardized on SolidWorks® 3D mechanical design software. SolidWorks' ease of use and intuitive interface allow engineers to explore more design options for new product concepts faster than its previous CAD software. This design speed helps the company quickly react to customer demands for new enhancements and stay ahead of competitors.
Mead components are available on SolidWorks' 3D ContentCentralSM ( www.3dcontentcentral.com ) Web site, an online directory of suppliers offering downloadable 3D part models to hundreds of thousands of product designers and engineers around the world. Zammuto expects 3D PartStream.NET and 3D ContentCentral to greatly increase the company's sales leads per month, while lowering cost per sales lead and increasing revenue.
Mead relies on SolidWorks reseller Computer-Aided Technology, Inc . for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
"Mead is succeeding in a fiercely competitive market by offering valve and cylinder components tailor made for individual customer needs," said Bob Noftle, general manager of 3D content solutions at SolidWorks Corporation. "3D PartStream.NET and SolidWorks software are helping Mead design better products and sell them more effectively."
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