Posted to News on 10th Oct 2007, 16:39
3D CAD files for motors, gearboxes and transmissions
To help speed and simplify the design visualisation process for its customers, Rotalink is now providing an Express 3D CAD file service for application-specific assemblies of its wide range of miniature motors, encoders, gearboxes and transmission components.
After finalising the application evaluation, Rotalink aims to provide a 3D space model file within 24 hours that details all the essential mechanical and electrical interfacing information for the recommended product. The product can then be quickly assessed within the customer's CAD system and any design issues resolved as quickly as possible. 3D files include mounting holes, drive shafts, output gears, pulleys, connectors and, if necessary, application-customised features.
3D CAD software with built-in 'digital prototyping' is now commonly used for design visualisation. With savings in product development time and cost, such software is available from several companies, each with its own merits. However, while many common 'commodity' design components such as bolts and bearings are integrated with these CAD software systems, design engineers often have to spend a significant amount of time creating 3D models for specialised components such as motors and gearboxes by tediously reworking manufacturers' 2D drawings from brochures or website downloads.
The new service was introduced after several instances where Rotalink was able to quickly provide 3D CAD files specific to customers' applications by referencing its own extensive design library to compile the virtual assembly. Whereas this simple but extremely effective process may prove difficult for a distributor who must contact his component supplier or suppliers and wait for action, Rotalink's in-house design and manufacturing strengths make the process very straightforward.
Rotalink's engineering team uses Autodesk Inventor CAD software for design and production with many productivity enhancements, and is able to output 3D models in the STEP Application Protocol 203 file format, which is accepted by all major 3D CAD software systems.
ISO 9001-registered Rotalink supplies a broad range of AC, DC and stepping motors, plus gearboxes, drives, controls and power transmission equipment from its design and manufacturing facility in Crewkerne, UK.
