Several enhancements have been made to the Digital Customer Information (DKI) system from Festo, a tool that provides extensive product information and allows for one-click ordering of standard components.
The first improvement comes in the form of a tubing selection program aimed at ensuring that customer's source the correct components they require. Simply specifying basic project parameters, such as size, physical properties and application environment, causes the tube selector to list the components appropriate for the user to select in that specific application.
Another useful function added to the expansive solution is Fluiddraw. This tool allows a user to easily compile circuit diagrams by selecting appropriate symbols from a large library and positioning them on the screen. Users can store recurring symbol combinations as macros, assign data from the digital product catalogue to selected symbols and receive a complete, itemised bill of materials.
"The Digital Customer Information System is more than just a list of products, it provides access to product descriptions, images, dimensional drawings, prices, CAD data and accessories at the click of button," says Festo technical manager, Adrian Buddingh. "Accessories are automatically included in a product selection and complete solutions are checked for accurate selection. In addition to the great convenience afforded, the system can save customers significant amounts of time. It also allows for better planning and cost estimation."
The DKI now comprises a comprehensive symbol library, symbols to DIN, easy macro creation, TIFF and DXF export of circuit diagrams, DXF import, simultaneous editing of multiple circuit diagrams, convenient printing and zoom functions, grid, clipboard support and online help. Main catalogue data can also be downloaded in easy-to-manage PDF files.
Festo believes the freely available DKI system's holistic approach allows unrivalled scope and ease of use during product selection. Users can search according to desired technical features, part numbers or simply product images and are guided by the shortest possible route to the products they need. Alternatively, a search can be made via planning and dimensioning tools or of Festo's new products. Suitable accessories can be displayed and selected at the same time to create fully operational modules.
The system can help users even before they select products. If, for example, important design-relevant parameters are not known, this is no problem. A total of seven easy-to-use planning and dimensioning, sizing and selection programs can be deployed to determine all the input variables necessary for product selection, from mass moment of inertia values through vacuum suction gripper sizes to the complete simulation of a pneumatic control chain. It is naturally also possible to transfer data from these programs automatically to the digital system.
Even after product selection, the digital system continues to provide invaluable assistance in a unique way. For almost all of Festo's 19 000 components, 2D and 3D CAD drawings are available on the CD-ROM in most of the conventional drawing file formats. This means that the customer can view products in 3D on a normal PC without requiring a sophisticated 3D modelling package. Photographs, technical data and more can be transferred directly, reliably and quickly to other design programs and used for design, sourcing and documentation purposes.
Taking the concept further, Festo's DKI System is also available on the Internet and, in the longer term, the company plans to offer all its customers who are interested in this way of working an opportunity to use an integrated electronic system to handle all their business transactions with Festo.
For Festo, an 'integrated' solution means ensuring that the facilities for the electronic handling of business transactions are supported by a user-friendly call-centre service that can clarify any unresolved commercial or technical questions.
For more information contact Adrian Buddingh, technical manager, Festo, +27 (0) 11 971 5500, [email protected], www.festo.com
| Tel: | 08600 FESTO (33786) |
| Fax: | +27 11 974 2157 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.festo.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Festo |
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