E-Tools make life easier for Engineers

Bosch Rexroth is now offering a comprehensive family of software Engineering Tools or E-Tools that cover virtually every type of engineering project and every project stage. Developed by engineers for engineers to save time and to simplify routine tasks, the E-Tools include packages to assist with design, installation, product selection and even on-going support. A versatile E-Tool for design is the MTpro factory layout tool, which speeds and simplifies the selection and configuration of assembly technology systems. This powerful package includes comprehensive product information, and an intuitive layout designer that generates 3D views without the need to use a CAD system. Users can save their own constructions for reuse, and the package can also generate parts lists as well as CAD models that are compatible with all popular CAD systems. Other E-Tools for the project design stage include Pneumatic Circuit Diagram Creator, which generates diagrams in compliance with industry standards; Environment Simulator, which allows automation systems to be tested independently of the machines that they are designed to control; Linear Motion Technologies Resource, which is based on Rexroth's encyclopaedic Linear Motion Handbook; and Linear Motion Designer Tool, a professional planning tool for users of linear guides. Among the many E-Tools available to aid installation is the IndraWorks planning, diagnostics and visualisation package. This comprises Cambuilder, an intuitive program for cam disk creation; VI-Composer for easy visualisation and parameterisation; and WinStudio, an intelligent program for creating graphical interfaces for HMI terminals. IndraWorks is complemented by the IndraSize drive configurator, which allows optimum drive configurations to be determined in minutes, even for complex applications. Software aids for product selection cover virtually all of the diverse range of equipment offered by Rexroth. There are, for example, guides and electronic catalogues for mobile and industrial hydraulics, pneumatics, electric drives and controls, linear motion and assembly technologies. Also available is a convenient linear motion interchange tool that converts part numbers from other suppliers to the Rexroth equivalent. For equipment that is already in service, the E-Tools for support are an invaluable resource. These include easy-to-search spare parts catalogues and technical catalogues that provide detailed information about product maintenance and use. Many of the software packages that make up the wide-ranging family of E-Tools are available for immediate download from the Rexroth website, while others, because of their complexity or other technical constraints, are supplied on CD-ROM. All of the business-ready versions of the software packages are available free of charge (except for MTpro which comes free as a trial version), and all are compatible with almost any modern PC running recent versions of Microsoft Windows.