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Product category: Infrastructure and CAD Software
News Release from: SolidWorks Corporation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 07 September 2005

Universal Air Filter increased online
traffic

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Universal Air Filter is using the SolidWorks 3D PartStream.NET service to create an interactive online storefront.

Universal Air Filter is using the SolidWorks 3D PartStream.NET service to create an interactive online storefront to increase sales of its electronics air filters it offers to companies like Cisco, Lucent, Avaya, and others The 3D PartStream.NET service lets Universal's customers configure, view, and download 3D CAD models and 2D drawings of the air filter they'll need into their product design to ensure proper fit and performance

To increase marketing exposure and sales, Universal developed an interactive online storefront featuring 3D PartStream.NET, which allows customers to download precise CAD models in the 3D format of their choice.

The top two reasons for electronics system failure is temperature and contamination from the forced air of cooling fans.

Sauget, Ill.-based Universal Air Filter makes filters that remove tiny dust particles and other debris blown through fans used to cool electronic equipment.

Each of its filters must fit the exact specifications of every customer's electronic assembly.

Downloading detailed 3D models of Universal's line of filters makes it possible for designers to accurately size and configure the proper filter for their particular application.

"Previously, our engineers had to spend a lot of time working one-on-one with customers to configure filters for unique applications," said Dan Krupp, Universal Air Filter's director of sales and engineering.

"3D PartStream.NET lets customers configure the filters themselves, so they can find the part they need faster, while freeing our engineers to focus on customer contacts and product line expansion".

"This self-configuration capability reinforces our filter engineering credibility, increases Web site traffic, and generates more sales".

In the first few months of using 3D PartStream.NET, Universal has seen Web site traffic increase 30 percent, and customers are reporting 60-day decreases in design cycles because they are reducing the number of custom sample iterations required for their product development.

Filter fit checks and tolerance stack-ups using downloaded 3D models allow customers to leap directly into the pre-production phase.

Air filter designs are often compatible with electronics enclosures for the first prototype run, ultimately saving time and money.

Universal also chose 3D PartStream.NET because of its integration with SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software.

The company standardized on SolidWorks to switch from 2D drawings to 3D solid modeling, which reduces product development time.

Loading new product designs onto the online catalog requires just a few mouse clicks.

Universal components are available to CAD users around the world via SolidWorks' 3D ContentCentralSM service (www.3dcontentcentral.com), which offers an online directory of downloadable 3D CAD models.

3D ContentCentral is embedded within the SolidWorks design software, making it instantly available to more than 420,000 SolidWorks users worldwide.

Krupp expects the new 3D content and the increased visibility on 3D ContentCentral to greatly increase the company's sales leads per month, while lowering cost per sales lead and increasing revenue.

"Universal was the first and only air filter company to meet the telecom industry's stringent safety and reliability requirements," said Bob Noftle, general manager of 3D content solutions at SolidWorks Corporation.

"But building on that cachet and efficiently marketing its filters requires a catalog that gives customers control over how to configure the part they need".

"With 3D PartStream.NET, Universal has created more opportunities for increased sales, while helping customers deliver their products on time." Universal relies on SolidWorks reseller Concurrent Technologies for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

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