HydraForce releases new version of i-Design

HydraForce has released the latest version of its hydraulic circuit design tool. Version 3.3 of i-Design supports the trend toward higher hydraulic system pressures, smaller hydraulic “footprints” and greater global application of hydraulic manifolds and cartridge valves.

“Over the past ten years, hydraulic cartridge valves have gained market acceptance and i-Design is a tool that allows design engineers to easily experiment with different combinations of cartridge valves in a manifold to create optimal fluid control schemes for their equipment,” said David Price, Marketing Communications Manager for HydraForce. “What we’ve done in our latest version is to make our application more global by incorporating an easy-to-use symbol library and multiple language capability.”

By using internationally recognized ISO graphic symbols to depict the cartridge valves, designers now have the ability to select valves by graphic symbol or function as well as model number or description. The library has been updated to include more than 900 valves including the latest multi-function, high-pressure, and integral load-sensing cartridge valves.

Chinese language and pricing capabilities allow the design and pricing of circuits in Chinese Yuan as well as U.S. dollars and Euros. Designs can be created in English and auto-translated into Chinese, or created in Chinese and auto-translated into English. “This will support our new plant in China, as well as OEMs who are now designing equipment in China for use in the growing Asian market,” said Price.

“We’ve also incorporated design features that allow users to more accurately estimate the hydraulic ‘footprint’ of their custom manifold or Hydraulic Integrated Circuit (HIC),” he said.

The schematic layout capabilities of the software have been enhanced so the designer can rotate a complete manifold schematic from portrait to landscape view without having to redraw any labels, connecting lines, etc. Individual valves can now be built and viewed in three dimensions. Automatic port detection finds extra ports in the circuit design, helping to reduce the complexity of a manifold design. Also, a hydraulic ‘envelope viewer’ now shows the physical dimensions of a manifold block with all valves installed, allowing the designer to quickly visualize the complete assembly and make most efficient use of space.

An added benefit for the design of cartridge valve manifold solutions is the seamless integration with Automation Studio created by Famic Technologies Inc of Montreal, Quebec. By downloading the hydraulic valve library compatibility pack, users can create and modify prototype hydraulic schematics, and then model and function-test system performance specifications in Automation Studio before creating a prototype manifold.

i-Design is a hydraulic system design software that allows users to create custom integrated manifold circuits, specify valve assembly layout, and determine or assign a price for the assembly. The user can build a circuit using “drag and drop” technology to specify the location of valves, ports and mounting holes within a defined maximum dimension or “footprint.” i-Design can then generate a report that includes a bill of materials and the cost of the circuit.

To download the latest version of i-Design, go to Download Your Free Copy Of i-Design today.

HydraForce