Faster designs with Bimba’s online downloadable 3D CAD models

Pneumatic cylinder and actuator manufacturer Bimba has implemented design software vendor Solidworks’ Internet technology, 3D Partstream.Net, providing 15,000 visitors to its web site with access to an electronic catalogue and downloadable 3D CAD models of its 25 major product lines. Bimba’s customers, which include manufacturers of agricultural machinery, packaging, materials handling and semiconductor equipment, can save time associated with designing components from scratch based on information found in traditional, paper catalogues. Clients visiting the website can now, within a few minutes, search for the exact pneumatic products they need, configure the components to their specifications, view 3D models for better visual understanding and download CAD files for use in their own designs. “[The software] allows us to deliver made-to-order products to our customers through an intuitive and easy to maintain website,” said Bimba’s marketing director, Bill Kokum. “By offering access to downloadable CAD models with support for all major CAD systems, we are helping our customers get to market faster while establishing a competitive advantage over other pneumatic component manufacturers.” Bimba has three manufacturing plants in Illinois USA, plus one in Peterborough, UK and another plant in Singapore.