NKK Switches Introduces Single-Click 3D CAD Models on Digi-Key Website

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Feb 17, 2011 -- NKK Switches, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electromechanical switches, today announced single-click 3D CAD model availability for its switches and pushbuttons on the website of top electronic components distributor Digi-Key. This new integration makes obtaining part number-specific 3D models of NKK switches as simple as downloading a data sheet, saving engineers valuable time.

NKK's 3D CAD models enable engineers to easily integrate complex models into their designs at no charge. Now with a single keystroke, engineers can download part number-specific models directly from corresponding Digi-Key product web pages. NKK is the first switch manufacturer, and one of only two electronics component manufacturers, to implement this capability on the Digi-Key website.

"One of our goals at NKK, in addition to making innovative switches of exceptional quality, is to provide tools for engineers to get the right product for their application as efficiently as possible," said Mark Wuolle, Marketing Manager, NKK Switches. "The single-click 3D CAD models of our switches now available on Digi-Key's website are one way we're working to ensure engineers have the powerful tools they need."

Powered by PARTsolutions, the leading provider of digital parts management technology and services, NKK's library of 3D CAD models contains more than 500,000 switch models, one of the industry's largest. A key advantage of these models is the ability to download the native CAD models and insert them instantly into designs, saving engineers the need to draw standard parts, thus enhancing design productivity.

Digi-Key has 3D CAD models for the majority of NKK's full product line, including the popular programmable OLED switches and displays. Other switch types include pushbuttons, toggle switches, rocker switches, tactiles, slides, rotaries, keylocks, tilt and surface mount devices.

NKK 3D CAD models are available in over 85 native and neutral CAD and graphics formats, including a variety of popular native CAD file formats such as CATIA®, Autodesk Inventor®, Pro/ENGINEER®, SolidWorks® and UGNX®, as well as universal file formats such as STEP, IGES, SAT and others.

These 3D CAD models allow current and prospective customers to graphically configure components with the sizes, features and colors they need. Once configured, the system creates high quality, native CAD data -- including accurate NKK Switches part numbers -- which is then downloadable by the engineer.

"As a leading distributor of NKK products, we're thrilled to now offer our customers direct access to NKK's 3D CAD models," said Jeff Shafer, Vice President of IP&E, Digi-Key. "We believe great service is one of the traits that set us apart from other distributors, and these 3D models enable us to provide an even higher level of service to our valued customers."

NKK Switches has been working with PARTsolutions for the past year to create 3D CAD models for the majority of the company's switches, including the popular programmable OLED switches and displays. Nearly 90 percent of the company's pushbuttons, toggle switches, rocker switches, tactiles, slides, rotaries, keylocks, tilt, surface mount and SmartSwitch product lines are available as 3D CAD models in the catalog. CAD files for remaining products are available upon request.

About Digi-Key
As one of the world's fastest growing distributors of electronic components, Digi-Key Corporation has earned its reputation as an industry leader through its total commitment to service and performance. Digi-Key is a full-service provider of both prototype/design and production quantities of electronic components, offering more than 1.8 million products from over 440 quality name-brand manufacturers. As a testament to Digi-Key's unparalleled commitment to service, North American design engineers have ranked Digi-Key number one for Overall Performance for 19 consecutive years (EE Times Distribution Study/October 2010). With global sales for 2010 surpassing $1.5 billion, Digi-Key's single location in North America is one of its greatest assets. Additional information and access to Digi-Key's broad product offering is available at www.digikey.com.

About PARTsolutions LLC
PARTsolutions LLC is the leading provider of PLM solutions for next generation 3D part catalog management and hosting, delivering solutions since 1992. For large manufacturers, the PARTsolutions product suite provides centralized 3D standard part catalogs making it easy for global design teams to find, reuse, and control standard and proprietary 3D parts. For component manufacturers, the PARTsolutions product suite provides web hosting of 3D part catalogs to increase lead generation, and to ensure that components get "designed in" to OEM products. The PARTsolutions CAD-Native advantage provides support of over 85 native and neutral CAD and graphics formats to meet the needs of your multi-CAD environment or supply chain. The PARTsolutions product suite maximizes support of your reuse and standardization initiatives to deliver measurable business growth through maximizing standard part reuse to get products to market faster with reduced cost. Information about PARTsolutions can be found at www.partsolutions.com.

About NKK Switches
A leading designer and producer of electromechanical switches, NKK Switches offers one of the industry's most extensive selections of illuminated, process sealed, miniature, specialty, surface mount and programmable switches. NKK manufactures more than 3.5 million toggle, rocker, pushbutton, slide, rotary, DIP rotary, keypad and keylock switches, each of which can be used as the foundation of a customized design. All switches are designed and manufactured to provide the quality and dependability that has made NKK the benchmark for reliability for over half a century.

NKK continues to lead the industry in responding to the needs of the marketplace with innovation, high reliability, customization and a commitment to excellence. The company provides a full suite of customization solutions that include: design; programming; printing; and support. Downloadable 3D CAD models of the company's switches are available, allowing design engineers to quickly integrate complex models into their designs at no charge. NKK maintains a complete network of qualified representatives and distributors through the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.

Engineers who design the human-machine interface for their products rely on the broad product line, specialized design expertise and customer support of NKK Switches. For more information, contact NKK Switches, 7850 E. Gelding Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Phone: (480) 991-0942. Fax: (480) 998-1435. Visit the NKK Web site at www.nkkswitches.com.

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For more information, contact:
Chris Walker 
Connect Public Relations
480-366-6015

Debbie Martin
NKK Switches 
480-991-0942 

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