Table of contents

1 News

1.1 2006-03-16

1.2 2006-02-23

1.3 2005-07-01

1.4 2004-07-29

1.5 2003-11-12

1.6 2003-06-10

1.7 2003-04-14

1.8 2002-12-27

1.9 2002-10-05

1 News

2006-03-16 UCP Spare parts catalog online (=> 1.1)

With UCP Processing Ltd. located in Liechtenstein, CPTec have gained another customer for their spare parts catalog software. UCP is a leading manufacturer for plasma cleaning systems in the semiconductor back-end field. more... (=> 1.1)

2006-02-23 New tool SPCat-OCR for recognition of item numbers in CAD drawings presented (=> 1.2)

Setting hyperlinks between the parts list and the related item numbers in technical drawings ("hotspots") is one of the most time-consuming steps in the production of electronic spare parts catalogs. SPCat-OCR supports the user by identifying the item numbers in pixel graphics. more... (=> 1.2)

2005-07-01 New software tools make production of spare parts catalogs easier (=> 1.3)

Conversion of graphic files and positioning of hyperlinks between the parts list items and the parts drawing ("hotspots") are among the most labor-intensive steps when creating an electronic spare parts catalog. For users of the SPCat Spare Parts Catalog software, the production of catalogs will now become even more convenient. Two new programs assist the SPCat user when creating a catalog. more... (=> 1.3)

2004-07-29 BMB AG opts for SPCat spare parts catalog software (=> 1.4)

Bachofen + Meier AG in Bülach, market leader in the field of converting systems for production and processing of foil, paper and cardboard, opts for the spare parts catalog software by CPTec. The Swiss company is a member of the Kroenert concern and plans, manufactures and supplies complete production systems for the refinement of paper, cardboard, plastic foil and aluminum foil and develops innovative solutions for coating technology. more... (=> 1.4)

2003-11-12 CPTec Spare Parts Catalog software features Open Catalog Interface (OCI) and allows integration into SAP portals (=> 1.5)

The CPTec Spare Parts Catalog software now features the Open Catalog Interface (OCI) which allows integration into SAP portals. After logging into the SAP portal, the user can call up the SQLCat spare parts catalog. more... (=> 1.5)

2003-06-10 Spare parts catalog software by CPTec supports the SVG format and features a stepless zoom function for pixel graphics (=> 1.6)

The CPTec spare parts catalog versions SPCat 6.5b and SQLCat 1.1, which will be released in July, will now support the display of SVG graphics. more... (=> 1.6)

2003-04-14 DocuCat available (=> 1.7)

The first version of the CD catalog module DocuCat is now available. DocuCat presents the spare parts catalog, operating instructions, OEM manuals and service instructions of a system within the framework of the familiar SPCat user interface. more... (=> 1.7)

2002-12-27 Unaxis Balzers AG relies on "Integrated Documentation" from CPTec (=> 1.8)

Unaxis Balzers AG, a globally operating and leading supplier of equipment in the fields of semiconductor technology, data storage and displays, relies on the SPCat and SQLCat tools for publication of its system documentation. more... (=> 1.8)

2002-10-05 SPCat Version 6 available (=> 1.9)

Version 6 of the parts catalog software SPCat has been released now. Some of the new features are: Even more powerful search routines, options to configure the user interface, and an updated documentation which describes all software updates since version 5 in detail. more... (=> 1.9)

1.1 UCP Spare parts catalog online

Munich, 2006-03-16

With UCP Processing Ltd.[1] located in Liechtenstein, CPTec have gained another customer for their spare parts catalog software. UCP is a leading manufacturer for plasma cleaning systems in the semiconductor back-end field.

As of today, UCP customers may visit the website www.ucpgroup.com/spareparts[2] where they can view spare parts catalogs for their products, identify the required parts, and order them online.

The spare parts catalogs are created using the SPCat software and then published for the Internet using SQLCat[3]. Access to the catalog data is restricted to UCP customers and requires input of a user name and a password.

