Electrocomponents : RS Components reveals wide industry acceptance of DesignSpark Mechanical with 200,000 user activations of free-for-download 3D design software

Innovative 3D solid modelling DesignSpark tool reaches major milestone with fast growth continuing

Oxford, UK, 20 December 2016 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, today announced that user activations of DesignSpark Mechanical (DSM), the company's free-for-download fully featured 3D modelling and design tool, has now reached a cumulative total of 200,000. In addition to reaching this major milestone, the volume of total activations of the software is continuing to increase at a rate of between four and five percent per month.

Developed in conjunction with SpaceClaim, the leading provider of flexible and affordable 3D modelling software for engineers, DesignSpark Mechanical is a key tool in the RS DesignSpark initiative to provide engineers with resources that enable them to rapidly develop prototypes in the product concept design stage. Originally launched in late 2013 with a second version offering new functionality introduced the following year, the software is also available with extended professional engineering options, which turns it into a highly capable and very low cost 3D CAD solution.

'DesignSpark Mechanical is a powerful 3D solid modelling tool that has rapidly been accepted by professionals, students and the maker communities, who have found enormous utility in the tool, enabling them to quickly develop 3D prototypes and bring their concepts and products to market in a very fast time,' said Mike Brojak, Head of DesignSpark Customer Solutions at RS. 'Meeting this milestone is another hallmark of success for our DesignSpark initiative, which empowers engineers and designers in the maker community and from the smallest start-up to large organisations.'

DesignSpark Mechanical is available for free download at www.designspark.com/mechanical. Support can be found via the DesignSpark community at www.designspark.com.

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About RS Components
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the global distributor for engineers. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 500,000 products through the internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping more than 44,000 parcels a day. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronic components, electrical, automation and control, and test and measurement equipment, and engineering tools and consumables.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2016 had revenues of £1.29bn.

For more information, please visit the website at www.rs-online.com.

Editorial Contact
Aakriti Kaushik
PR Manager - EMEA
RS Components
Aakriti.Kaushik@rs-components.com
+44 (0)7795 400651

PR Agency Contact
Janice Fenton
Account Director
Publitek Technology PR
janice.fenton@publitek.com
+44 (0)1225 470000

Further information is available via these links:
Twitter: @RSComponents; @alliedelec; @designsparkRS
RS Components on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Electrocomponents plc
www.electrocomponents.com
RS Components
www.rs-online.com
DesignSpark
www.designspark.com