General functionality

With the Design Tool it is possible to add a factory layout to a layout. A factory layout could be either a drawing created in a CAD tool or an image representing the factory. This blueprint will be shown in the 3D PDF's or in drawings and can b...

To measure distances on a layout in the 3D world the Measure tool is used, in combination with the Reference types feature (snap filter) in the Measure panel window. Two endpoints are defined and the result is presented as the straight dis...

Chain or slide rail configurations can easily be copied from one conveyor to other conveyors with a few clicks. Design Tool uses same command labeling as other Microsoft tools, where configurations are painted from one part to another. Copy ch...

This article shows how a layout can be exported into various other tools. The tool has been streamlined so it can be used with other FlexLink tools in a simple process to keep the manual labor to a minimum. Exporting the layout can either export a B...

The Design Tool can move or rotate one or several components through handles that are displayed in the 3D view. The handles can be enabled through the Action menu that is shown when a component is clicked.  The manipulation handles can ro...

There are several ways to adjust the length of a beam component in the 3D world. One method is to use the Interact feature in the Manipulation group in the Home tab. When Interact is switched on it is possible to change the length by dragging w...

A conveyor layout with a vertical conveyor in the middle can sometimes be tricky to create if the conveyor is built from two directions. The solution in this situation is to connect the ends with a vertical beam by using the Quick adjust tool. C...

Here's a list of shortcut key combinations in the Design Tool.  Key combination Description CTRL+N New layout CTRL+O Open (File) CTRL+S Save (or Save as) CTRL+P Print DEL Delete the selected components Ctrl+C...

Geometries and floorplans exported from CAD software like AutoCAD, Inventor and Solid Works can be imported in FlexLink Design Tool by using the features in the Layout/Import group. To prevent and avoid performance issues it’s recomme...

A screenshot from the FlexLink Design Tool 3D-world can be very useful as additional information in design discussions and quotation documents. To get the highest possible quality, there are a few settings and features that is important to know abou...

Several types of components in a Design Tool layout have an electrical frequency property. This property has the value of either 50 Hz or 60 Hz and is set on layout level. It can't be set individually in the component property panel. The most co...

The pallet size in a pallet system is set on conveyor level. All components in a pallet system get the same pallet size information and are automatically configured, including simulation components. However, it's also possible to create a layout...

With the release of Design Tool version 2.5 it is possible to group several parts together. With grouped parts it becomes easier to move parts around in the 3D world. To group several parts, select them and then click on Home->Grouping->Group...

There are several methods to position a subsequent conveyor in FlexLink Design Tool. I.e. position an idler end unit at a specific distance from an end drive unit. Manual positioning by entering coordinates values in the Component Properties Pane...

The Conveyor Properties feature on the Conveyor tab displays the specific general information for the selected conveyor. Besides the read only properties in the panel, optional name, color and description can be applied to the conveyor. One sol...

Design Tool 3.0 supports Virtual Reality* and 3D viewer by Visual Components Experience. After you’ve designed your layout, you record and export an animation, just as you would record a simulation video. This creates a special (.vcax) file, ...

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