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany

Tel. +49-89-614542-10
Fax +49-89-614542-29
Email info@cptec.org[4]

External links:

1.2 New tool SPCat-OCR for recognition of item numbers in CAD drawings presented

Munich, 2006-02-23

Setting hyperlinks between the parts list and the related item numbers in technical drawings ("hotspots") is one of the most time-consuming steps in the production of electronic spare parts catalogs. SPCat-OCR supports the user by identifying the item numbers in pixel graphics.

SPCat-OCR

The SPCat-OCR software uses previously specified patterns in order to identify item numbers in CAD drawings that are supplied in a pixel graphics format (e.g. TIFF). The results are stored in a separate XML file for each drawing and can be imported into the SPCat spare parts catalog software later on.

SPCat-OCR can achieve very high recognition rates if it is configured carefully. In this case, the fraction of numbers that are recognized incorrectly or not at all is typically less than 1 %. Even critical digits such as 1 and 7 or numbers that are enclosed in a circle/box are recognized properly.

SPCat-OCR ist is a stand-alone application and does not require any additional software. Batch processing has been implemented for automatic processing of drawing archives.

Preparations and configuration

In order to configure the recognition process, the pattens to be recognized are assorted in a sample file and marked by means of the SPCat link editor. For successful identification of the item numbers, several recognition parameters can be optimized for each sample file.

Recognition process

Based on the entries in a batch manager, several drawing archives can be processed by application of various sample files. The user can specify the priority of the SPCat-OCR process with respect to other Windows applications. If the recognition process is running in the background with low priority, you may continue working with other applications in the foreground. The recognition process itself does not require any intervention by the user.

Platform and system requirements

The program has been developed for .Net Framework 1.1 using C#. It requires at least Windows NT 4.0 with installed .Net Framework 1.1 for operation. The recommended hardware is a PC with 1 GByte RAM and a 3 GHz Intel CPU.

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München

Tel. 089/614542-10
Fax 089/614542-29
Email info@cptec.org[1]

External links:

1.3 New software tools make production of spare parts catalogs easier

Munich, 2005-07-01

Conversion of graphic files and positioning of hyperlinks between the parts list items and the parts drawing ("hotspots") are among the most labor-intensive steps when creating an electronic spare parts catalog. For users of the SPCat Spare Parts Catalog software, the production of catalogs will now become even more convenient. Two new programs assist the SPCat user when creating a catalog.

SPCat TIFF Batch Converter

With just one step for the user, a pixel based graphics file is converted to all file formats that are required for import into SPCat. The program distinguishes between CAD drawings and photographs and automatically selects the appropriate target format for the detected type of graphic. 

Additional options allow you to remove white borders or to enhance lines in CAD drawings for improved display. The batch converter is a stand-alone application. It runs without SPCat and does not require any additional software for processing of the graphics files.

SPCat Link Editor

The new tool is integrated into SPCat. It displays the parts list of a selected component next to the related drawing. You can position hotspots by dragging an item of the parts list onto the drawing and then dropping it (drag & drop). Several functions assist the user for quick manual creation of hyperlinks (infinitely variable zoom, automatic and precise vertical or horizontal alignment of hotspots with respect to each other).

The Link Editor is also available as a stand-alone application running without SPCat. In this case, the hotspot information for a graphic is stored in a separate file. Later on, this information can be imported into the SPCat database. 

This way, the process of creating hotspots is fully independent from the other steps required for creating a catalog. Optionally, the spare parts catalog can output the information stored in the parts list. This information will be available automatically when creating hyperlinks. 

Manual creation of hyperlinks or editing of hyperlinks via SPCat Link Editor may become necessary if automatic recognition of hotspots is not possible or if automatic processing is not worth the effort.

Both programs have been developed for .Net Framework 1.1 using C#. They run under Windows NT 4.0 (2000, XP, 2003) and require .Net Framework 1.1.

