This is a highly significant initiative that helps engineers to bring innovative products to market quickly, and DesignSpark Mechanical’s STL output format enables direct export of designs to 3D printers.” “The use of DesignSpark Mechanical early in the design cycle can eliminate much of the time-consuming rework associated with traditional product development processes. Engineers will love using modeling software that is so intuitive and flexible,” said Dan Stewart, vice president of marketing at Allied Electronics. “The launch of DesignSpark Mechanical is the first time a 3D design tool with this level of sophistication has been made freely available.

Not only is DesignSpark Mechanical free, its easy-to-use format allows engineers and others to get up to speed on the software within minutes as opposed to the weeks or months required to become skilled with traditional 3D CAD tools, according to the companies. Allied Electronics and its Britain-based counterpart RS Components have added to their DesignSpark online resource with DesignSpark Mechanical, a new solid 3D modeling and assembly tool available to engineers for free at Developed in conjunction with 3D modeling software provider SpaceClaim, the easy-to-use program is available in multiple languages and addresses two barriers to entry for engineers looking for 3D design tools: prohibitive cost and extensive time investment.

Designspark mechanical software