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Abstract
Mechanically intensive products are now being infused with electronic controls. Mechanical designers replacing complex mechanical control systems with simpler, more reliable electronics need integrated mechanical computer-aided engineering/electronic design automation (MCAD/EDA), as do electronic engineers trying to more completely simulate product functions before building prototypes. Allen-Bradley, a leading maker of industrial motor controls, offers smart motor controls, programmable logic controllers, and user interface screens. The firm uses software from Mentor Graphics for all its printed circuit board (PCB) design work and Pro/Engineer from Parametric Technology Corp. for mechanical packaging. Even products that appear to require nothing more than simple electromechnical design require more sophisticated techniques. Hill-Rom Corp. uses a host of Intergraph systems and software, from industrial design and modeling, to analysis and CAM, to publishing and PCB design and layout.