Hi all,

I'm a newbie on this forum, I am a fluid power consultant based in the UK and have worked in the industry for 30 years - and still need to learn about this fascinating field of engineering.
My question - software for hydraulic schematics, we have been using 2d packages for years now - making up our own symbol libraries and generally winging it - but does anybody know of a good software package that does a bit more, maybe a bit of analysis, for a sensible price?

Try this web site for a package that looks good and is free.

http://www.hydraforce.com/News/i-Design/i-Design.htm

Famic out of France has a program that makes thir schematics operate and will show circuit problems and even stop when the circuit is not right, Hwever, it is $1,495.00.

You can also use MSWord's drawing program and make schematics up to "D" size (24" X 36"}

There is a set of symbols for Word that can be downloaded from the home page of this forum also.

You can see some Ebooks I put togeter using Word at:
http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/eBooks/

Eric,

We also have Automation Studio hydraulic simulation software and Matlab hydraulic toolbox for simulation.

Please have a look at these on web-site. Probably we might get a free download too for education purposes.

AKB.

..thanks for the input guys - I will check them out and report back.

E

I was wondering is it worth creating system schematics in MS Visio or AutoCAD (maybe even MS Word will do)?
As far as I know Visio has a handy feature - "sticky" connection lines between the elements of the circuit. You don't have to worry reconnecting the lines after moving around the elements of the circuit.
I use AutoCAD now. Anyone using Visio?

Gabor wrote:

quote:

Anyone using Visio?

I have VISIO and tried the program once. This was after I was so used to using Word and the added features were not anything I needed so I only use it now to do a DXF copy for someone who wants to have it in AUTOCAD.

I first used word to do some Fluid Power training books and ended up with all the symbols and other items so now I'm stuck wit it. It also moves into the other MicroSoft software so easily.

Thanks Bud.
I think I'll stay with AutoCAD, because that's what I know the most.
Even drawing a triangle would be a torture for me using MS Word, because of the unusual layout and functionality of drawing tools in Word. I believe once you get used to it, it does the job as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud T:
Try this web site for a package that looks good and is free.

http://www.hydraforce.com/News/i-Design/i-Design.htm

Famic out of France has a program that makes thir schematics operate and will show circuit problems and even stop when the circuit is not right, Hwever, it is $1,495.00.

You can also use MSWord's drawing program and make schematics up to "D" size (24" X 36"}

There is a set of symbols for Word that can be downloaded from the home page of this forum also.

You can see some Ebooks I put togeter using Word at:
http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/eBooks/

Hi!

Can that software be also used for drawing pneumatics circuits??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mikares,

Yes

quote:

Automation Studio

OK. Thanks.
Bud, did you try Automation Studio software? If so, whic are the differences between both?

Automation Studio can be used to draw schemtics for hydraulic and pneumatic circuits but it's way too expensive for that use.

Its main use is for ANIMATING CIRCUITS to see if they will perform as designed before assembling the hardware.

Like a lot of Fluid Power Software it is high priced since only a few can design circuts so sales are not in the high numbers.

There is a Student package I believe.

I made the symbols for MSWord since its drawing program is simple and almost everyone has Word. It is easy to send schematics electronically to a customer and know that they have the software to view and print it.

It makes documentation quite simple also. I did a lot of schematic documentation that showed the symbols shifted to their next operating condition and had color coded lines to show flow. On the facing page was an explanation of how the circuit should perform to assist in narrowing down the culprit component.

That makes it easier for an untrained person to trouble shoot a machine that quit operating and all the simple fixes didn't alleviate the problem.

quote:

Fluid Power Software

Thanks Bud