ENTERTAINMENT

One of the largest suppliers of automation systems and components that drive the world's manufacturing plants is increasing sales with an interactive online catalog using SolidWorks Corporation's 3D PartStream.NET service. Bosch Rexroth Corporation's Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies Group has also increased Web site traffic and sales leads by offering customers 3D models of machines, components, and systems that they can download into their own designs to ensure precise fit and operation. A U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based Bosch Rexroth AG, Bosch Rexroth, Corp. supplies a range of drive, control, and motion technologies to Fortune 500 companies such as Ford, IBM, Procter & Gamble, Caterpillar, and Phillips. Its products range from simple manual assembly workstations in manufacturing plants to linear motion components inside sophisticated cancer treatment equipment, and cater to a variety of industries such as machine tool, automation, packaging, semiconductor, medical, automotive, and material handling. The Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies Group chose 3D PartStream.NET because it has the flexibility to allow customers to download 3D models in the file format of their choice - including SolidWorks models, which many customers requested. "Some of our customers are systems integrators helping global manufacturers build new plants or enhance existing ones," said Kevin Gingerich, director of marketing at Bosch Rexroth, Corp. "So if they're trying to add automated station robots or some other sophisticated process, they need to know exactly how everything fits together. 3D PartStream.NET lets them be certain of zero tolerance fits before purchasing and ordering begins." After deploying 3D PartStream.NET last April, year-to-date sales on the company's newly redesigned e-commerce site have jumped 40 percent, and the number of leads has increased by 25 percent, according to Gingerich. The company recorded 1,800 transactions (views, configurations, and downloads) involving 3D models in the first week the new service was available. Gingerich attributes some of that momentum to SolidWorks' 3D ContentCentralSM service, which provides an online directory of downloadable 3D CAD models. 3D ContentCentral is instantly available to 430,000 SolidWorks users worldwide via a link within the SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software window. "We are getting quadruple the traffic from 3D ContentCentral that we expected, and the 3D PartStream.NET content has reinvigorated the CAD information on our e-commerce site so that we are generating more sales than before," said Gingerich. "Bosch Rexroth is a market leader that isn't satisfied to rest on its laurels," said Bob Noftle, general manager of 3D content solutions at SolidWorks Corporation. "It responded to mounting customer demand for an online catalog with the flexibility to let users download 3D models in the format of their choice. That strategy will further cement its market leadership."