CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
26 May 2009
Implementation Investments
NKK Switches Expands 3D CAD Library for Toggle Switches and Pushbuttons
NKK Switches announced a significant expansion of its online 3D CAD switch library and configurator for a full range of NKK's product lines. NKK's 3D models benefit design engineers and allow them to download and integrate complex models into their designs at no charge. In addition, design productivity is enhanced as engineers no longer need to redraw standard parts.
NKK Switches has been working with PARTsolutions, a leading provider of digital parts management technology and services, for the past year to create 3D CAD models for the majority of the company's switches, including the popular programmable OLED switches and displays. Nearly 90 percent of the company's pushbuttons, toggle switches, rocker switches, tactiles, slides, rotaries, keylocks, tilt, surface mount and SmartSwitch product lines are available as 3D models in the catalog. CAD files for remaining products will be made available upon request.
3D CAD models are available in a variety of popular CAD file formats including Catia, I-DEAS, Inventor, Pro/Engineer, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics, as well as universal file formats such as STEP, IGES, and SAT and others.
Representing millions of viewable configurations, the catalog allows current and prospective customers to graphically configure components with the sizes, features, and colors they need. Once configured, the online library creates high quality, native CAD data -- including the accurate NKK SWITCHES part number -- which is downloaded by the developer for their designs. New switches from NKK will be added to the library as they are introduced to market.
"The completion of this 3D library represents our constant evaluation of ways to provide more value and support to our customers," said Tim Carlson, Product Specialist at NKK Switches. "Our strategy is to provide highly useful design resources for our customers including personalized support from our dedicated and experienced switch specialists."
The PARTsolutions' 3D CAD library may be accessed on the NKK website as well as various online market places including the Autodesk® Supplier Content Center, Machine Design Magazine CAD library, and others. NKK products will also be available within PARTsolutions 3D Part Catalog Management solutions, allowing NKK Switches to introduce their products to new prospects worldwide independent of the CAD technology they may be using.
About PARTsolutions LLC
PARTsolutions LLC is a leading provider of PLM solutions for next generation 3D part catalog management and hosting, delivering solutions since 1992. For large manufacturers, the PARTsolutions product suite provides centralized 3D standard part catalogs making it easy for global design teams to find, reuse, and control standard and proprietary 3D parts. For component manufacturers, the PARTsolutions product suite provides web hosting of 3D part catalogs to increase lead generation, and to ensure that components get "designed in" to OEM products. The PARTsolutions CAD-Native advantage provides support of over 85 native CAD formats to meet the needs of your multi-CAD environment or supply chain. Information about PARTsolutions can be found at http://www.partsolutions.com.
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