The program includes the addition of 3D Modeling Capabilities as well as all new cartridge valve products and an update to the pricing library.

Hydraforce announces the release of the updated HydraForce i-Design v3.0 circuit design. The program includes the addition of 3D Modeling Capabilities as well as all new cartridge valve products and an update to the pricing library.

In addition several user enhancements are included to greatly improve function and convenience. Below is a summary of the major changes.

Manifold Pricing: The manifold pricing calculator has been enhanced to more accurately reflect actual feature cost. Rather than using average costs for a given cavity configuration, a formula has been built into the tool which accounts for complexity, material size, machining time, etc.

For instance, large circuits with a substantial mix of small and large cavities increase machining time. Where valves or port connections are all located on a common side, both material and cross drilling requirements are increased. The manifold price created by the new tool includes a costing factor for these and other special layout requirements.

Improved Features

3D Manifold Tool: Allows you to build and view a personalized manifold in real-time, with a rotatable view using 3D models of the actual valves used to create your system schematic.

Interference & Transparent Viewers: Of both the 2D and 3D manifold layouts have been added to assist in the proper placement of manifold components and to allow you to view potential valve placement interferences and discrepancies before submitting the manifold project.

New Price Wizard: Gives you the real-time update of manifold cost without having to generate a report (for customers with price list access only).

The Project Explorer Menu has been upgraded to allow you to reposition it so that it does not interfere with your viewing of the main screen.

The Project Explorer Menu: Has been upgraded to allow you to reposition it so that it does not interfere with your viewing of the menu.

A Manifold Sizing Wizard: Has been added which allows you to estimate the size of your block once all of the components and ports have been positioned. This gives the circuit designer the freedom to accurately manipulate the manifold design with the customer prior to submitting it to HydraForce. This new feature will reduce the number of approval drawing iterations, therefore reducing the leadtime of prototype manifolds.

Enhanced Component Placement: Features have been added which allow you to flag and pin components to a particular face or surface of a manifold.

Other Enhancements: Have been added such as improved graphics, a counterbore depth and diameter tool, and component preferential location, angle and surface selection menus.

System Requirements:

• Windows XP or Vista.
• 1Ghz processor.
• 28MB of RAM + requirements for XP (128MB) or + requirements for Vista (1GB).
• 460MB of hard disk space.
• 128MB of graphics memory minimum.

Backward Compatibility: Please note that the new version 3.0 software will not be backward compatible; therefore if a project is modifi ed in 3.0 or created in 3.0, then a user with version 2.0 will not be able to view the project. However, version 3.0 will read and convert v2.0 projects into a 3D environment.

For more information visit www.hydraforce.com