Tired of thumbing through OEM catalogs trying to find a standard component?
InPart (Saratoga, CA), a division of Parametric Technology Corp., brings thousands of up-to-date OEM component models from numerous companies to your computer via DesignSuite, a Web-based 3D CAD library. The company acts as a clearinghouse for 3D standard mechanical and electromechanical components and their associated technical specifications. Currently DesignSuite contains more than 300,000 models from component manufacturers such as Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument, Torrington, Jergens, Molex, and Parker Hannifin.
An engineer searches by either graphic, word, manufacturer, or part number. Once she finds the desired component category, she enters specifications for a part and submits a search. DesignSuite presents her with a list of all the matching parts with their key attributes. After choosing a part, she adds it to her "part bin," along with a specified CAD format. DesignSuite customizes the chosen part to reflect individual design intent by mapping CAD preferences into the geometry. Models are customized for 22 CAD systems. The engineer then downloads the model directly into her assembly.
A single concurrent license with unlimited software installation and model downloads costs $4,999. The library can be downloaded from the Internet at www.inpart.com
