Using pre-designed part models enables customers to try before they buy

Solid Edge helps market standard products

The use of Solid Edge® software is helping Groupe Maurin market mechanical parts by enabling customers to download electronic part models that they can then virtually “try” in their own product designs. The group consists of three companies: Émile Maurin, Michaud Chailly and Béné Inox, which together provide catalogs of more than 200,000 items including fasteners, transmission and linear guidance parts and pipe fittings marketed to industrial manufacturers throughout the world.

Many of these items are designed using Solid Edge from product lifecycle management (PLM) specialist Siemens Digital Industries Software. Solid Edge is the most complete hybrid 2D/3D CAD system that uses synchronous technology for accelerated design, faster change and improved imported re-use. Industrial designers can download and fit computer-aided design (CAD) part models created using Solid Edge into a design and determine if the part will meet their needs. If so, their company is more likely to purchase supplies of the physical part from Groupe Maurin. This “try before you buy” approach is a proven marketing strategy.

“Our goal is to simplify design for manufacturers and other buyers of technical products,” says Didier Maurin, managing director of Groupe Maurin. “We have about 200,000 industrial products in catalogs that we distribute to more than 30,000 customers, including those who use Solid Edge. We design complex products, especially fittings and valves, with Solid Edge. We also use Solid Edge to validate 3D models for our catalogs.”

Maurin says that the choice of Solid Edge dates back to 2008: “Unigraphics Solutions, the owner of Solid Edge at that time, provided modeling software that was highly regarded for its surfacing capabilities.” He notes that Solid Edge is a natural fit for Group Maurin. He explains, “Solid Edge offers a rigorous methodology for developing a consistent, long-lasting solution for our supply chain. Siemens Digital Industries Software is a market leader with a worldwide base of users and provides professional support.”

Spring clip with safety handle, horizontal flange.

Union with conical seat; stainless steel 316 L.

Providing answers to questions customers can’t articulate

Customers who come to Groupe Maurin sometimes require answers to needs that they do not necessarily know how to articulate. “We work with them to understand their needs in terms of their environment and assembly,” notes Maurin. “We can then determine the forms, types of materials, coatings and other characteristics to identify the product that best suits their needs.

“We use Solid Edge to design products, assemble components, model parts in three dimensions and conduct testing. One of the strong points of Solid Edge is 3D solid modeling, which helps us calculate and validate volumes. Being able to place parts in dynamic situations is another important advantage.“

Products can even be redesigned to improve desirable characteristics before being integrated into the company‘s catalogs. “A lot of French companies use our catalogs to find a part and associated part information,” Maurin says. “They save time because they don’t have to design every part. They can take advantage of work done by others, secure in the knowledge that each part is a true industrial-grade product. They just download the models and plug them into their assemblies. There is no duplication of work, which saves time. The customer is assured that they are using reliable data that is easily integrated into their environment, which helps lower operating costs.”

Rigid ball bearing open.

Hexagon head bolt, ISO 4014-4017-4032 class, Geomet® 500b.