Unique, time saving access to 3-D CAD files for customers

Harnessflex, the specialist conduit system manufacturer, is offering customers unique access to 3-D CAD files of its fittings and product range, which can be imported directly into a 3D CAD system.
The files can be downloaded direct from the company's website www.harnessflex.co.uk , via a dedicated members' area. Stored as easy-to-manage zip files, they are saved in a multiplatform STP format and can be imported directly into the majority of CAD programmes, such as Pro/E Wildfire, Autodesk Inventor etc.
Explains Jon Warren, Harnessflex' Application & Design Engineer, ?Today, there is a greater demand than ever on space, particularly within a vehicle's engine compartment. Facilitating direct product input onto a customer's CAD system speeds up the design process as well as significantly helping in the level of information we are able to provide our customers.
?What the 3D drawing provides is the ability for the design engineer to drop the component file directly into a CAD system to ascertain that the components fits, both dimensionally and strategically. This not only saves time on product selection and feasibility criteria, but it also helps the customer in terms of speed and information transfer.?
There are a number of extremely crucial dimensions, not least the amount the conduit penetrates into the fitting. If a specifier were to get that wrong even by 50mm they could be significantly out in terms of the amount of flexible conduit they require on a project. By using the CAD model they can calculate this effectively, along with other product critical dimensions.
?By using conventional two-dimensional drawings it is a much longer process to assess suitability of a product and vital dimensions can easily be missed leading to costly additions to a project,? added Jon.
Harnessflex specialist conduit systems offer a high degree of protection to cables, wiring harnesses and the increasingly popular thin wall cables. In such circumstances the systems not only provide protection, but also strain relief for the harness in total. This is particularly suitable on HGVs, PSVs, trailers, diggers, tippers and agricultural vehicles.

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2 February 2008