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany

Tel. +49-89-614542-10
Fax +49-89-614542-29
Email info@cptec.org[1]

External links:

1.4 BMB AG opts for SPCat spare parts catalog software

Munich - Bülach (CH), 2004-07-29

Bachofen + Meier AG[1] in Bülach, market leader in the field of converting systems for production and processing of foil, paper and cardboard, opts for the spare parts catalog software by CPTec. The Swiss company is a member of the Kroenert concern[2] and plans, manufactures and supplies complete production systems for the refinement of paper, cardboard, plastic foil and aluminum foil and develops innovative solutions for coating technology. 

Silicone-adhesives coating line for simultaneous lamination of raw label material.

Arno Zindel, project manager at BMB AG: "I have already been using the SPCat software[3] some time ago and was convinced by its ease of use. SPCat does not only allow you to process automated parts lists from ERP systems, but you may also create and edit spare parts catalogs "by hand". This is very important for us because we want to integrate a large amount of supplier data in our catalog, and this information may come in a large variety of data formats and often lacks a clear structure."

For the current pilot project, parts lists of the BMB AG and its suppliers are united to a hierarchical spare parts catalog and complemented by CAD drawings. On-site support is provided by Artech Ltd.[4] in Liechtenstein. Its local proximity to the BMB AG ensures fast and optimum support. 

For information on CPTec GmbH visit our website www.cptec.org[5].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany
Phone: +49-89-614542-10
Fax: +49-89-614542-29
Email: info@cptec.org[6]

External links:

1.5 CPTec Spare Parts Catalog software features Open Catalog Interface (OCI) and allows integration into SAP portals

Munich, 2003-11-12

The CPTec Spare Parts Catalog software now features the Open Catalog Interface (OCI) which allows integration into SAP portals. After logging into the SAP portal, the user can call up the SQLCat spare parts catalog. The required spare parts can now be located using SQLCat's convenient view and search routines and afterwards be stored in a basket. The contents of the basket are reported back to the SAP portal. The portal receives the data and adds information retrieved from SAP such as availability and price. The result may e.g. be processed as a spare parts inquiry or an order in SAP.

Further information:
Erschließung neuer Potenziale im Maschinenbau mit E-Service-Portalen (PDF 3.3 MB, german language)[1]; Talk given by Axentiv AG and Leybold Optics GmbH at the SAP Conference on Business Portals and Integration Technology.

For information on CPTec GmbH visit our website www.cptec.de[2].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany
Phone: +49-89-614542-10
Fax: +49-89-614542-29
Email: info@cptec.org[3]

External links:

1.6 Spare parts catalog software by CPTec supports the SVG format and features a stepless zoom function for pixel graphics

Munich, 2003-06-10

The CPTec spare parts catalog versions SPCat 6.5b and SQLCat 1.1, which will be released in July, will now support the display of SVG graphics. 

Both the CD version SPCat and the internet version SQLCat utilize the freely available SVG Viewer[1] by Adobe Systems Inc. for display of graphics. Hyperlink and hotspot features of the catalogs will work in the usual way. When implementing the software, special attention was paid to ensure a uniform and easy-to-use catalog GUI. As an example, clicking the right mouse button will call up the context menu of the Adobe SVG Viewer offering additional graphics related catalog functions.

Further features of SPCat and SQLCat become evident when displaying pixel graphics. These graphics can now be zoomed continuously and displayed in high quality for each zoom factor thanks to an anti-alias function.

The extensive use of the freely available Adobe SVG Viewer in catalog applications marks another step forward in CPTec's strategy to utilize reasonably-priced standard solutions when implementing software functions.

For further information on CPTec visit our website www.cptec.org[2].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Tel. 089/614542-10
Fax 089/614542-29
Email info@cptec.org[3]

External links:

1.7 DocuCat available

Munich, 2003-04-14

The first version of the CD catalog module DocuCat is now available. DocuCat presents the spare parts catalog, operating instructions, OEM manuals and service instructions of a system within the framework of the familiar SPCat user interface. To this end, document types and document contents are separated hierarchically and then combined in a database. In addition, DocuCat allows to create links within the individual information units.

