CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
13 March 2006
Implementation Investments
U.S. Digital To Increase Sales By 30 Percent With Interactive Online Catalog Powered By SolidWorks 3D PartStream.NET
Leading motion control product provider U.S. Digital Corporation is using SolidWorks 3D PartStream.NET® service to create an interactive online catalog that company officials expect will increase sales by 30 percent. U.S. Digital customers will be able to custom configure optical encoders, inclinometers, and other motion control devices that fit into their specific product designs in minutes rather than days.
U.S. Digital products ensure elevators stop at the correct floors, assembly plant machines accurately pick out parts in an assembly line, and overhead cameras at National Football League® games closely follow the action for the perfect view. The company had relied on word of mouth, its Web site, and a home-grown engineering Web portal for matching engineers with the parts they need. Customer demand prompted U.S. Digital to begin representing its parts in 3D, including models created in SolidWorks® software, to streamline configuration and purchasing processes. After evaluating several options, the company found 3D PartStream.NET had the best user interface, the easiest management and operation, and the flexibility to handle all file formats.
"So far, customers love 3D PartStream.NET," said Michael Grant, a mechanical engineer at U.S. Digital. "We can now give them all of the information - including 3D models or 2D drawings, accurate pricing, part numbers, and the necessary packaging - they need online. That empowerment gives customers more confidence that we're working to make their lives easier, which translates to completed sales."
To quickly meet customer demand, U.S. Digital worked with SolidWorks Corporation to begin offering downloadable 3D parts models in less than three weeks. The 3D PartStream.NET service allows customers to search for the right part based on a variety of specifications, configure it to fit their exact needs, and download a model of the part into their product designs to check form and fit. This self-configuration saves U.S. Digital engineers from spending days building custom 3D models of parts and troubleshooting design errors over the phone and via e-mail. According to Grant, the new 3D models in the online catalog enable engineers to spot design errors more quickly so they can fix them before customers notice.
U.S. Digital has also used SolidWorks CAD software to design all of its products since 1996. SolidWorks' intuitive interface enables Grant and his team to push motion control design to its limits while developing new products fast enough to meet dynamic market demands.
U.S. Digital components are available to CAD users around the world on SolidWorks' 3D ContentCentral® ( http://www.3dcontentcentral.com ) service, which provides an online directory of downloadable 3D CAD models. 3D ContentCentral is instantly available to a half million SolidWorks users via a link within the SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software window.
For more information on U.S. Digital, listen to the podcast at http://www.solidworks.com/mediapodcast . The company works with authorized SolidWorks reseller Shounco Design Studios for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About U.S. Digital
U.S. Digital Corporation designs and manufactures optical encoders, inclinometers, and motion control components. U.S. Digital was founded in 1980 in Los Alamitos, Calif. Today U.S. Digital is located in Vancouver, Wash. and continues to expand its product lines. U.S. Digital strives to build a good name by providing quality products and services; customer satisfaction is the number one priority. Visit the company's web site ( http://www.usdigital.com ).
About Shounco Design Studios
Shounco Design Studios, Inc. is a Northwest CAE/CAD/CAM company serving Oregon and Washington since 1995. With SolidWorks authorized training centers, a toll-free hotline for support, and one of the most advanced support and eLearning Web sites in the industry, Shounco Design Studios puts a heavy emphasis on supporting its customers and making their success a priority. Visit the company's Web site at http://www.shounco.com .
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