No 3d models = no sale

indeed there are lots of 3d model on the web site, but which components do you wnat?

its really takes time and spirit to build the model. especially complex.

Depends on the job. If I need a gear reducer with a specific ratio I will find one that I can download a 3D model. It may not be the strongest or the cheapest or the most compact but it saves me from creating a model.

but you only use it as a demonstration, not true simple. why do you need such special ratio gear?

Using the gearbox as an example;

Actually, if that gear box is only a part of a larger system. it is used only as a place holder, until the order comes through. Basically so one can design around it an have aduquate mountings and clearances for the drive components.

Thus addressing some of the problems that may arise in the design of the unit with out putting the effort into creating a model of the gearbox.

why do you need such special ratio gear?

The ratio of the gear reducer is determined by the operating speed of the equipment, the speed of the motor( hydraulic, air or electric) , any components between the output shaft of the gear reducer and the driving shaft of the equipment.

This would not be for a demonstration. This would be built.

There are hundreds of gear reducer manufacturers. As has been stated elsewhere my time is better spent designing stuff that needs to be built. Not stuff that is purchased.

Horses for courses I think.

We make 3d models of a new revolutionary product to add to our exixting line simply because it is the easiest and cheapest way to impress new buyers. This is of course taking the gamble that the new product is "worth it" as it takes anything up to a year to develop and test and make the "working" model.

All other aspects of the quoting stage is done by 3d modeling in software.

There is loads of info about it here on globalspec, try:

http://manufacturing-fabrication.globalspec.com/Industrial-Directory/3D_car_modeling

Thats more like sales or advertising. Can be effective though

still good to pick up new links or hints to new technologies. You tend to find the latest when subscribed to their new articles / product launches or just the related newsletters.

We tend to make our own solid models of a product but, if its available to download it makes our life easier. We work in Catia and there are almost no parts that are in "native Catia" Usually if we download a part we use IGES or STEP files.

Scooter

I recently was at a company that used portable compressors to power some machines (the machines were what we sold - the compressors were off-the-shelf). There are very few compressor models out there. So, I simply put all the fittings and all the gauges where they really were and then made a box big enough to actually hold the compressor and labeled it "compressor" on all sides. The customer got the best component available and, if he really wanted to see it he could have paid me to model it (he didn't).

Yes it is true - more and more manufacturing and distribution companies are realising that they should enable downloads of their CAD models from their web sites rather than hiding them away on engineering dept computers - the key benefits are that is saves design engineers time as you point out and the manufacturer/distributor gets their product locked-in ahead of the traditional buying process. It's a truly symbiotic relationship.

In addition most major CAD companies offer portals available from within their CAD systems that give access the manufacturers CAD models. e.g.

Pro/ENGINEER CAD Model Directory - http://www.catalogds.com/catalog/free3dcadmodels/caddrawings/wildfire.html
Solidworks 3DContentCentral - http://3dcontentcentral.com/3DContentCentral/
Autodesk Manufacturing Portal - http://mfgcommunity.autodesk.com/

I'm not trying to advertise but in case it helps you - several companies (including our company www.catalogdatasolutions.com) enable online modelservers and if necessary build CAD models to enable companies to achieve 3D CAD Downloads from their websites or the CAD Portals

Jeff

A simplistic rule like that does not make sense. It's easy to imagine a circumstance where a few hours or even a day of modelling time will reduce cost or enhance function well in excess of the time spent. You don't have to go all Leonardo on it- just model it sufficiently to fit it correctly in to whatever you're making.

Take a compact 90 degree NPT Street L, cut from billet instead of forged. I found the model, but if I didn't, I'd surely model it from a sketch. This part provided the best solution to make a .5M / 300 unit job go out the door, and I used 2/unit. If I found a part that would combine 2 or 3 parts and save $2 / unit, I'd sure model it. I'd break even on that job if it took a day, and chances are, I'd use it again.

Mostly small parts are easy, you have a small fitting on a large machine, simple connection, can handle as a box with some circles to use for referencing..

In my experience with learning SW, I have been trying to model the Space Frame of my Off Road Buggy during construction, I wanted to place a model of the engine in there (Toyota 4A-GE) but how do you model something like that? and the time it would take to do it, its not something you can simply drop on your desk and use a vernier to grab the measurements ;o(

I searched the Net for the model, and found that engine, I wrote off to the people who had the model as part of their "Car Project" but never got a reply ;o(

So, modeling of required parts can sometimes be easily achieved, other times you can find but cannot download, then the next other time, it doesn't exist ;o(

After I have completed the model (a year in building at the moment, as the buggy is being built from scratch and no plans) I'll jump into Blender and learn a bit about animation ;o)

I agree. Many companies have lost sales from me just because there competition had 3d models.

One company lost almost 30k in sales because the drive shafts models where proprietary info. I said I need simple models with pivot points & bolt patterns. I spend 50 hours+ designing equipment for fabrication. I don't need to be modeling part that we purchase, They didn't get the sale.

Jim C

If you want some sites that provides 3D models you can try this link:

http://www.catalogdatasolutions.com/clients.html

Hope that helps you.

I wouldn't necessarily say that I won't use a component for which the manufacturer doesn't supply a model, but if the choice is between two components that are similiar, and one offers a 3-d model, then the choice is a no brainer for me. Having a 3-d model makes such a huge difference, I will pay a higher price (within reason) for a component from a manufacturer who supplies models.

Keep this in mind, some customers would take your 3D model, because the basics are atleast there and go with thier established vendor, (with you model)

If it didn't happen to you, consider yourself lucky. weight your customers interests.

You can always give them STP files or surface models. That doesn't stop reverse engineering but it slows it way down. And, keep in mind that any decent engineer can simply buy a product and reverse engineer it that way. The answer, I think, is vigorous enforcement of intellectual property laws.

Making it difficult should do it, but enforcing it is expensive.

There was another blog about intellectual property I think you were involved in.

Yeah, I think you're right. There are a couple countries that just will not cooperate and the cost to do anything is astronomical.