ProcessFlows takes on ShapeSpace UK distribution

Aimed at engineers and manufacturers, ShapeSpace's power is primarily in providing search and retrieval facilities where conventional product design systems run out of steam. Founder and CEO Dr Andrew Sherlock gives the example of its 3D search-by-shape technology, which allows designers to find and re-use components and designs, even when part numbers and names aren't known. "Opportunities are regularly missed to re-use designs or to rationalise existing parts libraries," says Sherlock. "Using ShapeSpace allows an organisation to wring more from their existing investments in product design." That's where ProcessFlows comes in: Chris Thompson, managing director of ProcessFlows, says: "All our solutions are designed to … deliver efficiencies [and] ShapeSpace bring these benefits to engineering companies. ShapeSpace also represents a fantastic opportunity for a select group of our partners to offer a step-change in 3D storage and retrieval to their customers." Thompson explains that, from his perspective, ShapeSpace integrates with all major CAD and PDM/PLM and back office systems, delivering not only the search-by-shape functionality, but also 3D visualisation with geometric search. By understanding the geometry of components, he says, the software also gives engineers and manufacturers a useful new tool to manage parts libraries – so allowing them to consolidate and rationalise parts.