RS Components reduces design time for engineers by publishing 30,000 3D CAD models to 14 syndicated communities and web sites

RS becomes first to offer 3D CAD models from multiple suppliers in multiple formats to 4 million potential customers

OXFORD, UK, June 20th, 2011 – RS Components (RS) the world’s largest high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products and the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), has published its 30,000 3D CAD models of components to 14 syndicated online communities and web sites for mechanical and electronic design engineers. The move gives 4 million users instant access to the fast-growing library of electronic component CAD models from RS, reducing design time and effort.

The models can be accessed in up to 30 different native file formats, making them suitable for most 3D CAD systems and eliminating the need for time-consuming model verification. The sites include the Autodesk Manufacturing Community, with 1.5 million users, TraceParts online with 870,000 users, SOLIDWORKS’ 3Dcontentcentral.com, a community of 612,000 users, and the Pro/Engineer community, covering more than 370,000 users.

All the models have RS part numbers embedded within them so the parts become automatically included in the bill-of-materials (BOM) created by many CAD systems. According to research by TraceParts, when an engineer downloads a model there is an 80% chance of the part being designed into a product. This benefits RS’s suppliers for whom the distributor provides demand creation services and the agreement will introduce hundreds of thousands of new customers to RS.

RS Components’ technical marketing manager, Mark Cundle, commented:“3D software is an increasing proportion of all electronic design being undertaken today. For example, TraceParts estimates it accounts for 70% of all design in Europe, 45% in the US and 30% in Asia. Syndicating our 3D CAD models to these sites makes it even easier for engineers to streamline their find, design-in and buy process by using RS.”

More details can be found at http://rswww.com/3d.

About RS COMPONENTS

RS Components is the world’s largest distributor of electronics and maintenance products serving 1.6 million customers worldwide. Through operations in 32 countries and 17 warehouses, the Group distributes 550,000 products ranging from semiconductors and optoelectronics to power tools and protective clothing. The product and service portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from R&D through pre-production to maintenance and repair, shipping more than 40,000 parcels on the same day the orders are received.
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year to 31 March 2011 had revenues of £1.18bn. For more information, please visit the website at www.rs-components.com.