Implementation Requirements for Electronic Standard Component Catalogues

Abstract

The majority of information regarding standard components is currently delivered to the engineering designer in paper-based catalogues. These generally contain performance and physical data together with methods for selecting the appropriate component. When engineers are engaged in a design problem requiring the use of a standard component, they are faced with mantially searching the catalogues and carrying out calculations by hand. The tedious and time consuming nature of this activity frequently means a nonoptimal component is chosen on the grounds that it has been used before. Computer aided selection of components seeks to improve the efficiency in this situation, with the aim of providing access in an unbiased way to the most appropriate item. Experience has shown that this does not just mean the implementation of selection algorithms; the user is looking for a wide range of facilities in the ‘electronic catalogue’. Yet the increasing number of packages that are now available are widely deficient. This paper aims to set out the requirements for comprehensiveness for what will be the delivery medium for standard component information in the next decade.