The user may use a treeview as well as hyperlinks for navigation. The following document types can be published with the current version: Parts Catalog The functionality of this section is equivalent to the CD Spare Parts Catalog. more...[1] Service Instructions Maintenance task information is listed in a treeview with respect to the interval groups. Any information which is linked to a maintenance task (required spare parts, OEM manual, relevant section in the operating instructions) can be displayed right away via a mouse click in a navigator bar. Operating Instructions Operating instructions are embedded in the HTML format or the PDF format. In the case of HTML, the chapter structure of the source is forwarded to the treeview. Any information which is linked to a chapter/section (service instructions, spare part, OEM manual) can be displayed right away via a mouse click in a navigator bar. OEM Documentation The documentation on OEM products is listed with respect to the manufacturer and to the product name. Any information linked with an OEM manual (spare part, service instructions, chapter/section in the operating instructions) can be displayed right away via a mouse click in a navigator bar. The striking features of this complete solution are easy operation, clarity and convenient search functions. On one single CD, the entire system documentation is available in electronic format to service personnel.

  
For further information on CPTec visit our website www.cptec.org[2].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Tel. 089/614542-10
Fax 089/614542-29
Email info@cptec.org[3]

External links:

1.8 Unaxis Balzers AG relies on "Integrated Documentation" by CPTec

Munich - Trübbach (FL), 2002-12-27

Unaxis Balzers AG[1], a globally operating and leading supplier of equipment in the fields of semiconductor technology, data storage and displays, relies on the SPCat and SQLCat tools for publication of its system documentation.

For this purpose, the operating instructions, spare parts catalog, OEM manuals and the electrical documentation of a single system are combined in a database. A standardized user interface is used for publishing on CD and on the Internet. This allows convenient access of the different document types and the related information units which are linked with each other. Both a treeview and hyperlinks are available for navigation. An additional interface to a diagnostic system enables time-saving preventive maintenance.

The outstanding features of this solution are easy operation, global search routines, and the integration of a diagnostic system. These features are expected to significantly improve two of the most critical figures of merit in the service field, namely the MTTR "Mean Time To Repair" and the MTBF "Mean Time Between Failure".

For further information on CPTec visit our website www.cptec.org[2].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany
Phone: +49-89-614542-10
Fax: +49-89-614542-29
Email: info@spcat.de[3]

External links:

1.9 SPCat Version 6 available

Munich, 2002-10-05

Version 6 of the SPCat spare parts catalog software is now available. New features are mainly found in the user interface, search operations, graphics, and in the authoring tools:

User interface

The user interface is now divided into three areas (treeview, parts list, picture/detail view), and each area can be configured by the end user with regard to the displayed information.

The parts list is displayed optionally below the picture/detail view and can be configured freely with regard to the displayed fields. It displays the subparts of the component which has been selected in the treeview. In addition to the treeview and to hyperlinks in pictures, the parts list may also be used for navigation (=> 2.2.5).

The entire concept of operation is fully up-to-date: All functions and settings are performed dynamically now, and there is no need for restarting the program after the configuration has been changed. Dialog and list windows may be used in conjunction with previously opened windows of programs running in the background. Colors and font sizes can be selected.

Search operations

The search operations have been extended significantly with regard to the search result display, the spare parts identification, and to preventive maintenance. Results may now be displayed in a table (=> 2.2.6) as well as in a treeview (=> 2.2.6).

Graphics

A number of drawings including hyperlinks may now be assigned to any component or individual part. If more than one drawing is assigned to a component, a preview of these drawings (thumbnails) can be displayed.

Authoring tools

The day-to-day use of our software has lead to a number of refinements which speed up the typical tasks performed by an author. As an example, it is now possible to edit or move a selection of parts or components at the same time. And it is possible to assign access rights to the catalog fields separately for the end user and for the editor.

For further information on CPTec visit our website www.cptec.org[1].

Contact:
Dr. Kurt Schopper
CPTec GmbH
Brienner Str. 54
D-80333 München
Germany
Phone: +49-89-614542-10
Fax: +49-89-614542-29
Email: info@cptec.org[2]

External links: